MUSCAT: An entertaining and exciting two-match one-day (50-over-a-side) series between hosts Oman and Papua New Guinea (PNG) ended level with both sides winning a game each.
PNG bounced back from a four-wicket loss in the opening match on Sunday to win the second game by a similar margin the next day in the unofficial one-day international series.
In the opening game, Duleep Mendis’ men, who are warming up for two major international assignments in April and June, got off to a flying start with all-rounder Ayaan Khan coming up with a stellar display with bat and ball.
However, in the second game, PNG came back strongly as they reached the 243-run target set by the hosts with four wickets remaining. Lega Siaka (70) and Hiri Hiri (66 n.o.) notched up half-centuries in the chase as the visitors reached 249/6 with five balls to spare.
For Oman, skipper Zeeshan Maqsood was the most successful bowler with a spell of 2/33 while Ayaan Khan, Samay Shrivastava and Muzahir Raza took a wicket apiece.
Batting first, Shoaib Khan played a responsible knock of 59 off 53 deliveries to help hosts reach a modest target of 243 in 49.1 overs with Khalid Kail (42) and Ayaan Khan (35) chipping in with crucial contributions.
Oman’s decision to bat first seemed to have backfired in the second one-dayer as they were struggling at 32/3 in seven overs following the dismissals of Pratik Athavale, Jatinder Singh and Kashyap Prajapati.
It was left for the middle order, led by Maqsood (33), to halt the collapse and the skipper along with Kail, gradually helped the team recover. Ayaan and Shoaib then ensured the hosts put up a challenging target of 243 in 49.1 overs to defend, but that wasn’t enough.
Chad Soper and Sese Bau picked three wickets each while Assad Vala claimed two.
The series began on Sunday and Oman captain Maqsood won the toss and put the tourists to bat first.
Oman’s opening pace duo of Kaleemullah and Bilal Khan tasted success soon and PNG were reeling at 30/4 in nine overs. Ayaan Khan joined the wicket-taking party and picked up two, including the key wicket of skipper Assad Vala (47).
However, a fighting knock by wicketkeeper Kiplin Doriga, who made a 68-ball 67, saw PNG reach 184 in 47.5 overs.
Bilal Khan was too hot to handle as he picked up three for 31 while Kaleemullah, Ayaan and Aqib Ilyas had two wickets each in their kitty.
Oman’s chase wasn’t smooth as Prajapati, Ilyas and Maqsood were back in the hut with the score at 32/3 in nine overs. Atavale’s departure for 29 meant the hosts were down to 58/4 in 14th over. Khalid Kail’s run out for 19 didn’t make thing easier for Oman as they were five down for 67 two overs later.
It was a gritty knock from Ayaan, who scored an unbeaten 68-ball 53, and a 68-run sixth-wicket partnership between Ayaan and Shoaib Khan (38) that put Oman back on course of victory.
Shoaib’s exit left the onus on Ayaan to shepherd the chase and he along with Rafiullah (28 n.o.) took the team home as the hosts reached 188/6 in 38.3 overs.
Kabua Morea took two wickets for 27 while the other wicket-takers were Semo Kamea, John Kariko, and Jack Gardner.
Following the unofficial one-day international series, the teams will feature in three T20Is, starting from Wednesday.
Brief scores: Match 1: PNG 184 in 47.4 overs (Kiplin Doriga 67, Assad Vala 47; Bilal Khan 3/31, Kaleemullah 2/21, Ayaan Khan 2/34, Aqib Ilyas 2/15) lost to Oman 188/6 in 38.3 overs (Pratik Athavale 29, Ayaan Khan 53 n.o., Shoaib Khan 38, Rafiullah 28 n.o.; Kabua Morea 2/27).
Match 2: Oman 243 in 49.1 overs (Zeeshan Maqsood 33, Khalid Kail 42, Ayaan Khan 35, Shoaib Khan 59; Chad Soper 3/27, Sese Bau 3/38) lost to PNG 249/6 in 49.1 overs (Lega Siaka 70, Hiri Hiri 66 n.o.; Zeeshan Maqsood 2/33)
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