Oman secures place for maiden World T20

KATHMANDU, July 24: Asian cricketing minnow Oman became the last team to secure berth for next year's ICC World T20 on Thursday. Oman overcame African side Namibia by five wickets during the playoff match of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers played in Dublin, Ireland.

Player-of-the-match Zeeshan Siddiqui quick-fired unbeaten 51 runs off 32 for Oman as it chased 149 runs target in the 19th over to secure a place in the global showpiece for the first time. Siddiqui hit two sixes and six boundaries for Oman's thrilling win.Scotland, Ireland, Hong Kong, Netherlands and Afghanistan have already qualified for the World Cup and will join 10 full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the global stage of shortest version of game.

The 41-run opening partnership between Khawar Ali (18 off 14) and Zeeshan Maqsood (28 off 26) gave a solid foundation for Oman's run chase.

However, 62 runs stand for the fourth wicket between Jatinder Singh (33 off 31) and Siddiqui (51) confirmed Oman's victory.

Earlier, being asked to bat first, Namibia put 148/9 in allotted 20 overs with Stephan Baard's 62 runs from 52 balls and Raymond van Schoor's 34 runs from 23 balls.

Stephan and Raymond had added 66 runs for the second wicket to help Namibia put a fighting total. However,its bowlers failed to defend the total.

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