T20 World Cup Warm-Up: Zimbabwe, Oman Shine in Early Tests - Live Cricket Scores

T20 World Cup warm-up matches delivered early excitement as Zimbabwe, Nepal, and Oman recorded strong wins ahead of the main tournament. The practice games in Sri Lanka and India offered valuable insights into team form, strategy, and player fitness as the world’s best sides prepare for the February 7 start. Zimbabwe’s solid all-round performance, Nepal’s dominant chase, and Oman’s surprise win over Sri Lanka A all reinforced that the road to the T20 World Cup will be fiercely competitive.

T20 World Cup Warm-Up: Zimbabwe Beat Netherlands by 29 Runs

Zimbabwe produced a confident all-round display to beat the Netherlands by 29 runs in their opening T20 World Cup warm-up game at the Premadasa Stadium. The match offered a clear reminder that Zimbabwe’s squad is capable of competing aggressively against higher-ranked teams, especially in key areas such as middle-order batting and seam bowling.

Ryan Burl Leads Zimbabwe’s Batting Charge

Batting first, Zimbabwe posted a competitive 178 for 9, largely thanks to Ryan Burl’s quickfire half-century. Burl scored 50 off 31 balls, striking six fours and showing the kind of composure and timing that can be crucial in the T20 World Cup. Alongside him, Dion Myers contributed a useful 32, helping Zimbabwe build a total that proved difficult for the Netherlands to chase.

Netherlands Fight Back Late but Fall Short

The Netherlands faced a tough chase and managed only 149, getting all out on the final delivery of the match. Logan van Beek stood out for the Dutch side, taking 3 for 22 in three overs and providing a late surge with a 31-ball 40 that included three towering sixes. However, the Dutch effort was not enough to overcome Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling.

Richard Ngarava and Graeme Cremer Star with the Ball

Zimbabwe’s opening bowler Richard Ngarava was the pick of the bowlers, delivering an excellent spell of 3 for 11. His ability to swing the new ball and hit the right areas made early inroads into the Dutch batting lineup. Leg-spinner Graeme Cremer supported the attack by taking 2 for 15, ensuring Zimbabwe maintained control during the middle overs.

The T20 World Cup warm-up win will boost Zimbabwe’s confidence as they head into the tournament, particularly with their seamers showing form and their batting lineup displaying depth.

Nepal Crush UAE in Chennai Warm-Up

In another warm-up fixture, Nepal dominated UAE by seven wickets at the Chepauk in Chennai. The match highlighted Nepal’s growing strength in T20 cricket, especially in terms of middle-order stability and the ability to chase under pressure.

UAE Post Below-Par Total

UAE’s batting lineup struggled to build momentum and managed only 145 for 6. Sohaib Khan top-scored with 38, but the UAE lacked consistent partnerships. Nepal’s bowlers Sandeep Lamichhane and Karan KC took two wickets each, helping restrict the total and keep Nepal in control throughout the game.

Airee and Sheikh Stage Unbeaten 103-Run Stand

Nepal’s chase began shakily, with the team reduced to 45 for 3 after early dismissals of key batters Kushal Bhurtel and captain Rohit Paudel. However, Dipendra Singh Airee and Aarif Sheikh responded with a calm, composed, and aggressive partnership. The pair put together an unbeaten 103-run stand for the third wicket, guiding Nepal to victory in just 17 overs.

Airee scored 50 not out off 31 balls, while Sheikh finished unbeaten on 61 off 37. Together, they hit 12 fours and three sixes, proving Nepal’s ability to rebuild and accelerate under pressure. This win sends a strong message ahead of the T20 World Cup that Nepal will not be an easy opponent for any team.

Oman Shock Sri Lanka A in Colombo

Oman’s warm-up victory over Sri Lanka A at the Colombo Colts Club ground was one of the biggest surprises of the day. The win demonstrated Oman’s growing capabilities in international cricket and showcased their potential to upset more established teams during the T20 World Cup build-up.

Sri Lanka A Struggle to Build Partnerships

Sri Lanka A managed only 145 for 9 after being put into bat. Oman’s bowlers applied consistent pressure, with Shah Faisal, Shakeel Ahmed, and Jay Odedra each taking two wickets. Sri Lanka A struggled to build meaningful partnerships, leaving their total below par for a chase in the T20 World Cup warm-up context.

Aamir Kaleem’s Match-Winning Knock

Oman’s chase was led by Aamir Kaleem, who played a commanding unbeaten innings of 80 off 47 balls. Kaleem struck eight fours and three sixes, guiding Oman to victory with two overs to spare. His performance was a strong reminder that Oman’s batting depth and experience can challenge even the most seasoned teams in the T20 World Cup format.

What These Warm-Up Wins Mean for the T20 World Cup

The warm-up games have provided early indicators of team form and player readiness ahead of the T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe’s win over the Netherlands highlighted the value of strong seam bowling and middle-order resilience. Nepal’s dominant chase showed that their batting lineup can handle pressure and accelerate when needed. Oman’s surprise victory over Sri Lanka A underlined that emerging teams are capable of competing at the highest level.

Teams Will Use Warm-Ups to Finalize Strategies

For many teams, these warm-up matches are about more than just winning. Coaches and captains use them to test combinations, assess pitch conditions, and fine-tune plans for the T20 World Cup. In particular, teams will look closely at how their bowling units handle powerplay overs and death-overs, and how batters respond to spin-heavy conditions in subcontinental venues.

Early Momentum Can Build Confidence

Winning warm-up games can also build momentum and confidence. Zimbabwe, Nepal, and Oman have now gained valuable match practice and a psychological edge that could be important once the tournament begins. The T20 World Cup often comes down to small margins, and teams that enter the event with momentum may find it easier to handle pressure situations.

Looking Ahead: What to Watch in the Next Warm-Up Fixtures

As the T20 World Cup approaches, fans can expect more competitive warm-up matches featuring top teams and rising nations. Key areas to watch include:

How teams manage spin-heavy conditions in India and Sri Lanka
The form of key batters and strike bowlers
The effectiveness of powerplay strategies and death-overs bowling
How emerging teams like Oman and Nepal continue to develop

These warm-up fixtures provide a preview of what promises to be an intense and unpredictable T20 World Cup. With teams testing their best combinations and players pushing for form, the tournament is shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions yet.

Final Warm-Up Score Summary

Zimbabwe 178/9 (Ryan Burl 50) vs Netherlands 149 all out (Ngarava 3/11)
UAE 145/6 vs Nepal 146/3 (Airee 50*, Sheikh 61*)
Sri Lanka A 145/9 vs Oman 146/5 (Kaleem 80*)

Written by 8jjsports.com News Desk | February 4, 2026
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