Ireland had no margin for error in Colombo after back-to-back defeats to Sri Lanka and Australia but stand-in captain Tucker blitzed four maximums in a 51-ball innings of 94 to help his nation post 235 for five.

It always looked a tall order and whilst Aamir Kaleem struck 50 at the top of the order, Barry McCarthy accounted for him and Josh Little recorded figures of three for 16 to dismiss Oman for 139.

Without injured captain Paul Stirling, Ireland were put into bat and were in trouble at 64 for four midway through the eighth over.

Tucker stayed composed and found a key ally in Gareth Delany, who hit 56 in a 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket before George Dockrell smashed five sixes in an explosive 35 not out down the order.

Kaleem’s half-century and 46 by Hammad Mirza kept Oman in the contest before the latter was run-out and Little proceeded to rip through the middle-order to earn Ireland a 96-run World Cup triumph ahead of Tuesday’s final Group B fixture with Zimbabwe.