Oman secured a crucial two-wicket victory against Namibia in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2, climbing to second in the standings with 18 points. Their bowlers excelled, with Shakeel Ahmed taking 4/25 to restrict Namibia to 96. Chasing 97, Oman faced a batting collapse but ultimately triumphed, with Key performances from Kaleem and Dafedar.
Oman triumphed over Namibia with a tense two-wicket victory in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series, avenging an earlier loss. This win, which took place at the Oman Cricket Academy in Al Amerat, catapulted Oman to second place in the standings with 18 points from 15 matches, just behind leaders USA who have 20 points, while Canada is in third place with 16 points from 12 matches.
Namibia opted to bat first but found themselves in trouble early, collapsing to 19/4 within ten overs. Oman’s spinners effectively capitalized on the conditions, with Shakeel Ahmed leading the attack by taking 4 wickets for 25 runs, continuing his impressive form from the previous match.
The early wickets fell with Jay Odedra trapping Zane Green lbw and soon dismissing JP Kotze. Shakeel Ahmed dismantled Namibia’s middle order, accounting for Jan Frylinck and tail-ender Jan-Izak de Villiers as they struggled to recover. Namibia’s captain, Gerhard Erasmus, and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton added a brief resistance with a 35-run partnership but could not avert the downfall.
Namibia ultimately crumbled to 96 all out in just 33.1 overs, with Siddharth Bukkapatnam and Samay Shrivastava contributing to the spin dominance by each taking one wicket. Oman began their chase confidently but faced a steep challenge as they lost wickets rapidly while pursuing their modest target of 97 runs.
A strong start with a 42-run opening stand between Jatinder Singh and Aamir Kaleem was disrupted by a string of wickets from Gerhard Erasmus, who finished with five wickets. Despite the collapse, Vinayak Shukla’s late hitting provided crucial runs before Erasmus struck again, bringing Oman to the edge at 87/8.
In a tense finish, Hashir Dafedar and Siddharth Bukkapatnam stayed composed under pressure, with Dafedar hitting a significant shot to bring Oman closer to victory. A total of four byes clinched the match for Oman in 22.4 overs, with Kaleem awarded Player of the Match for his critical all-round display.
Oman is set to face the USA in their final match of the tri-series, needing a win to potentially take the top spot in the standings, following a prior victory against them.
Oman’s victory over Namibia highlights their resilience and skill, particularly in exploiting spin-friendly conditions. With standout performances from their bowlers, especially Shakeel Ahmed and Gerhard Erasmus, the match showcased the significance of tactical bowling in low-scoring encounters. Oman’s position in the standings puts them in a strong position as they prepare to face the USA for a chance at the top of the table, reinforcing their competitiveness in the League 2 tri-series.
Original Source: timesofoman.com
