Wednesday 14 / May / 2025
MUSCAT: In a solid display of all-round dominance, Oman recently completed a clean sweep of the three-match T20I women’s series against Bahrain at the Oman Cricket Academy ground in Al Amerat.
The victories—by five wickets in the first match, 57 runs in the second, and five wickets again in the third—highlighted the team’s growing confidence, discipline, and unity as they continue to build momentum for future challenges.
Oman started the series with a composed run chase in the opening T20I, overcoming Bahrain’s modest total of 87 with five wickets in hand. In the second encounter, Oman asserted full control with both bat and ball, securing a dominant 57-run victory built on a solid team batting performance (162/5) and sharp bowling spells to restrict the visitors to 105/5. The third and final match saw a repeat of the team’s consistency, as Oman again chased down the target of 93 with poise to seal the 3-0 result as they reached 95/5 in 14.5 overs.
The series was shaped by outstanding all-round contributions from several Omani players. Opening batter Jayadhanyha Gunasekar, was a standout performer with the bat, scoring 84 runs across the three matches and providing Oman with much-needed stability at the top of the order. Her partnerships with fellow opener Trupti Pawde ensured that Oman had a solid foundation in every match.
Team captain Priyanka Mendonca anchored the middle order with composed innings that added 68 runs to her tally. Her leadership with both bat and ball proved pivotal, particularly with her performance as a spinner, where she claimed six wickets, the highest across the series. Sameera Khan also made a strong impact with the ball, taking five wickets, including crucial breakthroughs with the new ball and during the death overs.
Jayadhanyha added to her contributions with the ball as well, taking four wickets, showcasing her value as a reliable all-rounder.
Coach Desmond Berhardt, who has overseen the team’s rapid development despite limited international exposure in recent months, expressed deep pride in the players' resilience and performance.
He said: “I am absolutely thrilled by the team's brilliant performance and hard work that led to the recent 3-0 victory against the Bahrain Women's National Team.”
“It's remarkable how much the team and support staff achieved with such a short preparation period.”
While acknowledging the signs of rust due to a lack of competitive international cricket, Berhardt praised the team’s ability to adapt under pressure.
“The team's ability to leverage their experience and skills to navigate challenging situations speaks volumes about their resilience and talent,” he added.
He reserved special praise for the batters who laid the groundwork for Oman’s wins.
“I wanted to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of our batters, Jayadhanyha and Trupti, for consistently providing us with solid starts in all three games. The responsible innings played by our captain, Priyanka, in the middle order, along with the impactful cameos from Fiza Javed, Hina Javed, and Sameera, were also crucial.”
On the bowling front, the team’s spinners were instrumental in applying pressure on the Bahrain batters. “Our spinners – Priyanka, Amanda, and Jayadhanyha – were exceptional, taking 13 wickets. Sameera's contribution of five wickets with the new ball and in the death overs was also noteworthy,” Berhardt said.
The coach emphasised that despite the victory, there remains room for improvement across all departments.
He welcomed the upcoming domestic cricket schedule as a key opportunity to sharpen the team’s skills and deepen the talent pool.
“This kind of achievement will undoubtedly inspire more individuals to take up the sport, which will be instrumental in building a strong foundation for our future selection process,” he said.
The series win has already generated momentum off the field. A week after the series concluded, Oman Cricket Treasurer Alkesh Joshi met with the players and their families in a celebratory gathering. He congratulated the squad and shared Oman Cricket’s long-term vision and development roadmap for the women's game, motivating the players with the promise of more opportunities and structured growth.
Berhardt expressed appreciation for the support shown by Oman Cricket in facilitating the series.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to Oman Cricket for organising this bilateral series with the Bahrain Women's National Team and for sharing their plans for upcoming tours and tournaments. This is all very encouraging, and I am optimistic about the future of women's cricket in Oman.”
While Bahrain’s Deepika Herath finished as the highest run-scorer of the series with 104 runs, it was Oman’s cohesive team effort, balanced contributions, and clinical execution that proved to be the difference.
