The Ireland vs Oman T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights will be remembered as the night Ireland found their rhythm in Colombo. Batting first on a used surface, Ireland posted a commanding 176/5, powered by a classy 58 from Harry Tector. Oman’s chase never found its gears as Mark Adair (4/19) delivered a masterclass in death bowling. Despite a fighting start from Aqib Ilyas, Oman collapsed under the lights, finishing on 134/9. This 42-run victory marks Ireland’s first points of the tournament and sets up a mouth-watering final league clash against Australia.
Match Summary: Clinical Ireland Dominate in Colombo
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 - Match 22 - Ireland vs Oman
Group B • R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Pitch Report : The surface is a used one, showing visible cracks that favored the spinners early on. However, as the dew settled during the second innings, the ball began to skid, making Mark Adair’s pace-off deliveries exceptionally difficult to read. Average first-innings score here is 155.
Ireland’s 42-run victory was a complete team effort. After being put in to bat, the Irish openers provided a brisk start before Harry Tector (58) and Lorcan Tucker (42) anchored the middle overs. A late flourish from George Dockrell pushed the total to a daunting 176. Oman’s reply was promising in the Powerplay, but the introduction of the Irish seamers changed the complexion of the game. Mark Adair and Josh Little utilized the “skiddy” nature of the Premadasa track to perfection, ensuring Oman remained winless in the group stage.
Playing XI
Ireland
Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling (C), Lorcan Tucker (WK), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little, Ben White.
Oman
Kashyap Prajapati, Pratik Athavale (WK), Aqib Ilyas (C), Zeeshan Maqsood, Khalid Kail, Ayaan Khan, Mehran Khan, Rafiullah, Shakeel Ahmed, Kaleemullah, Bilal Khan.
Key Stats & Records From Today's Match:
Mark Adair now has the most wickets for Ireland in a single T20 World Cup edition (8).
Harry Tector recorded his 12th T20I half-century.
This was Ireland’s largest margin of victory (42 runs) in T20 World Cups since 2022.
Oman has now lost 8 consecutive T20I matches against Full Member nations.
Innings Breakdown
First Innings: Tector’s Anchor and the Irish Power-Finish
The opening half of the Ireland vs Oman T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights saw Ireland bat with newfound intent. Harry Tector played the definitive knock, scoring 58 off 41 balls, finding the gaps with surgical precision. Oman’s Bilal Khan (2/34) bowled with pace, but the Irish middle order utilized the short square boundaries effectively. A rapid 25* from George Dockrell in the final two overs ensured Ireland crossed the 175-mark, a total historically difficult to chase at this venue under lights.
Second Innings: Adair’s Four-Star Demolition
Oman’s pursuit in the Ireland vs Oman T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights began with Aqib Ilyas (34) playing some vintage strokes. However, once Mark Adair was introduced, the chase imploded. Adair removed the set Ilyas and then tore through the lower order with a mix of slower balls and pinpoint yorkers. Josh Little (2/22) provided excellent support from the other end, as Oman’s middle order struggled to clear the long-on boundary. They eventually finished 42 runs short at 134/9.
The “Stirling” Captaincy Masterclass: While Tector and Adair grabbed the stats, it was Paul Stirling’s decision to hand the 11th over to Mark Adair that broke Oman’s back. Most captains save their best seamer for the death, but Stirling saw Aqib Ilyas getting comfortable and attacked immediately. That single tactical shift resulted in a leading edge and three wickets in eight balls, proving that Ireland’s veteran leadership is their secret weapon in must-win games.
Key Moments & Turning Points: The "Ilyas" Exit
The definitive turning point occurred in the 11th over of the second innings. Oman were sitting comfortably at 78/2 with Aqib Ilyas looking set for a big one. Mark Adair returned for his second spell and induced a leading edge from Ilyas that was brilliantly caught by a diving Paul Stirling. Following his dismissal, Oman lost 4 wickets for just 15 runs, effectively ending the contest.
Top Performers
Lorcan Tucker (42 off 30 balls) - Player of the Match
Tucker’s cameo in the middle overs ensured the run rate never dipped. His ability to hit unorthodox scoops and sweeps kept the Omani bowlers guessing. His 70-run partnership with Tector was the turning point of the first innings.
Mark Adair (4/19 off 4 overs)
Adair was the undisputed architect of the Irish victory. His ability to vary his pace on the drying Premadasa track made him a nightmare for the Omani batters. His four-wicket haul included three wickets in the death overs, completely shutting the door on any potential Omani miracle.
Harry Tector (58 off 41 balls) - The Technical Master
Tector showed why he is considered Ireland’s premier batting talent. On a pitch that offered some turn for Zeeshan Maqsood, Tector used his feet brilliantly to neutralize the spin. His 58 was the backbone of the Irish total and the highest score of the match.
What This Result Means for Group B
This victory has blown Group B wide open! Ireland has officially moved into 3rd place, leapfrogging Zimbabwe on Net Run Rate. With 2 points now in the bag, Ireland faces a “straight knockout” against Australia in their final game—a win there could see them pull off a historic Super 8 qualification. For Oman, this third consecutive loss means they are officially eliminated from the 2026 T20 World Cup, and they will be playing for pride in their final fixture.
T20 World Cup 2026 Group B Points Table
Group B Points Table
Match Highlights
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