NEW DELHI: Zimbabwe put on a dominant all-round display to cruise past Oman by eight wickets in their T20 World Cup clash in Colombo on Monday. After choosing to bowl, Zimbabwe's pace attack tore through Oman's batting line-up, bundling them out for a modest 103.

Blessing Muzarabani struck early with the new ball, while Richard Ngarava maintained the pressure from the other end. The pair picked up three wickets apiece, leaving Oman reeling at 27 for five inside seven overs. Brad Evans added further damage with three scalps to round off a ruthless bowling effort.

In reply, Zimbabwe were briefly checked after losing two quick wickets, but Brian Bennett anchored the chase with a composed unbeaten 48 off 36 deliveries.

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Brendan Taylor provided solid support before retiring hurt, as the pair stitched together a decisive partnership that settled the contest.

Zimbabwe wrapped up the chase comfortably in just over 13 overs, underlining their superiority in all departments.

The 22-year-old Bennett, who came into the World Cup after enjoying the form of his life on home soil by scoring three half-centuries and a hundred to clinch Zimbabwe's place in the showpiece, continued in the same vein and showed why he is rated so highly.

Needless to say, Bennett's form will hold the key for Zimbabwe going forward in the tournament.

Taylor was not far behind as he too played some fine shots en route to an easy victory for a team that has a point to prove having missed the last edition of the tournament.

Earlier, Vinayak Shukla (28 off 21 balls), Sufyan Mehmood (25 off 39) and Nadeem Khan (20 off 18) were the significant contributors with the bat for Oman.

Opting to field after the coin landed in favour of Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza, Muzarabani struck thrice and lefty-arm seamer Richard Ngarava once to leave Oman precariously placed at 17 for four in the fourth over.

Raza then brought himself onto the attack and tasted success when he beat Wasim Ali in the flight to disturb his stumps.

After none of their top five batters managed to reach double digits, Mehmood and wicketkeeper Shukla tried to stabilise the Oman innings with a partnership of 42 runs for the sixth wicket.

However, just when their association had begun to raise hopes of lending their total a semblance of respectability, Oman lost their sixth wicket in the form of Shukla.

He was sent back by Ngarava after a brilliant catch by wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor off a back of a length delivery that cramped the batter for space.

This was soon followed by the wicket of Jiten Ramanandi as Ngarava struck for the third time in the game and Oman slipped to 71 for seven in the 15th over.

Evans then broke the resistance of Mehmood as the batter holed out at deep square leg after a half-hearted pull shot.