Cricket: Oman thrash Hong Kong for another series triumph

Muscat: Oman’s red brigade secured second successive series victory when they handed Hong Kong a seven-wicket thrashing in the second game of the three-match series, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead, at Sevens Cricket Ground in Dubai on Tuesday.
Oman had whitewashed USA last week, winning the home series 3-0.
On Tuesday, opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Oman got on top of Hong Kong as soon as the 71-run second wicket partnership was broken. Hong Kong were soon reeling at 100 for six and were never allowed to recover from a middle order collapse, folding up for 135 in 47.1 overs.
Ahmed Fayyaz Butt and Khawar Ali were once again the leading wicket-takers for Oman, claiming three wickets each. Jay Odedara and Zeeshan Maqsood were equally impressive, taking two wickets apiece.
Anshuman Rath and Babar Hayat led the batting honours for Hong Kong, contributing 44 and 39 runs respectively.
In reply, Oman raced to the small target in just 19.2 overs with Aaqib Ilyas smashing another half century (64 off 29 balls). Zeeshan Maqsood contributed an unbeaten 29 while Arun Poulose scored 26.
Anshuman Rath bagged two wickets for Hong Kong.
The two teams will now square off in the third and final match on Thursday at ICC Cricket Academy ground in Dubai.
Brief scores: Hong Kong 135 all out in 47.1 overs (Anshuman Rath 44, Babar Hayat 39; Khawar Ali 3/32, Ahmed Fayyaz Butt 3/33, Zeeshan Maqsood 2/18, Jay Odedara 2/37) lost to Oman 137 for 3 in 19.2 overs (Aaqib Ilyas 64, Zeeshan Maqsood 29 n.o., Arun Poulose 26; Anshuman Rath 2/28).