Oman clinched a tense two-wicket win over Namibia in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2, avenging an earlier loss. This success propelled them to second place in the standings, while Namibia was dismissed for just 96 runs in their innings. The match featured strong performances from Oman’s spinners, particularly Shakeel Ahmed, leading to a critical victory as they head into their final match against the USA.
Oman achieved a significant victory over Namibia in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series, overcoming an earlier setback with a narrow two-wicket triumph at the Oman Cricket Academy in Al Amerat. This victory allowed Oman to ascend to second place in the standings with 18 points from 15 matches, trailing only the USA, which has 20 points from the same number of games. Canada follows closely behind in third with 16 points from 12 matches.
Namibia opted to bat first, a decision that proved detrimental as they struggled early, collapsing to 19 for 4 in the first ten overs. Oman’s spinners effectively utilized the conditions, with left-arm orthodox bowler Shakeel Ahmed leading the attack. He demonstrated excellent form, taking 4 wickets for 25 runs, building on his previous four-wicket tally against the USA.
Oman’s bowlers made quick work of the Namibian lineup. Jay Odedra made early breakthroughs by trapping Zane Green lbw for 6 and quickly dismissing JP Kotze for 1. Shakeel Ahmed continued to dismantle Namibia’s middle order, claiming the wickets of Jan Frylinck and tail-ender Jan-Izak de Villiers. Despite a short revival from the Namibian captain and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, who added 35 runs for the fifth wicket, Oman’s bowlers maintained control and restricted Namibia to just 96 runs in 33.1 overs.
In response, Oman began their innings with promising partnerships, notably a 42-run opening stand between skipper Jatinder Singh and Aamir Kaleem. However, once Kaleem fell in the 10th over, a batting collapse ensued, reducing Oman from 42 for 1 to 87 for 8. Gerhard Erasmus was pivotal for Namibia, capturing five wickets for 34 runs, while Bernard Scholtz contributed with two.
Amidst the collapse, Vinayak Shukla’s quick innings provided some relief, but Oman still found themselves in a precarious position with just 16 runs needed. The team displayed resilience, with Hashir Dafedar and Siddharth Bukkapatnam remaining calm under pressure, eventually leading Oman to victory in 22.4 overs. Dafedar played a crucial role, securing the win with a timely boundary and byes.
Aamir Kaleem’s performance earned him the player of the match title, showcasing his all-round abilities. Oman is now set to face the USA in a crucial game on Tuesday, which holds the potential to elevate them to the top of the table depending on the outcome of the match.
Brief Scores:
Namibia: 96 all out in 33.1 overs (Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton 30, Gerhard Erasmus 15; Shakeel Ahmed 4/25, Aamir Kaleem 2/16, Jay Odedra 2/24) lost to Oman: 100/8 in 22.4 overs (Aamir Kaleem 21, Vinayak Shukla 18; Gerhard Erasmus 5/34, Bernard Scholtz 2/31).
Oman’s victory against Namibia marked a crucial resurgence in their campaign within the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series, exemplifying their depth in spin bowling and batting resilience. This win elevated them to second place in the standings, positioning them well for their final match against the USA, which could potentially see them ascend to the top. The performances of players like Aamir Kaleem and Shakeel Ahmed played a pivotal role in this success, highlighting their significance in the team.
Original Source: timesofoman.com
