SCOTLAND OVERWHELM OMAN FOR HISTORIC QUALIFICATION
Scotland overwhelmed Oman by eight wickets on their way to earning a historic qualification into the Super 12 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground on Thursday.
The Scots also ensured they go to the UAE as Group B toppers finishing with a clean slate and six points while Bangladesh progressed as the second placed team with four points.
This is Scotland’s greatest cricketing moment and it’s not over yet as they progress to the Super 12 and take a place among the eight already qualified teams.
After Oman’s underwhelming batting performance of 122, Scotland’s chase of the low total was led by skipper Kyle Coetzer who played an aggressive knock of 41 runs.
Richie Berrington chipped in 31 runs while Matthew Cross cracked 25 to take Scotland home to their finest ever moment.
Oman’s bowling attack that has been in good nick in the World Cup had to produce a magical effort or something really special to stop Scotland from getting over the line.
However, with not many runs to defend and Scotland playing an aggressive, proactive brand of cricket, the likes of Bilal Khan, Fayyaz Butt and Mohammad
Nadeem were taken to the cleaners.
It was Scotland’s day all the way from ball one to the last ball of the 17th over that confirmed their victory and qualification that was sealed by a six from Berrington.
OMAN DISAPPOINT WITH BAT
Earlier, Oman disappointed with their batting performance as the team were bowled out for 122 in 20 overs.
The home team’s top order produced an insipid effort as disaster struck as early as the second ball of the match when Jatinder Singh was run out.
It was a massive blow to Oman’s chances as the star batsman has been in sparkling form in the tournament with some crucial knocks.
Aqib Ilyas stuck around with some handy boundaries and a couple of sixes but holed out in the 10th over as Oman were left reeling at 51/3.
Mohammad Nadeem played a short innings that comprised two massive sixes but didn’t last very long either.
If not for Zeeshan Maqsood’s 34, Oman may well have folded up for less than 100 runs. The skipper struck some meaty blows to get the scoreboard ticking as he cracked three boundaries and a six.
For Scotland, Josh Davey (3/25), Safyaan Sharif (2/25) and Michael Leask (2/13) were among the pick of the bowlers as they crushed any hopes Oman had of setting up a stiff target.
It was a thoroughly professional bowling performance from Scotland, who are on a high after their epic opening match win against fancied Bangladesh.