Australia stroll past Oman to wrap up campaign

The Australian cricket team finished its campaign at the T20 World Cup 2026 with a nine-wicket victory over Oman in its fourth and final Group B match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka, on Friday.

Electing to bowl first, world No. 3 Australia skittled out 20th-ranked Oman for 104 in 16.2 overs. Adam Zampa, Australia’s top wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup history, spearheaded the bowling effort with figures of 4/21.

Australia made light work of their 105-run chase, motoring to 108/1 in just 9.4 overs with captain Mitchell Marsh scoring an unbeaten 64 off 33 to lead the assault.

Despite the win, it was the end of the road for the 2021 T20 World Cup champions, who failed to qualify for the Super 8 after losing to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in their earlier group games. They beat Ireland in their Group B opener.

On Friday, Australia found an early reward when Xavier Bartlett struck with his first ball, shaping one back through Aamir Kaleem.

Nathan Ellis joined in soon after, jagging one back to remove Karan Sonavale before Bartlett cleaned up Jatinder Singh to leave Oman at 39/3 inside five overs.

Despite a short-lived counterattack from Hammad Mirza and Wasim Ali, Oman could not rebuild their innings with leg-spinner Adam Zampa taking charge in the middle overs.

Zampa’s mix of skid and drift beat Hammad, trapped Mohammad Nadeem LBW and later removed Shakeel Ahmed and Shafiq Jan in successive deliveries to finish the innings.

Glenn Maxwell also added to the squeeze, picking up 2/13, including the crucial wicket of Wasim Ali.

Australia’s response was explosive from the outset, with Marsh powering to a 26-ball half-century. His innings was studded with seven fours and four sixes. Marsh’s clean ball-striking also set the tone as Australia blasted 73 without loss in the powerplay.

Travis Head complemented the skipper with a brisk 32 off 19 balls, striking six boundaries before falling to a return catch off Shakeel Ahmed. It was Oman’s lone breakthrough.

By then, however, Australia were already in cruise control and chased down the target with 62 balls to spare.

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