Ireland, Oman aim to keep qualification hopes alive

Ireland and Oman meet in Group B with both sides yet to open their account. While qualification remains a mathematical possibility, this fixture could realistically determine who avoids the bottom spot in the group. Ireland have shown phases of competitiveness despite two defeats, whereas Oman have appeared more outmatched, suffering heavy losses in both their outings.

Ireland pushed Sri Lanka hard in their opener, competing well for long stretches before fading at key moments. Even against Australia, there were phases with the ball where they managed to apply pressure, but they were unable to sustain it across the full 20 overs. The recurring issue has been their batting depth and middle-overs stability, with promising positions not converted into match-shaping passages. For Ireland, it is less about reinvention and more about getting the small moments right as they search for their first win in this tournament.

Oman, in contrast, have endured more one-sided contests. Bowled out cheaply by Zimbabwe and then comfortably beaten by Sri Lanka, they have struggled to stitch together a complete performance across departments. There have been brief moments of resistance with the bat, but the bowling unit has not consistently threatened stronger line-ups or built sustained pressure. Against Ireland, Oman will need a clear uptick in intensity and control if they are to turn competitiveness into genuine contention and leave with something to show for their efforts.

When: Saturday, February 14 at 11:00 AM Local Time

Where: Match 22, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo

What to expect: Pakistan's 190 batting first against the USA remains the highest total across the three World Cup matches played at this venue, though that came in an evening fixture. In contrast, the Netherlands nearly defended 147 against Pakistan in the 11 AM start, suggesting that conditions earlier in the day can offer greater assistance to the bowlers. Oman, too, have experience here, albeit a difficult one, having been bowled out for 103 by Zimbabwe in an afternoon game. A total in the 160-170 range could prove competitive, particularly if there is early movement on offer. With that in mind, captains may prefer to bowl first and exploit any assistance before conditions settle.

Head to head: Ireland have faced Oman six times in T20Is and have a 4-2 record against them. Since 2019, Ireland have been undefeated against Oman.

Team News:

Ireland:Skipper Paul Stirling injured his knee while attempting a catch against Australia. Although he came out to bat, he retired hurt after facing just one ball, struggling to run between the wickets. "It doesn't look great," batting coach Gary Wilson said. "He went for a scan this evening, so we'll have to wait for confirmation. But yeah, I would say it doesn't look ideal." If the injury rules Stirling out, vice-captain Lorcan Tucker is set to lead the side, with Tim Tector likely to come into the XI.

Probable XI: Tim Tector, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (c & wk), Curtis Campher, Benjamin Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys

Oman:If the batting faltered against Zimbabwe, the bowling struggled for control and experience against Sri Lanka. They made a couple of changes in the last game, bringing in Mohammad Nadeem and Jay Odedra. Nadeem responded with a half-century, while Odedra bowled just one over but struck with a wicket. With some positives to build on, Oman could give the same XI another opportunity.

Probable XI: Aamir Kaleem, Jatinder Singh (c), Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Mohammad Nadeem, Jiten Ramanandi, Vinayak Shukla (wk), Sufyan Mehmood, Nadeem Khan, Shah Faisal, Jay Odedra

What they said:

"There's a lot of talent in that dressing room and a huge amount of belief from us as coaches to them and we have played the two best teams in our group so far. So we've also got two games to come there. They're hugely important for us" - Gary Wilson, Ireland batting coach.

"Actually the brand of cricket we played in the last two matches, we are not this kind of a team, we are a better team. But the boys could not play according to their abilities. They are much more, they have much better ability" - Mohammad Nadeem.