Ireland Dominate Oman to Register Big 96-Run Win: Ireland delivered a complete performance to defeat Oman by 96 runs in Match 22 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, on match day. The result marked one of Ireland’s biggest victories in T20 World Cup history and gave their campaign a strong boost.
Batting first after Oman chose to bowl, Ireland posted a massive 235/5 in 20 overs, their highest-ever T20I total. In reply, Oman started aggressively but collapsed in the middle overs and were bowled out for 139 in 18 overs, handing Ireland a dominant win.
Tucker Leads from the Front as Ireland Post Record Total
Ireland had a shaky start, losing three wickets inside the powerplay and slipping to 64/4. At that stage, Oman’s decision to bowl first looked effective, with Shakeel Ahmed taking three early wickets.
However, captain Lorcan Tucker turned the game around with a match-defining innings.
Ireland Batting Highlights
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorcan Tucker* | 94 | 51 | 10 | 4 |
| Gareth Delany | 56 | 30 | 3 | 4 |
| George Dockrell* | 35 | 9 | 0 | 5 |
- Tucker and Delany added a crucial 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
- Ireland then exploded at the death, scoring 86 runs in the last 4 overs.
- Dockrell finished the innings in style with three consecutive sixes.
This total of 235/5 is:
- Ireland’s highest T20I score
- Among the highest totals in T20 World Cup history
Ireland also hit 13 sixes in the innings, one of their highest tallies in T20 cricket.
Oman’s Strong Start Fades After Middle-Over Collapse
Chasing a huge target of 236, Oman began positively and reached 63/2 in the powerplay. Veteran Aamir Kaleem kept the chase alive with an attacking half-century.
Oman Batting Highlights
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Aamir Kaleem | 50 | 29 |
| Hammad Mirza | 46 | 37 |
At one stage, Oman were 97/3, but the required rate kept climbing. The turning point came when wickets fell in clusters:
- From 97/3 to 115/8, the chase completely collapsed.
- No major partnerships followed after the middle overs.
Ireland Bowlers Seal the Match
Ireland’s bowlers executed their plans well under pressure and controlled the middle and death overs.
Ireland Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Little | 4 | 16 | 3 |
| Matthew Humphreys | 4 | 27 | 2 |
| Barry McCarthy | 3 | 32 | 2 |
| George Dockrell | 1 | 6 | 1 |
Joshua Little’s spell of 3/16 was especially crucial in breaking Oman’s momentum.
Records and Match Impact
- Ireland won by 96 runs – their third-biggest win in T20Is and biggest in a T20 World Cup.
- It is also the second-biggest defeat for Oman in T20Is.
- Lorcan Tucker was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 94.
- George Dockrell’s 5 sixes are the most by an Ireland batter in a T20 World Cup innings.
- Oman’s Aamir Kaleem became one of the oldest players to score a T20 World Cup fifty.
Tucker praised the team’s recovery after early wickets and highlighted the importance of building a platform for a strong finish. Oman captain Jatinder Singh admitted his side was in control early but credited the Tucker–Delany partnership for changing the game.
Ireland’s performance showed the value of composure in pressure situations. After early setbacks, their middle-order rebuilt smartly and then finished with explosive power. With a big win and strong Net Run Rate boost, Ireland have sent a strong message in Group B as the tournament moves forward.
