Oman edge Hong Kong in Dubai thriller
MUSCAT: Oman continued their winning streak, beating better rated Hong Kong by two wickets in a thrilling encounter in Dubai on Sunday. Oman, who completed a whitewash of USA in a threematch home series earlier this month, after being asked to field first, bowled out Hong Kong for 207 in 47.5 overs.
Hong Kong made a solid start, reaching 120 for two before Oman fought back with multiple strikes, reducing them to 151 for seven. Hong Kong never really recovered from the middle order collapse and folded up for 207 in 47.5 overs.
Cameron McAuslan (42) and An- shuman Rath (42) were the leading scorers while James Caoter (32) and Shahid Wasif (37) provided vital support with valuable knocks.
For Oman, Khawar Ali was once again the main wicket-taker with four for 57. Bilal Khan and Jay Odedara bowled well too, taking two wickets each. Oman lost openers Khawar Ali and Arun Poulose cheaply but Aaqib Ilyas and Vaibhav Wategaonkar slammed contrasting half centuries to put Oman’s chase back on track. A middle order collapse then saw Oman slumping to 157 for eight after being comfortably placed at 121 for four.
Ahmed Fayyaz Butt slammed a brilliant 30 not out to steer Oman to an exciting victory. Vaibhav was declared man of the match for his vital knock of 52.
The two teams face off in the second match of the three-match series on Tuesday. The third match will be played at ICC Cricket Academy ground on December 14.