MUSCAT: Oman's spinners once again demonstrated their prowess, leading their hosts to a thrilling victory in a closely contested match at the Oman Cricket Academy ground on Monday.
This triumph marked Oman's fourth consecutive victory in the Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series, concluding their campaign on a high note.
Facing a modest total of 155, Oman's bowlers, especially the spinners, were relentless. A team effort from Shakeel Ahmed, Aamir Kaleem, Samay Shrivastav, and Siddharth Bukkapatnam effectively trapped the Dutch batters, making it exceedingly difficult for the Netherlands to chase down the target.
The turning point of the match came with captain Jatinder Singh's strategic decision to introduce off-spinner Karan Sonavale in the 46th over.
In a crucial moment, Sonavale's debut over saw him dismiss Aryan Dutt, who was caught by Muzahir Raza, sparking jubilation among the Omani team.
The Netherlands' chase was met with initial setbacks as Ahmed, Oman's leading wicket-taker with 13 dismissals in four matches, took out both openers, leaving the Netherlands at 33/2 after 12 overs.
Kaleem, Oman's astute spinner, then took control of the middle order, and Shrivastav's economical bowling kept the pressure high, leaving the Netherlands struggling at 70/6 after 24 overs.
The Netherlands briefly found hope in a resilient 52-run stand between Teja Nidamanuru (34) and Timm van der Gugten (17) for the seventh wicket. However, Kaleem once again shifted the momentum in Oman's favor by breaking the partnership, a match where the balance of power shifted dramatically. Bukkapatnam, in his debut, delivered a crucial over, removing Roelof van der Merwe and Nidamanuru in five balls, bringing Oman within striking distance of victory.
The last-wicket pair of Kyle Klein and Aryan Dutt pushed Oman's nerves to the edge, forging a gritty 24-run stand that almost clinched the match for the Netherlands. But it was Sonavale's unexpected entry into the bowling attack that sealed the victory, securing a dramatic one-run win for Oman.
The spin quartet played a pivotal role, with Kaleem ending with impressive figures of 4/24, Ahmed with 2/15, Bukkapatnam with 2/23, and Shrivastav and Sonavale each contributing one wicket. This consistent spin attack left the Dutch batters struggling throughout their innings.
Earlier, Oman's innings was established on a solid foundation laid by the opening batsmen Ashish Odedara and Jatinder Singh, who shared a 94-run stand in 24 overs. Odedara scored 41 off 70 balls, including five boundaries, while Jatinder completed a measured half-century, scoring 59 off 89 balls with six boundaries.
However, the dismissal of Odedara precipitated a dramatic collapse for Oman, as they plummeted from 94/1 to 113/7 within the span of ten overs. The Dutch spinners, under the leadership of Colin Ackermann (4/22) and Roelof van der Merwe (3/30), adeptly capitalized on the conditions, reducing Oman to a total of 125/8.
A resurgence in form from Jay Odedra, who managed to score 22 runs from 22 balls, including three sixes, alongside a record-breaking last-wicket stand of 30 runs with Raza, who contributed 10, aided Oman in reaching a total of 155 in 44.2 overs. This display of resilience at the conclusion of the match proved to be pivotal in the contest, which ultimately ended in a suspenseful draw.
Following their victory on Monday, Oman, under the guidance of Duleep Mendis, has seen an improvement in their points tally, rising to 14 from 12, securing their position at the fifth spot in the eight-nation League 2 standings.
The Netherlands and Scotland have also amassed 14 points, yet maintain a superior net run rate (NRR), with Scotland having completed one fewer game than the Netherlands. The United States currently holds the top position with 16 points, followed by Canada. Namibia (10 points), Nepal (6), and the UAE (4) round out the rankings.
In summary, Oman emerged victorious with a total of 155 all out in 44.2 overs, defeating the Netherlands by 154 all out in 45.3 overs.
