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Oman reaches semis after thrilling win over Saudis

Oman beating Saudi
Oman beating Saudi
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BANGKOK: Oman Under-19 reached the semifinals of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier Asia Division two after coming out victorious from its sternest test in the tournament and beating Saudi Arabia by 4 wickets in a crucial Group A clash in Bangkok on Wednesday.





Unbeaten Oman has now


strengthened its position at the top of team standings with 6 points


from three games, followed by Saudi Arabia with 4 points from three


outings.





Oman bowlers were outstanding again, dismissing Saudis for 104 in the 42nd


over. Kevin Stagy Kattokaran and Sanjay Ravindran ran through another


opposition batting line-up, picking up three wickets each.





Struggling at 40 for 5,


Oman showed great character in fighting back, Neev Poojari playing the


leading role in putting the run chase back on track with two vital


partnerships. He was first involved in a 39-run 6th wicket


partnership with captain Prathamesh Kumble (11 off 59) and then an


unbroken 26-run partnership with Yash Mehta who remained not out on 11


off 29. Neev’s 42 not out off 107 balls, including 3 boundaries,


ultimately steered Oman to a fighting victory. Opener Adeel Abbas had


earlier scored 15 off 38. Saud claimed three wickets for Saudis.





In the other low-scoring


Group A game yesterday, Thailand beat Bhutan by 20 runs even after


scoring only 60. In the Group B results, Hong Kong thrashed Bahrain by


96 runs while Maldives match against China was abandoned due to rain.





Oman will now take on hosts Thailand on Friday before playing the semifinals on Sunday. The final is scheduled for Monday.




Brief scores: Saudi Arabia 104 all out in 41.3 overs (Muhammed Taha 23 – 1x4, Abdullah Riaz 20 – 4x4. Kevin Stagy 3-08, Sanjay Ravindran 3-16) lost to Oman 105 for 6 in 47. Neev Poojari 42 not out – 3x4, Adeel Abbas 15, Yash Mehta 11 not out. Saud 3-12) by 4 wickets.




By Shahzad Raza



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