MUSCAT: stunning maiden century from Hammad Mirza, complemented by a career-best knock from Wasim Ali, powered Oman to a thrilling three-wicket win over hosts Namibia in their ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 match, sealing victory with five balls to spare at the Wanderers Cricket Ground in Windhoek on Saturday.
The win also marked a perfect start to Oman's head coach Sulakshan Kulkarni’s tenure, who took over the reins in March.
Oman’s opening match of the League 2 tri-series against Scotland was abandoned on April 2 due to wet outfield.
The two points from Saturday’s win strengthened Oman’s push for a top-four finish, taking them to 27 points from 22 games to keep them firmly in the hunt for the 2027 ODI World Cup Qualifiers. The top four from the ongoing League 2 will advance to the World Cup Qualifiers.
The USA top the table with 36 points from 24 games, followed by Scotland (31 from 25 games) and the Netherlands (28 from 24 matches).
On Saturday, Oman chased a challenging target of 269 in a closely-fought contest that ebbed and flowed until the final over. Player of the match Mirza delivered the winning blow with a six to seal the result.
The 27-year old right-handed batter hammered his maiden ODI century, remaining unbeaten on 112 off 128 balls. His innings was studded with 12 boundaries and a six, and it anchored Oman’s response after a shaky start.
Jatinder Singh-led side lost both openers early, slipping to 45/3, before Mirza first stabilised the innings with a crucial 81-run fourth-wicket partnership alongside Mujibur Ali, who scored a brisk 43 off 42 balls.
The defining moment came with the sixth-wicket partnership between Mirza and Wasim Ali. Ali’s aggressive 62 off 49 balls shifted momentum decisively, with the pair adding 124 runs to put Oman firmly in control.
Mirza displayed remarkable temperament, pacing his innings perfectly—reaching his fifty in 76 balls before accelerating to his maiden century in 121 deliveries.
Despite losing a couple of late wickets, Oman crossed the finish line in 49.1 overs.
Earlier, Namibia, put to bat first, posted a competitive 268/7. Willem Myburgh laid the foundation with a steady 43, while captain Gerhard Erasmus contributed a fluent 54 off 55 balls.
Louren Steenkamp added 32, helping Namibia rebuild through the middle overs.
The innings gained momentum at the death through a 50-run seventh-wicket stand between Zane Green (42 off 22) and Dylan Leicher (30* off 17), taking Namibia from 198/6 to a strong total.
Oman’s bowling effort was led by Hassnain Shah (3/58), while Shakeel Ahmed impressed with 2/31, maintaining pressure through the middle overs.
Oman will now take on Scotland on April 8 with Kulkarni hoping that his boys maintain the winning start. They conclude their tri-series engagement with a game against Namibia on April 10.
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