Oman make sensational debut at ICC World T20

Dharamsala: Oman’s historical first match on the world stage provided many bright spots as the Sultanate’s squad made a sensational debut at the ICC World T20 with a thrilling two-wicket victory against Ireland at the HPCA Stadium on Wednesday night.
In Group A preliminary round match, Zeeshan Maqsood’s blitzkrieg as an opening batsman, after coming up with a blinder of a catch earlier in Ireland innings, and the golden first over maiden by Ajay Lalcheta in addition to Khawar Ali’s all-round Twenty20 International debut proved Oman cricket has all the ingredients of a promising future.
In addition came Amir Ali’s classic cameo which almost took Oman over the rope which was later helped by a horrible over from Ireland’s Max Sorensen, who bowled beamer after beamer to help Oman record a history-making victory.
In a match of fluctuating fortunes, Amir played a swashbuckling knock of 32 off 17 balls with five fours and a six, which complemented the opening partnership between Zeeshan and Khawar.
What was lacking was the touch of alertness and swiftness in fielding, which could have cut Ireland’s 154 by atleast 10 to 15 runs.
After Khawar Ali perished making a strokeful 34 (four four, two sixes), Oman lost way with the bastmen who followed finding it difficult to stroke away the Ireland medium pacers, before Amir Ali joined slow and steady Jatinder Singh (24 off 26 balls) to put it across Ireland.
Oman made 157 for 8 with two balls to spare.
Maqsood’s pluck
Earlier, Oman did well to keep Ireland very much in control, especially the often dangerous Kevin O’Brien.
Holding them to under 150 was Oman’s aim, but Munis Ansari after bowling an exceptional ball to bamboozle Kevin gave away a few runs to let the score move on to 154.
But it was Zeeshan Maqsood’s gliding pluck to dismiss Sterling that opened gates for Oman. Fully airbone the ball stuck to his hand and the third umpire later confirmed the catch was clean after a doubt was cast on whether he grounded the ball while touching ground.
Nevertheless, it was an excellent performance by Oman bowlers too, especially, left-arm tweaker Ajay Lalcheta to start with then leggie Khawar Ali and Sultanate’s own ‘slinga’ Munis.
India’s top spinner Ravichandran Ashwin tweeted to say Lalcheta’s first over maiden was golden and what more appreciation does Oman need on World T20 debut.
For Ireland, it was indeed a sedate start by openers Porterfield (29) and Stirling (29) as they struggled to score off the spinners.
With the pitch playing slow, the Ireland batsmen relished Bilal’s pace, but Sultan had different ideas by persisting with his spinners and bringing Munis at the death.
The top scorer for Ireland was Wilson who made an impressive 38 with five hits to fence. For Oman Munis picked up three wickets, bowling well in the death, and Khawar and Aamir Kaleem picked one each.

SCOREBOARD
IRELAND
W. Porterfield st S. Ahmed b K. Ali 29
P.R. Stirling c Z. Maqsood b A. Kaleem 29
G. Wilson b Ansari 38
N. O’Brien c Mehran b Ansari 16
K. O’Brien b Ansari 14
A. Poynter (not out) 11
A. McBrine (not out) 10
Extras (lb-5, w-2) 7
Total (5 wkts, 20 overs) 154
Fall of wickets: 1-48, 2-84, 3-112, 4-118, 5-143.
Bowling: A. Lalcheta 4-1-24-0; Bilal Khan 4-0-32-0; M. Ansari 4-0-37-3 (w-2); Aamir Kaleem 4-0-27-1; Khawar Ali 3-0-20-1; Aamer Ali 1-0-9-0.
OMAN
Z. Maqsood b K. O’Brien 38
Khawar Ali b K. O’Brien 34
Jatinder Singh b Rankin 24
Adnan Ilyas c Stirling b Sorensen 4
Mehran Khan c Porterfield b McBrine 2
Aamir Kaleem lbw McBrine 0
Aamer Ali c N. O’Brien b Sorensen 32
Sultan Ahmed run out 1
A. Lalcheta (not out) 6
M. Ansari (not out) 0
Extras (b-1, lb-2, w-6, nb-7) 16
Total (8 wkts, 19.4 overs) 157
Fall of wickets: 1-69, 2-78, 3-86, 4-89, 5-90, 6-137, 7-139, 8-152.
Bowling: T.J. Murtagh 3-0-36-0 (nb-1, w-2); C.A. Young 2-0-11-0 (w-2); WB Rankin 3-0-23-1; K. O’Brien 4-0-25-2; A.R. McBrine 3-0-15-2; P.R.Stirling 2-0-15-0; M.C. Sorensen 2.4-0-29-2 (nb-2, w-2).