The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up games on February 3 delivered strong performances from Zimbabwe, Nepal, and Oman, as teams fine-tuned their preparations ahead of the main tournament in India and Sri Lanka.
Zimbabwe Beat Netherlands in Colombo
Zimbabwe registered an impressive 29-run victory over the Netherlands at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Batting first, Zimbabwe posted a competitive total after a solid middle-order effort.
Ryan Burl played a key role with a fluent unbeaten half-century, steadying the innings after early wickets. Dion Myers also provided momentum with a quick cameo, helping Zimbabwe reach a challenging score.
In response, the Netherlands struggled to build partnerships. Early dismissals put them on the back foot, and despite some late resistance, they were bowled out before reaching the target. Zimbabwe’s pace attack, led by Richard Ngarava, kept the pressure on throughout the innings.
Nepal Cruise Past UAE in Chennai
Nepal continued their strong run with a seven-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Chasing a modest total, Nepal’s batters showed excellent control and composure.
Dipendra Singh Airee and Aarif Sheikh anchored the chase with unbeaten half-centuries, forming a match-winning partnership. Their aggressive but calculated approach ensured Nepal crossed the line comfortably with plenty of overs to spare.
Earlier, Nepal’s bowlers restricted UAE by picking up key wickets at regular intervals, preventing them from posting a bigger total.
Oman Upset Sri Lanka A
Oman pulled off a confident five-wicket victory against Sri Lanka A in Colombo. After limiting Sri Lanka A to a manageable total, Oman’s batting unit delivered a strong chase.
Aamir Kaleem was the standout performer, playing a dominant innings to guide Oman home. His aggressive stroke play took the game away from Sri Lanka A, while support from the middle order ensured there were no late hiccups.
What This Means for T20 World Cup 2026
These warm-up results give Zimbabwe, Nepal, and Oman a major confidence boost ahead of the tournament. Their performances highlight the growing competitiveness of associate and emerging cricket nations.
With the main event approaching, teams will look to fine-tune combinations, test bench strength, and build momentum before the group-stage matches begin.