Muscat: Ireland thumped Oman by 9 wickets in the 3rd game of the quadrangular T20 series at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground on Saturday.
Batting first after losing the toss, it was Shoaib Khan’s turn to rescue the Omani innings this time around, after the openers were dismissed for a combined score of 2. His magnificent 57 off 38 balls kept the hosts in the game and offered the counter-attacking impetus needed to post a competitive score from a standing start. Ayaan Khan provided some much-needed stability at the other end, and their 41-run partnership turned the game into a contest once again.
However, in another familiar turn of events, wickets in quick succession proved to be Oman’s undoing. From 73/2 they were reduced to 100/6, thanks to some brilliant spin bowling by Simi Singh. He finished with figures of 3/9.
Keeper Naseem Khushi’s 14 ball 24, along with a customary six from Kaleemullah at the very end ensured that Oman got past the total they managed against Nepal. But once again the hosts were unable to bat out their quota of 20 overs, folding for 137 with four balls to spare.
Oman’s quest to pick up early wickets and swing the game’s momentum in their favour never really got going. Openers Paul Stirling and Andy Balbarnie looked beyond comfortable in the middle, stitching together a 103-run partnership that effectively decided the game in Ireland’s favour.
The pair’s exquisite technique and hard-earned experience was on show, as they rotated strike well in between regular boundaries to stay in control of the chase the whole time. By the time Stirling was dismissed for 51, an Irish victory was merely a formality.
Oman to their credit were sharper in the field and with the ball than the previous game but failed to hold on to one very crucial catch that would perhaps have thrown some complications in the mix. Ultimately, Ireland got over the line with 17 balls to spare.
Earlier in the day, the United Arab Emirates were in cruise control for four hours in their game against Nepal. Batting first after losing the toss, Chirag Suri and Rohan Mustafa put together a 97 run third wicket partnership to pile the pressure on their opponents, who were clearly below their best after their exertions against Oman just 17 hours prior.
Suri stayed put until the very end, and some power hitting at the death from Basil Hameed and Mohammad Boota ensured that the UAE posted a colossal total of 192 at the end of 20 overs.
In response, the Nepali batsmen were never really able to keep up with the sky-high asking rate. Everyone on the roster put in a valiant effort and chipped in with useful totals, with Dipendra Singh Airee in particular top scoring with a classy 33 ball 41. But ultimately, they fell well short, losing by 25 runs.
BRIEF SCORES:
UAE 192/3 in 20 overs (Chirag Suri 84* (53) 5 x 4, 5 x 6 Rohan Mustafa 49(35) 5 x 4, 2 x 6 ; Sandeep Lamichhane 23/1) beat Nepal 167/5 in 20 overs (Dipendra Singh Airee 41(33) 5 x 4 ; Rohan Mustafa 26/2) by 25 runs Oman 137/10 in 20 overs (Shoaib Khan 57(38) 9 x 4; Simi Singh 9/3; Mark Adair 25/3) lost to Ireland 140/1 in 17.1 overs (Andy Balbirnie 75(49) 7 x 4, 3 x 6 Paul Stirling 51(42) 3 x 4, 3 x 6 ; Khawar Ali 33/1) by 9 wickets
