Zimbabwe began their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up campaign on a high note with a solid 29-run victory over the Netherlands in Colombo yesterday. While the Dutch side aren’t among the tournament’s established heavyweights, the win will still lift spirits and sharpen Zimbabwe’s focus ahead of tougher assignments.
Batting first, the Chevrons put together a competitive total of 178 for 9 in their 20 overs. A blistering unbeaten 50 off just 31 balls from Ryan Burl anchored the innings, while Dion Myers provided an aggressive cameo with 32 runs from 14 balls, keeping the scoring rate healthy throughout the middle overs.
Both Richard Ngarava and Graeme Cremer made key contributions with the ball as Zimbabwe’s bowlers kept the pressure on. Ngarava finished with three wickets and ensured the Dutch chase never gained momentum, while Cremer chipped in with two smart dismissals.
The Netherlands were dismissed for 149, with Logan van Beek’s 40 not out offering resistance late in the innings, but it was not enough to trouble Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling unit.
This confidence-boosting victory sets a positive tone as the Chevrons turn their attention to Friday’s warm-up against Oman on 5 February. With the main tournament starting shortly afterwards, these matches are vital for fine-tuning combinations and building rhythm under match conditions. For now, Zimbabwe can take satisfaction from a good performance and look ahead to more competitive outings as the T20 World Cup nears.
