Tuesday 05 / November / 2024
MUSCAT: Oman’s spinners first worked their magic to restrict the Netherlands to a modest total, and then a skipper’s knock of 58 by Jatinder Singh powered the hosts to an emphatic eight-wicket win in the Cricket World Cup (CWC) League 2 at the Oman Cricket Academy ground on Tuesday. The commanding performance marked Oman’s second consecutive victory, following an equally impressive win over the UAE on Friday.
Oman’s spinners set the tone early, limiting the Netherlands to a modest 132 as the slow left-arm orthodox trio of Shakeel Ahmed, Aamir Kaleem, and Wasim Ali weaved their magic. Ahmed was the standout, finishing with 4/26, including two maidens, while Kaleem (2/27) and Ali (1/18) backed him up effectively. Leg-spinner Samay Shrivastav, who had shone in the UAE match with a four-wicket haul, also contributed with 2/36.
After winning the toss, Oman skipper's decision to bowl first proved wise as the spinners capitalised on the conditions, taking nine wickets, with Aryan Dutt being run-out. Ahmed struck early, dismissing openers Max O'Dowd and Vikramjit Singh, and Aamir Kaleem soon added to the pressure by taking the wicket of Dutch captain Scott Edwards. The Netherlands stumbled to 22/3, struggling to build any momentum.
Bas de Leede offered some resistance with a gritty 51 off 89 balls, while Noah Croes added a fighting 29 off 43. Their 40-run stand briefly revived the Dutch innings, but it was short-lived as Wasim Ali removed Croes, and Ahmed returned to remove both Shariz Ahmad and de Leede, leaving the Netherlands in tatters at 114/6. The tail offered little, with Roelof van der Merwe falling to Kaleem and Shrivastav finishing off the lower order to wrap up the Dutch innings at 132 in 40.2 overs.
Chasing 133, Oman’s openers Jatinder Singh and Ashish Odedara put on a solid 81-run partnership in 20 overs, setting the platform for a comfortable chase. Odedara, the player of the match in the UAE game, scored 27 off 57 balls with three boundaries and a six before falling to Dutt. Jatinder, demonstrating patience and poise, reached his half-century and took Oman close to the target, adding another 33 runs with Wasim Ali before being bowled by van der Merwe for a steady 58 off 95 balls, including three boundaries. Wasim Ali (24 not out) and Hammad Mirza completed the chase, guiding Oman to 133/2 in 34.1 overs.
Ahmed's four-wicket haul earned him the player of the match award, which was handed over to him by Paul Sheridan, Oman Cricket vice-chairman.
This victory added two valuable points to Oman’s tally, bringing them level with Namibia on 10 points, though they trail in net run rate. Oman now have two more games at home in this tri-series and, with continued success, could rise to third or fourth in the standings by the end of the tri-series. Currently, the USA leads with 16 points from 12 games, followed by Canada (16 points), Scotland (14 points), and the Netherlands (12 points).
Brief scores: Netherlands 132 in 40.2 overs (Bas de Leede 51, Noah Croes 29; Shakeel Ahmed 4/26, Aamir Kaleem 2/27, Samay Shrivastav 2/36) lost to Oman 133/2 in 34.1 overs (Jatinder Singh 58, Ashish Odedara 27, Wasim Ali 24 not out; Aryan Dutt 1/35, Roelof van der Merwe 1/43).
