The 2026 ICC T20 World Cup continues to thrill cricket fans worldwide, even though the group stage is not yet complete. Batting fireworks have dominated headlines, with five separate team totals exceeding 200 runs—a feat previously seen only in the 2007 edition.
The latest entry in this record book came on Thursday at the SSC Ground, where Ireland faced Oman. After losing the toss, Ireland batted first and posted an imposing 235/5 in their allotted 20 overs. This total is not only the highest of the current tournament but also the second-highest in T20 World Cup history. The only higher score came from Sri Lanka, who amassed 260/6 against Kenya in 2007.
Despite being ranked 20th in the ICC T20 rankings, Ireland’s batting display left little doubt about the outcome. Oman’s reply fell well short, scoring 139 in 18 overs, their best team total of the tournament. With three defeats in as many matches, Oman is the first team from Group B to exit the tournament. Ireland, meanwhile, secured a single victory, placing fourth in the group with two points.
Ireland’s innings began precariously, losing three top-order wickets for 45 runs inside five overs. By 7.3 overs, the fourth wicket had fallen at 64. Early dismissals included Tim Tector (5), Ross Adair (14), Harry Tector (12), and Curtis Campher (14). Fans could scarcely have imagined the massive score that was to follow.
Two extraordinary partnerships turned the game around. Captain Lorcan Tucker and Gareth Delany shared a 101-run stand off 56 balls for the fifth wicket. Then Tucker joined forces with George Dockrell to add an astonishing 70 runs from just 19 deliveries, leaving Oman’s bowlers helpless.
Tucker remained unbeaten on 94 from 51 balls, including 10 fours and four sixes. Delany scored 56 off 30 balls, while Dockrell finished 35* from nine deliveries. Ireland’s final five overs yielded 93 runs, the third-highest tally in T20 World Cup “death overs” (16–20). The Tucker–Dockrell stand set a new record for runs per over in a T20 World Cup partnership, averaging 22.10, surpassing Mike Hussey and Mitchell Johnson’s 2010 record of 19.87.
Oman had started positively, reaching 85/2 after 10 overs, with openers Amir Kaleem (50 off 29 balls) and Hammad Mirza (46 off 37 balls) leading the charge. Kaleem, at 44 years and 86 days, set a record as the oldest player to score a T20 World Cup fifty. However, Oman collapsed in the final eight overs, losing eight wickets for 54 runs to finish on 139 all out.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 235/5 | 20 | Won by 96 runs |
| Oman | 139 | 18 | All out |
Top Performers
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorcan Tucker* | 94 | 51 | 10 | 4 |
| Gareth Delany | 56 | 30 | 5 | 3 |
| George Dockrell* | 35* | 9 | 2 | 4 |
Ireland’s commanding display, underpinned by brilliant partnerships and aggressive death-over hitting, ensured a 96-run victory and a memorable entry into the 2026 T20 World Cup record books.