MUSCAT: Oman thump Nepal by 13 runs in the second game of the ICC CWC League 2 Tri Series (USA-Nepal-Oman) at the Moosa Stadium, Pearland , USA on Thursday , June 9 , 2022. Oman’s first game against USA saw the hosts dominate in all verticals of the game handing Oman a 114 run defeat on Wednesday , June 8 , 2022.
Oman won the toss deciding to bowl first vs USA did not toll good as the hosts managed to dominate the Omani bowlers through the first half of the first innings. USA lost its first wicket of Steven Taylor courtesy Bilal Khan but later the duo of Sushant Modani and Monank Patel going on to score centuries at almost run-a-ball put Oman on the backfoot. The 209 run partnership was broken in the 36th over by Khawar Ali dismissing the USA Skipper , Monank Patel.
Oman held onto the opportunity created , cusping 4 wickets conceding only 28 runs in the following 7 overs with Khawar Ali bagging 3 wickets to sum things up. USA ended on 323 for 8 in their 50 overs with BIlal Khan finishing with 2 scalps.
In return , Oman could only score 209 with a swift but short start from its openers – both falling in successive balls followed by a steady partnership between Ayaan Khan and Shoaib Khan for a 117 run stand. Oman was all out in the 43rd over with 5 batsman in single digit scores at the end of the match.
On Thursday, Oman returned with positive intent electing to bat first this time around. Oman lost both its openers in quick succession courtesy Nepal’s fast bowling spearhead Karan KC. Shoaib Khan held the helm with Skipper Zeeshan Maqsood for a few overs the latter then falling to Sandeep Lamichanne’s leg spinner out for 27. Oman lost Mohd Nadeem and Ayaan Khan for single digit scores with Zeeshan Maqsood standing at one end playing seamlessly. Khawar Ali joined Zeeshan to take the Oman innings to the shore with his Patient 30. Zeeshan Maqsood ended the Oman innings on a high note and also achieving his century with 12 fours to his account. Oman ended on 211 for 8 wickets in its respective 50 overs.
Coming onto chase 212 , Nepal lost its debutant wicketkeeper Subhash Khakurel to an inswinging delivery hitting top of off by Bilal Khan. Wickets kept tumbling causing disruptions in the chase with the spin duo of Khawar Ali and Zeeshan Maqsood bagging 3 wickets each. Nepal was alive in the chase courtesy Aarif Sheikh scoring 66 but did not recieve support from the other Nepali Batsman. Bilal Khan did the honours for Oman in the death overs not allowing them to score as per the required rate and claiming 2 wickets in the game. Appreciation was offered to the Oman Skipper Zeeshan Maqsood who single handedly took Oman across the line finishing his day with a Century , 3 wickets with the ball , a spectacular one handed catch on point and a crucial run out to see Oman attain the 2 points.
Oman yet sit on top of the ICC CWC League 2 table with 42 points of 34 matches – a step closer to the Qualifiers of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Oman now have 2 games left , each against USA and Nepal to be played on 12th and 14th of June 2022. The matches are streamed live on icc.tv starting 7.30pm.
