Australia ended a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign on a high note, crushing Oman by nine wickets in their final group-stage fixture on Friday.

With qualification hopes already dashed after defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, Australia had only pride to play for. They responded with a clinical all-round display, bowling Oman out for 104 in 16.2 overs before completing the chase in just 9.4 overs, the joint-fastest successful chase of a 100-plus target in the tournament’s history.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa was the chief architect of Oman’s collapse, returning superb figures of 4 for 21. Xavier Bartlett and Glenn Maxwell chipped in with two wickets each as Australia’s bowlers struck regularly to prevent any meaningful resistance. Wasim Ali top-scored for Oman with 32 off 33 balls.

Having elected to field, Australia struck immediately. Bartlett cleaned up Aamir Kaleem with the first ball of the match, setting the tone. Oman briefly countered through Karan Sonavale and captain Jatinder Singh, who found the boundary with a few confident strokes.

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However, early chances went begging, Maxwell dropped a catch at slip, before Ellis removed Sonavale, who chopped on while attempting an aggressive cut. Bartlett then dismissed Jatinder with a sharp delivery that rattled the stumps, leaving Oman reeling at 39 for 3.

Hammad Mirza injected some momentum with a six over point off Cameron Green, helping Oman to 47 for 3 at the end of the powerplay. But Zampa’s introduction proved decisive. The leg-spinner struck in his first over, beating Mirza with a skidding delivery that crashed into the stumps.

Maxwell redeemed himself for the earlier drop by claiming two wickets, and Oman’s innings unravelled quickly thereafter.

In response, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head wasted little time. After an early wicket, the pair unleashed a barrage of boundaries in a blistering 93-run stand. Marsh remained unbeaten on 64 off 33 balls, smashing four sixes and seven fours, while Head hammered 32 off 19 deliveries with six boundaries.

Australia wrapped up the chase in emphatic fashion, sealing a dominant win — though it did little to mask a campaign that has already prompted calls for a comprehensive review back home.