Second successive defeat for Oman
Ilyas’ century in vain as India wins by six wickets
Oman's Aqib Ilyas displayed his batting talent in ample measure on Saturday when he slammed a century (117) against heavyweights India at the third Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Emerging Teams Cup 2018 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Saturday.
However, his 122-ball knock went in vain as India handed Oman a six-wicket defeat, its second successive loss in the eight-nation tournament, a day after hosts Sri Lanka had trounced Duleep Mendiscoached Oman by 109 runs.
Oman, India, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are clubbed in Pool A and are playing in Sri Lanka while the other four teams, including hosts Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and UAE are in Pool B and playing in Karachi.
Batting first against India, Oman managed to put up a total of 203 in 44.2 overs with Ajay Lalcheta (25) the next best scorer. Mohammed Nadeem (21) and skipper Zeeshan Maqsood (17) were the only other batsmen to reach double digits.
Indian leg-spinner Mayank Markande took four for 41 while off-spinner Jayant Yadav picked three for 33. India's opener Ankush Bains hit 83 and Himmat Singh made 63 to guide India home with six wicket to spare in 41.1 overs. Jay Odedra was Oman's most successful bowler with three for 38.
It was only in September that Ilyas had smashed his maiden first-class century against Singapore during the Asia Cup Qualifiers in Malaysia. And last month he hit another century, against the US, during the World Cricket League Division Three match, in Muscat.
Earlier on Friday, reigning champion, Sri Lanka, cruised its way past Oman by 109 runs, while India defeated Afghanistan by 74 runs in their opening matches respectively. Sri Lanka produced a dominating batting performance at Khettarama amassing 324 for five from its 50 overs before restricting Oman to 215 for eight in 50 overs. Off-spinner Odedra bowled well with three scalps for 47 runs.
In reply, Oman openers - Jatinder Singh and Twinkal Bhan-
dari - shared 74-run stand. After their separation, Oman failed to build momentum and was restricted to 215.
Brief scores: Saturday: Oman 203 all out in 44.2 overs (Ilyas 117; Yadav 3-33, Markande 4-41) lost to India 206-4 off 41.1 overs (Bains 83, Singh 63; Odedra 3-38).
Friday: Sri Lanka: 324-5 in 50 overs (Avishka Fernando 56, Hasitha Boyagoda 80, Kamindu Mendis 75, Sammu Ashan 57 n.o; Odedra 3-47) beat Oman: 215-8 off 50 overs (Bhandari 32, Jatinder 36, Ajay Lalcheta 34). Other results: Saturday: Pool A: Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by one wicket. Friday: India beat Afghanistan by 74 runs.
Pool B: Friday: Pakistan beat UAE by nine wickets, Bangladesh beat Hong Kong by 28 runs;
Thursday: Pakistan beat Hong Kong by 225 runs, UAE beat Bangladesh by 97 runs.