Prajapati, Zeeshan star in Oman victory

Muscat, Feb 19

Kashyap Prajapati and captain Zeeshan Maqsood were in sublime form as they powered hosts Oman to a convincing nine-wicket win against Canada in a crucial Group B match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifiers at the Oman Cricket Academy ground, Al Amerat, here on Saturday.

It was a critical game from Oman's point of view as they faced a must-win situation after their opening game loss to Nepal. The win will boost Oman's prospects of qualifying for the semifinals where top two teams from each group will compete.

Oman were chasing a competitive 156 for victory and were jolted by the early loss of star batsman Jatinder Singh after an opening partnership of 30.

Skipper Zeeshan Maqsood and Prajapati steadied the ship for Oman thereafter as they put on a fine 129-run unbroken partnership which helped the hosts romp home with 12 balls to spare.

Prajapati's power-packed innings of 74 off 56 balls was studded with five boundaries and four maximums. Maqsood, on the other hand, produced a fiery knock of 76 in just 44 deliveries with six boundaries and five sixes. Canada's Jatinderpal Matharu was in the firing line of Maqsood as he went for 19 runs off his second over as the Oman skipper went on a rampage.

Maqsood and Prajapati went absolutely hammer and tongs in the last three overs where they smashed 47 runs taking apart Rayyan Pathan and Matharu in their two-over spells.

Pathan went for 24 runs and Matharu 23 runs in their respective overs as Oman coasted home comfortably.

RAVINDERPAL SHINES FOR CANADA

Earlier, Ravinderpal Singh in the company of Saad Zafar took Canada to 83 before Maqsood broke the stand.

In the initial stages of the Canadian innings, opening pair of Rayyan Pathan and Matthew Spoors got them off to a flyer. Pathan gave Canada the early impetus but was out in the fifth over for 26 after slamming four boundaries. Spoors was out to an exceptional Kaleemullah wicket-maiden sixth over.

Oman bowlers were disciplined and restricted their opponents to a 62-3 at the halfway mark. Hamza Tariq and Singh pressed the acceleration button to get the run-rate going as they took 12 runs off Syed Aamir Kaleem’s 14th over. Singh finally fell in the 17th over caught brilliantly by Prajapati off Bilal Khan.

Dilllon Heylinger struck some hits in the death overs, blasting a six and two successive boundaries in the 18th over to stay unbeaten on 21 off ten balls. Tariq ended Canada’s innings with a six to help the team’s total of 155 for six.

Navneet Dhaliwal, Captain Canada said, “Catches win matches is an age-old saying. We dropped some big catches, of their opener [Kashyap Prajapati]. If we had taken those chances, the match could have gone differently. We only have ourselves to blame. I think Oman bowled really well, so credit goes to them. But we were quite happy with the total we put up.”

Zeeshan Maqsood, Captain Oman said: “We really needed this win, and it was great to achieve it. After Jatinder got out, coach [Duleep Mendis] supported my decision to come out at one down.

“The way KP (Kashyap) played was crucial. We were getting runs on both the ends so that put pressure on Canada. I was also happy that we could restrict Canada to 155. We had a complete performance and the way we won underlines it.”

Bhurtel ton seals Nepal’s victory

Kushal Bhurtel slammed a sparkling, unbeaten 61-ball century as Nepal defeated the Philippines by 136 runs in the second game at Oman Academy 2 ground on Saturday.

Coming out to bat after the Philippines won the toss, Nepal scored 218/3 in their 20 overs. Opener Aasif Sheikh was sent packing for a golden duck in the second over and soon after, Kushal Malla followed.

A 171-run fourth-wicket stand between Bhurtel and the experienced Dipendra Singh Airee (83 off 47) meant that Philippines went into the break, looking at a target even larger than the 216 that Canada had posed on Friday. Dipendra’s inning included six fours and four sixes while Bhurtel’s inning was studded with 13 boundaries and one maximum. Philippines were then restricted to only 82/8 with contributions from Daniel Smith, Jordan Alegra and captain Jonathan Hull.

Sandeep Lamichhane did the star turn for Nepal as they once again put up an impressive bowling performance.

After defending a low score against Oman on Friday, Nepal were impressive with the ball once again as Lamichhane led from the front, with figures of 3/9. This is the third-highest margin of victory in T20 Internationals for Nepal.