Muscat: The Omani cricket team, now boasting a combination of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, kicked off its home tri-series in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 (WCL 2) with a decisive six-wicket victory over the UAE.
This triumph on Friday has set a positive momentum for Oman, who are now aiming to secure a second consecutive victory in their upcoming match against The Netherlands on Tuesday at the Oman Cricket Academy ground.
Under the guidance of head coach Duleep Mendis, the Omani team presented a 'new-look' squad, featuring four players making their ODI debuts - Muzahir Raza, Ashish Odedara, Hammad Mirza, and Samay Shrivastav.
While not all of these debutants are young and inexperienced, their inclusion has injected a fresh energy and strategic approach to the team. This mix of new and experienced players proved to be effective against a more seasoned UAE team, as Oman clinched a significant victory in their ongoing WCL 2 campaign.
The decision by Oman captain Jatinder Singh to bowl first was a strategic move that paid off, as the UAE struggled early, finding themselves at 18/2 within the first eight overs.
Leg-spinner Shrivastav then took control of the UAE's middle order with an impressive performance, taking 4/25, including two wickets in a single over that led to a swift collapse.
The UAE were eventually dismissed for 128 runs in 41.3 overs. Supporting Shrivastav, Shakeel Ahmed took 2/22, while Raza, Aamir Kaleem, Jay Odedara, and Karan Sonavale each claimed a wicket, highlighting the team's collective strength in bowling.
However, Oman's chase was not without its challenges. Losing Jatinder Singh early, they found themselves under pressure at 21/3 by the 12th over. Yet, Ashish Odedara's composed, unbeaten 54 off 127 balls anchored the innings and stabilized the team's position. He was supported by Hammad Mirza, who contributed a crucial 28, and veteran Mohammad Nadeem, who finished unbeaten on 19, guiding Oman to a comfortable 129/4 in 43.4 overs.
With their victory on Friday, Oman have elevated their position in the WCL 2, now occupying the sixth spot in the eight-team table with eight points from nine matches.
Leading the group is the USA, who have amassed 16 points from 12 matches, closely followed by Canada with 16 points from 12 matches but trailing on net run rate. Scotland are in third place, having earned 13 points from 10 matches, while The Netherlands, Oman's next opponent, are ranked fourth with 12 points from nine games. Namibia are in fifth with 10 points from 12 games, just above Oman's eight points. Nepal, with five points from 11 games, and the UAE, anchored at the bottom with four points from nine games, round out the standings.
The tri-series serves as a pivotal element in Oman's journey through the WCL 2, offering avenues for elevation in the standings and progression within the ICC's qualification pathway to the 2027 ODI World Cup. With a record of three wins, two shared points, and four losses, Oman, who secured the second position in the previous iteration, has demonstrated considerable potential, and a victory on Tuesday could significantly enhance their campaign.
The composition of the team, featuring a blend of fresh recruits and experienced players, coupled with the advantage of playing on home soil, positions them favorably to sustain their momentum and confront their adversaries.
On the aforementioned Sunday, the UAE managed to recover from their initial defeat in the opening match against the Netherlands, securing a victory by 26 runs.
The remaining matches in the Oman tri-series are scheduled as follows: November 5: Oman vs Netherlands, November 7: Oman vs UAE, November 9: Netherlands vs UAE, November 11: Oman vs Netherlands.
