SPORT REPORTER
MUSCAT, JUN 1
Oman's youthful homegrown squad, featuring 10 international debutants, launched their Men's T20I Asian Games Qualifier campaign with a thrilling seven run victory over hosts Singapore on Monday.
Led by experienced all-rounder Sufyan Mehmood, the all-Omani side displayed composure beyond their experience to secure a morale-boosting win via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in a rain-affected Group B clash at the Singapore National Cricket Ground.
After weather interruptions reduced the contest to 15 overs per side, Oman posted a competitive 149 for 7 before restricting Singapore to 143 for 6 while defending a revised DLS target of 151.
The foundation for Oman's victory was laid by openers Mohammad al Balushi and Shuaib al Balushi, who put on a blistering 78-run stand in just seven overs.
Mohammad set the tone with a sparkling 44 off 26 balls, striking five fours and three sixes, while Shuaib played the anchor role with a composed 40 from 35 deliveries, including four boundaries and a six.
The strong start put Oman firmly in command before Singapore fought back through the middle overs. The Oman innings lost momentum after slipping to 115 for 4 in the 12th over, with Zubair al Balushi's quickfire 19 off 10 balls — featuring two sixes and a four — the only notable contribution thereafter.
Late boundaries from Wasim al Balushi helped Oman push their total to 149 for 7, a score that ultimately proved enough.
Singapore responded aggressively, led by skipper Rezza Gaznavi's 49 off 33 balls and Aslan Jafri's enterprising 27 from just 17 deliveries. The hosts remained in the hunt despite losing wickets at regular intervals.
The turning point came through debutant pacer Nawed al Balushi, who produced a match-winning spell of 4 for 22 from his three overs. His incisive bowling ripped through Singapore's middle order and halted their momentum at crucial stages of the chase. Nawed was later adjudged the player of the match.
The win gives Oman an early advantage in Group B of the seven-team qualifying tournament, where the top two sides from each group will progress to the semi-finals and secure qualification for the Asian Games in Japan later this year.
Group A comprises Nepal, China, and Malaysia, while Group B features Oman, Singapore, Bahrain and Hong Kong.
Oman will next face Bahrain on June 3 before concluding their group-stage campaign against Hong Kong on June 5.
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