Tuesday 23 / April / 2024
Muscat: Oman recorded a dramatic 43-run victory over Denmark in the ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Division 4 competition in Los Angeles on Friday, a result that not only paved the Sultanate squad’s way into the final but also helped the Duleep Mendis-coached side gain promotion to the Division 3.
With only top two teams from the six-team competition assured of places in the Division 3 competition, scheduled to take place in Uganda next year, Oman went into their final round robin league match with confidence.
But, with the Danes displaying more disciplined approach, at one time it looked like Oman will miss the bus. However, a fine all-round display by Khawar Ali, coupled with a captain’s knock of 62 runs by Ajay Lalcheta, ensured Oman booked their berth in the final against hosts U.S.
According to information posted on the International Cricket Council (ICC) website, in a low-scoring game at the Severn Cricket Field in Woodley Park, Khawar Ali turned out to be the hero in Oman’s win over Denmark.
Khawar, who made 74 to guide Oman to 189 all out in 46.4 overs after Denmark asked it to bat, did the star turn with the ball too, picking up five wickets to bowl the opponents out for 146 from 34 overs.
Denmark, who had won three out of four coming into the contest, was in charge of proceedings early on as Basit Javed (four for 32), Aftab Ahmed (four for 30) and Bashir Shah (two for 31) sliced through Oman’s line-up.
In response, Denmark never got going as Oman’s bowling, led by Khawar’s five for 37 and supported by Amir Ali’s two for 10, put a lid on the chase to hand Oman its fourth win in five games.
Jersey win thriller
In another match, Alex Amsterdam’s fiery century went in vain as Jersey pulled off a thrilling one-run win over USA.
After Jersey were bundled out for 249 in 48.2 overs, the U.S. looked in control of the run chase but faltered in the dying moments to finish on 248 for eight from 50 overs.
After winning the toss, Jersey put on a healthy total on the back of half centuries from Nat Watkins (69 from 57 balls) and Jonty Jenner (57 from 53 balls). Fine bowling performances from Timroy Allen (three for 52) and Prashanth Nair (three for 42) were largely responsible for restricting the score.
In response, U.S. got off to a lukewarm start, losing three for 60 but a 88-run stand between Akeem Dodson and Amsterdam saw it get back in contention. Amsterdam’s 102 came from 92 deliveries with eight fours and a six.
But once he was dismissed by Robert McBey in the 46th over, the game was as good as done. Charles Perchard and Watkins finished with three wickets apiece for Jersey.
Frist win for Italy
Basement-dwellers Italy, meanwhile, posted thier first win in the tournament as they got the better of Bermuda at the Wright Cricket Field in Woodley Park.
Asked to bat first, Italy compiled a respectable 228 for eight from 50 overs. Bermuda’s chase meandered before coming to a halt on 203 for nine from 50 overs.
It was Manpreet Singh’s 45 from 68 balls that laid the foundation for Italy’s batting display. It was also helped along by cameos from Joy Perera (39 from 30 balls) and Fida Hussain (30 from 26 balls).
Bermuda’s response wasn’t up to scratch against the likes of Charanjeet Singh (four for 24), Supun Wanigaratne (two for 31) and Carl Sandri (two for 48), as it slumped to its third defeat in five games.
SCOREBOARD
OMAN
Khawar Ali c Javed b Aftab Ahmed 74
Arun Poulose c Bulow b Javed 9
Zeeshan Maqsood c&b Javed 12
Swapnil Khadye lbw Javed 1
Zeeshan Siddiqui c Yasir Iqbal b Bashir Shah 5
Jatinder Singh c Klokker b Aftab Ahmed 2
Ajay Lalcheta c Klokker b Aftab Ahmed 62
Amir Ali c Ahmad b Aftab Ahmed 3
Mohammad Nadeem c Klokker b Bashir Shah 4
Rajesh Ranpura (not out) 3
Munis Ansari c Aftab Ahmed b Javed 0
Extras (lb-3, w-11) 14
Total (all out; 46.4 overs) 189
Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-39, 3-45, 4-57, 5-62, 6-159, 7-171, 8-184, 9-184.
Bowling: RB Javed 8.4-1-32-4 (w-3); A. Khan 8-0-42-0 (w-1); HAM Shah 4-0-22-0; Bashir Shah 8-0-31-2; Aftab Ahmed (2) 10-1-30-4 (w-3); SA Ahmad 4-0-17-0; Omar Hayat 4-0-12-0.
DENMARK
Aftab Ahmed (2) lbw Lalcheta 27
SA Ahmad b Amir Ali 31
HAM Shah c Zeeshan Maqsood b Khawar Ali 19
FA Klokker c Jatinder Singh b Amir Ali 0
Zameer Khan lbw Khawar Ali 8
Yasir Iqbal c Khadye b Khawar Ali 0
A. Khan (not out) 32
A. Bulow b Khawar Ali 10
RB Javed lbw Zeeshan Maqsood 7
Omar Hayat c Zeeshan Maqsood b Khawar Ali 1
Bashir Shah b Ansari 0
Extras (b-2, lb-3, w-6) 11
Total (all out; 34 overs) 146
Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-68, 3-68, 4-91, 5-91, 6-108, 7-124, 8-137, 9-140.
Bowling: Rajesh Ranpura 4-0-51-0; Ajay Lalcheta 6-0-23-1 (w-1); Amir Ali 5-2-10-2 (w-1); Zeeshan Maqsood 10-4-15-1; Khawar Ali 8-0-37-5; Munis Ansari 1- 0-5-1.
