Nepal ease past Oman in opener

Hosts Oman slumped to a 39-run defeat against an impressive Nepal in their opening Group A match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier A here on Friday.

At the Oman Cricket Academy grounds in Al Amerat, Canada made a thumping start to their campaign with a 118-run defeat of the Philippines.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, winning captain Lamichhane said, “The players were absolutely fantastic. To defend such a total demonstrated the never-say-die spirit and I am proud of them. Aarif’s knock was crucial, and we knew that once we get the early breakthroughs, we could make a match of it. Dipendra’s run out of Jatinder Singh was another key moment of the match.”

Oman captain Zeeshan Maqsood said: “We didn’t click as a batting unit. No one could stay at the wicket for long and losing wickets at regular intervals made it very difficult. We will come back strongly tomorrow [vs Canada] and take forward the positives from this match.”

At OCA Academy ground 1, Oman found it difficult to chase a target of 118 set by Nepal and perished at 78 all out in 17 overs.

For Nepal, medium pacer Kamal Airee picked up three for 15. Skipper Sandeep Lamichhane claimed 2-20 and all-rounder Dipendra Airee chipped in with two for 15.

Nepal struck when Oman score was one as opener Kashyapkumar Prajapati holed out to Dipendra Airee off the bowling of Kamal Airee in the third ball.

In the next over, Oman lost their second wicket when Ayaan Khan was sent back by Jitendra Mukhiya to put the hosts at 7-2.

Jatinder Singh and Khawar Ali tried a rescue act but a brilliant direct hit from mid-off by Dipendra Airee ended Jatinder’s innings to make it 3-24 in the sixth over.

Then after Oman batters were unable to stay at the crease as Oman lost four wickets in four overs.

Spinner Lamichhane castled Khawar Ali for 7 in the seventh over and Dipendra Airee sent back skipper Zeeshan Maqsood in the next over.

Nepal bowled with purpose and in the ninth over, Shoaib Khan was caught behind by Aasif Sheikh off Abinash Bohara.

Syed Aamir Kaleem and wicketkeeper Naseem Khushi negotiated the middle overs until the 13th over when Khushi fell to Lamichhane.

Khushi tried to give momentum to Oman scoring with two sixes in the Lamichhane over, but was bowled in the fifth ball.

The wicket ended a 31-run seventh-wicket stand with Khushi ending as the hosts’ top scorer with 24 off 18.

Dipendra trapped Kaleem lbw in the next over and Kamal Airee cleaned up the tail in the 17th over for an impressive win.

Earlier, Oman won the toss and decided to bowl first.

Pacer Bilal Khan struck a double blow in his opening two-over spell to put Nepal struggling at 12-2.

Aarif Sheikh played a patient knock of 38 from 37 to guide Nepal past 100.

Captain Lamichhane made a seven-ball 16 as Nepal reached 117-8 in 20 overs.

SPOORS HITS CENTURY

At OCA ground 2, Canada’s Matthew Spoors slammed 108 not out from 66 balls and shared a 149-run opening wicket stand with Rayyan Pathan, who hit a 44-ball 73, to lead their side to an imposing 216 runs for the loss of one wicket.

Captain Navneet Dhaliwal stayed unbeaten on an 11-ball 26 that was studded with three maximums as they challenged Philippines who are making their debut at the global qualifiers.

Chasing a huge total, Philippines could only score 98 for five to give Canada a huge 118-run win and a boost to their net run-rate (NRR).

Canadian captain Navneet Dhaliwal said: “In these games the net run-rate plays a crucial role. We would have loved to bowl first but once we were told to bat, we did well to put up a good score.”

On Spoors century, Dhaliwal added: “We know that he bats well so I am extremely happy for him. He is a guy who is going to make a lot of runs for Canada ahead like how he did today.”

On Saturday, Philippines take on Nepal at OCA 2 while Canada play against Oman at OCA 1. Both matches begin at 10am.

BRIEF SCORES

At OCA Ground 1: Nepal 117-8 (Aarif Sheikh 38 (37b); Khawar Ali 3-30, Bilal Khan 2-25) beat Oman 78 all out in 17 overs (Naseem Khushi 24 (18b); Kamal Airee 3-15, Dipendra Singh Airee 2-15, Sandeep Lamichhane 2-20)

At OCA Ground 2: Canada 216-1 in 20 overs (Matthew Spoors 108 not out – 66 balls, 14x4, 3x6; Rayyan Pathan 73 – 44 balls, 9x4, 2x6) beat Philippines 98-5 in 20 overs (Daniel Smith 35; Saad Bin Zafar 2-14, Kaleem Sana 2-16)