KATHMANDU, Feb 10: Oman national cricket team defeated Nepal by eight wickets to register its third consecutive victory in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 in a match played at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Sunday.
Oman has climbed up to the top of the points table with its seventh win in nine matches, including three consecutive wins in the ongoing series, collecting 14 points. Oman eclipsed the third team of the series, the United States, which slid down to second position with 12 points after 10 matches.
Oman all-rounder Aqib Ilyas notched up an unbeaten century and captain Zeeshan Maqsood’s registered an unbeaten half-century sharing a partnership of 167 runs to chase the target of 250 runs in the 48th over.
Young prodigy Kushal Malla knocked over Jatinder Singh for 23 runs in the 12th over to provide the first break-through for Nepal. However, his opening partner Khawar Ali further shared 34 runs with Aqib Ilyas for the second wicket before Sushan Bhari bowled him for 41 runs. Ali smashed six boundaries during the 56-ball innings.
Ilyas, Maqsood decimate US to finish unbeaten
Player-of-the-match Ilyas hammered unbeaten 109 runs off108 deliveries which included 12 boundaries and a six. He was dropped by Aarif Sheikh at gully when he was on 37. Maqsood finished the match on 68 runs off 79 deliveries scoring eight boundaries. Oman completed the target with 16 balls to spare. Bhari and Kushal Malla shared a wicket each.
Earlier, Nepal was invited to bat first after Oman won the toss. Nepal was limited for 249 for the loss of 8 wicket in 50 overs.
Subash Khakurel and captain Gyanendra Malla started with a patient opening stand of 48 runs. Khakurel departed for 22 in 15th over after being trapped LBW by Mohammad Nadeem. The veteran duo of Paras Khadka and Malla then added 59 runs for the second wicket before Khadka walked back for 38 runs. He handed a simple catch to Sandeep Goud after smashing five boundaries and a six in 34 deliveries.
Nepal was down to 107-3 after Dipendra Singh Airee’s first-ball duck. Malla brought up his second ODI half-century smashing six boundaries and a six off 72 deliveries before getting dismissed on 56 runs by Ilyas.
Kushal Malla who became the youngest half-centurion on Saturday registered two boundaries and sixes each during his 24-ball 28 runs before handing a simple catch to Ali off Iliyas in the slips. Aarif Sheikh added 28 runs while Karan KC assisted 10 runs, both were sent back by Ilyas to take his tally to four in the match.
Binod Bhandari’s irresponsible running between the wickets cost Nepal as Oman's wicket-keeper Suraj Kumar smartly connected a direct hit to run him out. Before being dismissed in the 49th over, wicket-keeper batsman Bhandari had managed 35 runs which included five boundaries. Collecting 23 runs from final two overs, Nepal posted a total of 249 runs losing eight wickets.
Ilyas conceded just 36 runs from 10 overs. Similarly, Mohammad Nadeem pocketed three wickets.
Oman will face the United States on Tuesday whereas Nepal will face the same team on Wednesday to wrap up the tri-series.
