Oman almost through to Division II

KAMPALA: Bilal Khan produced a sensational five-wicket haul as Oman beat Singapore convincingly by five wickets to reach the top of the standings and almost seal their promotion to Division II in the World Cricket League Division III tournament on Saturday.

Singapore, batting first, were bowled out for 100 in 37.1 overs. Bilal scalped five wickets for 19 runs in an excellent spell of bowling. Khawar Ali and Nadeem picked two wickets apiece.

Anish Paraam topscored with 34 for Singapore.

Chasing 101, Oman had a horror start losing the openers Khawar and Jatinder Singh for ducks before skipper Sultan Ahmed (37) and Ajay Lalcheta (32) steadied the ship. Aqib Ilyas chipped in with 22 as well as Oman romped home in the 25th over with five wickets in hand. S Vijayakumar c K Ali b B Khan ..................4 C Kumarage c S Ahmed b B Khan ............11 A Paraam c J Singh b M Nadeem.............34 A Mutreja st S Ahmed b Lalcheta ...............4 C Suryawanshi c Z Maqsood b K Ali .........30 N Param lbw M Nadeem ...........................1 J Prakash b B Khan ....................................3 M Dharmichand lbw K Ali ..........................4 P Dahiwal c S Ahmed b B Khan .................4 A Krishna b B Khan ....................................0 S Appusamy (not out) ................................1

(W-4) .............................................. 4