On February 14, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Ireland got their first two points of the 2026 T20 World Cup by defeating Oman. Ireland defeated Oman by a massive margin of 96 runs, with their runrate finally getting positive.

 

Put in to bat, Ireland endured early jolts as Shakeel Ahmed ran through the top order, dismissing Tim Tector, Ross Adair and Harry Tector inside the powerplay. At 47/3 after six overs, Oman had reasons to believe they had pulled Ireland back. However, captain Lorcan Tucker had other ideas.

 

Tucker rebuilt calmly before exploding with remarkable intent, finding gaps at will and clearing the ropes with ease. His unbeaten 94 off just 51 balls, laced with 10 fours and four sixes, anchored Ireland’s innings. He found a perfect partner in Gareth Delany, who counter-attacked brutally with a 56 off 30 balls. The duo added a game-defining 100-run stand for the fifth wicket in just 55 deliveries, completely swinging momentum Ireland’s way.

 

The late flourish was even more punishing. George Dockrell smashed an unbeaten 35 off nine balls, including five towering sixes, as Ireland plundered runs in the death overs. From 150 in the 16th over, Ireland surged past 200 and eventually finished at a daunting 235/5—the highest team total of the tournament so far.

 

Read also: Ireland toys Oman, posts '26 T20 World Cup's highest total, enters record list of tournament's history

 

Ireland bowlers dismantle Oman’s chase with ruthless precision

 

Chasing a steep 236, Oman needed an extraordinary start and briefly showed intent through Aamir Kaleem. After early wickets, Kaleem and Hammad Mirza countered positively, bringing up a 50-run stand and taking Oman to 100 by the 11th over. Kaleem’s 50 off 29 balls stood out, combining clean striking with smart placement.

 

However, once Josh Little was introduced, the chase unravelled rapidly. Little’s pace and accuracy proved too much, as he ripped through Oman’s middle and lower order, returning outstanding figures of 3/16. Matthew Humphreys and Barry McCarthy provided crucial support, ensuring there was no late resistance.

 

Oman collapsed from 113/6 to be bowled out for 139 in 18 overs, losing their final seven wickets for just 42 runs. Ireland’s sharp fielding and relentless pressure sealed a comprehensive victory.

 

With a dominant all-round performance and a Player of the Match effort from Lorcan Tucker, Ireland have firmly announced themselves as a serious force in Group B, while Oman will need to regroup quickly after a humbling defeat.