World T20 2021 | Oman vs SCO: As Super 12 race intensifies, Scotland eye easy passage
Oman would be extremely disappointed after they suffered a defeat against Bangladesh in a match that looked in the hosts’ control at one stage in Al Amerat on Tuesday. If they had clinched a win against the Asian side, Oman would have created a great chance for themselves to qualify for the Super 12s. Though, the side is still in the race but there have to be a lot of permutations and combinations associated with their qualification now. Despite a brilliant stand of 80 runs for the third wicket between Shakib and Naim, the Oman bowlers got the team back in the hunt after picking up wickets in quick succession in the later stage of the innings. Bangladesh were eventually bundled out for 153 in 20 overs. Oman in reply, lost early wicket but Jatinder Singh was holding the fort in a steady manner before he was eventually undone by Shakib for 40. Oman didn’t really make a comeback in the match after Jatinder’s scalp and were restricted to 127/9 in 20 overs eventually. Mustafizur Rahman picked up a total of four wickets for his side. On the other hand, Scotland stamped authority after they won yet another encounter in the preliminary stage. Scotland had caused a major upset in their very first match against Bangladesh after winning that particular game and carried the form against PNG as well. After putting up 165/9 in 20 overs, the Scotland bowlers ripped through PNG’s top and middle order and left them tottering at 67/6. But it was Norman Vanua’s 37-ball 47 that provided PNG with some resistance but his efforts weren’t enough as he lost patterns at the other end. PNG were bowled out for 148 in the final over. Oman and Scotland will now lock horns with each other on Thursday in Al Amerat. While the home side would be looking to get back to their winning ways and stay alive in the race, Scotland would seek to continue form. Match Details Match: OMAN vs SCO, 10th Match, Group B, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 Date: Thursday, October 21, 2021 Time: 7:30 PM Venue: Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1), Al Amerat Telecast: Star Sports Network Pitch Report The evening fixture at the venue on Tuesday saw the bowlers getting some help in the later half of the match. Mustafizur and Shakib were on song for Bangladesh against Oman and rattled the batting line up to eventually win the match. The pitch is likely to behave in the same manner. So, if you win the toss, elect to bat first. Oman’s batting depth- A worry Oman openers Jatinder Singh and Aquib Ilyas anchored the side to a 10-wicket win against PNG in the first encounter but a disappointing start to the chase in the second match against Bangladesh certainly exposed the lack of batting depth. None of the players in the middle order got in the groove and helped the side come out of a tricky situation which later resulted in their defeat. This is probably the biggest concern of the team management. Scotland equipped with match-winners Who would have thought that struggling from 53/6 against a side like Bangladesh that has so much international experience, Scotland would not only put up a fighting total but would also defend it. But they did and they did it with authority. Chris Greaves first came for the rescue with the bat after chipping in with a 28-ball 45 and then picked up a couple of wickets to produce an all-round show. They then faced a side with a very brief career at the highest level, PNG but were under the pressure after losing two early wickets while batting. The Scotland team were then provided with a much-needed resistance by Cross and Berrington who chipped in with important runs and anchored the side to 165/9 in 20 overs. Later, the bowlers managed to pick some early wickets but Vanua fought back well. However, Scotland won the match by 17 runs later. They just need to stick to the basics now. Probable XI Scotland: George Munsey, Kyle Coetzer (c), Matthew Cross (wk), Richie Berrington, Calum MacLeod, Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Josh Davey, Bradley Wheal, Alasdair Evans Oman: Jatinder Singh, Aqib Ilyas, Kashyap Prajapati, Zeeshan Maqsood (c), Mohammad Nadeem, Ayaan Khan, Sandeep Goud, Naseem Khushi (wk), Kaleemullah, Fayyaz Butt, Bilal Khan CE Fantasy XI Naseem Khushi, Kyle Coetzer, George Munsey, Calum MacLeod, Jatinder Singh (VC), Aqib Ilyas, Zesspan Maqsood (C), Richie Berrington, Mark Watt, Bilal Khan, Fayyaz Butt