Scotland overcome resurgent Oman

MUSCAT, Sept 28

Scotland held their nerves to overcome a fully charged up Oman by 18 runs in a World Cricket League (WCL) Division 2 game at Oman Cricket Academy Ground 1 in Al Amerat on Tuesday.

Requiring 122 runs in the last 13 overs with only 3 wickets in hand, Oman rattled Scotland by pressing on the pedal, Naseem Khushi and Sandeep Goud stealing 56 in the next seven overs to reach 209 before the former perished in the 45th over. Power-hitting specialist Goud found a capable ally in Kaleemullah and the duo took Oman to 243 in the 48th over before the latter was out hit wicket while trying to hit another boundary.

Scotland bounced back from thereon. Needing 31 to win in two overs, Goud brought Oman closer to the target hitting the first two balls for a six and a four. However, Chris Sole bowled four dot balls to leave Oman a monumental task of having to score 21 in the last over.

Safyan Sheriff did exceptionally well to concede only one run in the final over to help Scotland to a sensational win. Goud remained unbeaten at 54 with 3 fours and 4 sixes.

Opener Jatinder Singh top-scored for Oman with a typically fluent 64.

Berrington shines

Earlier, Scotland rode on a brilliant 97 by Richie Berrington who mixed caution with aggression to build a platform for his side to attack the hosts who have looked pretty strong on home turf.

The tourists got off to a good start reaching 107 for 1 in 23 overs before a couple of quick wickets slowed them down. While the first half clearly belonged to opener Kyle Koetzer who struck a fluent 60, it was Berrington all the way in the second half, shifting gears to put Oman on the defensive. His five hits over the ropes were instrumental in help the tourists to a good score of 273 for 6 in 50 overs.

Brief scores: Scotland 273 for 6 in 50 overs (Richie Berrington 97 – 5x4, 5x6, Kyle Coetzer 60 – 7x4, 2x6, Dylan Budge 32 – 2x4, Calum Macleod 26 – 2x4, Mathew Cross 25 – 4x4, George Munsey 25 – 2x4) beat Oman 255 for 9 in 50 overs (Jatinder Singh 64 – 5x4, 3x6, Sandeep Goud 54 not out – 3x4, 4x6, Aqib Ilyas 33 – 2x4, Naseem Khushi 27 – 1x4, 3x6, Kaleemullah 20 – 1x4, 2x6. Chris Sole 3-79) by 18 runs.