MUSCAT: In a remarkable display of power hitting, Oman cemented their position as one of the elite teams at the 2024 Hong Kong Sixes cricket tournament, securing a victory over England in the 'Bowl Final' held at Mong Kok on Sunday.
Under the leadership of Vinayak Shukla, Oman's triumph marked their second consecutive victory over the formidable English team in this year's edition of the tournament.
Sri Lanka clinched the title of tournament champions by defeating Pakistan to claim the coveted 'Cup' title, while Oman achieved an unexpected victory in the 'Bowl' competition, which featured teams that had finished in third place in the group stage of the 12-nation tournament.
The Final Match
In the 'Bowl Final', England sought to avenge a previous defeat to Oman in the group stage of the 'Bowl' competition.
Batting first, England posted a score of 123 runs, losing only one wicket. Jordan Thompson led the charge with an impressive 55 runs from just 18 balls, including six sixes, while Ravi Bopara contributed rapidly with 51 runs off just 12 deliveries. Mujibur Ali was the only Oman player to take a wicket, ending with figures of 1/7.
In response, Oman’s Asif Khan and Shukla formed a formidable partnership, leading the team to victory with a ball to spare. Asif, who was named the player of the match, remained unbeaten on 47 runs from 17 balls, while Shukla shone with a swift 38 runs from just 12 balls.
It was a memorable occasion for Shukla, who emerged as the tournament’s leading scorer, accumulating 275 runs at an average of 137.50 over six innings, while teammate Hassnain Ali boasted the highest strike rate at 415.38. Shukla also won the player of the match award on two occasions.
Oman's Dominance in Batting
Oman's initial match against England was a standout performance, where they demonstrated a remarkable display of batting, scoring 20 sixes in their quota of six overs.
After winning the toss, England chose to send Oman in to bat - a decision that would soon prove to be a mistake. After a first-ball single, Oman batters launched into action, scoring three sixes and a four in the first over, bowled by Ed Barnard.
Shukla emerged as the standout player, launching Jordan Thompson for four consecutive sixes and a boundary off the first five balls of the second over, reaching a remarkable 51 runs before retiring, in accordance with tournament rules.
If the initial momentum of Shukla's explosive performance was not sufficient, England were soon confronted with an additional onslaught from No. 3 batter Hassnain Shah. He unleashed a flurry of four sixes in the third over, propelling Oman to an astonishing total of 90 runs within just three overs.
Asif Khan, who had remained relatively subdued until that point, swiftly joined the onslaught, hitting two sixes in the fourth over and adding two more in the fifth. By the time Samit Patel, the former England all-rounder, delivered the final over, Oman had amassed a jaw-dropping total of 159 runs without losing a wicket.
Asif concluded his innings unbeaten on 44 runs from just 16 balls, while the quartet of batters collectively amassed 20 sixes and six fours, culminating in a record-breaking total that became the highest score of the 2024 Hong Kong Super Sixes.
Conversely, England struggled in their response, managing only 92 runs for the loss of four wickets, resulting in a substantial 67-run defeat. The standout performer for England was Ed Barnard, who scored 57 runs off 16 balls, hitting nine sixes.
Path to the 'Bowl' Championship
Oman's journey in the tournament was initially marked by setbacks, succumbing to preliminary matches against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. However, they rebounded in the 'Bowl' group stage, securing victories in all three matches against New Zealand, India, and England, thereby clinching a spot in the 'Bowl Final' against the second-placed England.
In the 'Bowl' group stage, Oman's batting prowess was on full display against India, with Shukla's explosive batting contributing significantly to their chase of a target of 120 runs, culminating in a six-wicket victory.
The Hong Kong title stands as a testament to the team's resilience and prowess, signifying a notable milestone in the annals of Oman's cricket history.
The 2024 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes marked the 20th edition of the tournament, returning after a seven-year absence.
The Oman team consisted of Vinayak Shukla (captain), Asif Khan, Hassnain Ali Shah, Mujibur Ali, Shoaib Al Balushi, Vinayak Shukla, and Zikria Islam.
