Friday, March 29
09:11 AM

Berrington, Sole shine as Scotland beat Oman

28 Sep 2021 By ASHOK PUROHIT

ICC WORLD CRICKET LEAGUE 2


Oman – Scotland notched up their second successive victory in the ongoing ICC World Cricket League (WCL) 2 tri-series on Tuesday with an 18-run win over hosts Oman at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground.

Having defeated Papua New Guinea (PNG) in their opening match on Saturday, Scotland, made good use of the pitch first against the hosts to put up a score of 273 for six, courtesy a brilliant 97 by Richie Berrington and skipper Kyle Coetzer’s 60.

Duleep Mendis’ boys overcame a middle-order slump to take the fight to the opposition camp with a rearguard action from Sandeep Goud, who hit an unbeaten half-century (54).

Despite the defeat, Oman lead the WCL 2 standings with 24 points from 16 games while the USA is second with 14 points from equal number of games. Scotland is a point behind at third after ten games.

Oman had begun this tri-series with a thumping 110-run win over PNG on Sunday.
Among the positives, despite the loss, for Oman on Tuesday would be the spirited fightback by the lower-order marshalled admirably by Goud with able support from Naseem Khushi (27) and Kaleemullah (20).

In the chase, Oman lost opener Kashyap Prajapati without a run on board but Aqib Ilyas (33) and Jatinder Singh (65-ball 64) shared a 102-run stand in 21 overs. However, both departed at 102 in a space of five balls. Early dismissals of Suraj Kumar, skipper Zeeshan Maqsood and Ayaan Khan took the wind out of Oman’s sails as they failed to capitalise on Jatinder and Ilyas’ partnership. By the 32nd over Oman were struggling at 145 for six. Khawar Ali’s run-out (155 for seven) left Goud and Khushi to chase down 119 for victory in the final 12 overs.

Both took up the challenge and were involved in a 54-run partnership that ended when Khushi was caught by Berrington off Chris Sole, who picked three for 79. Kaleemullah struck two sixes and one four in his 20 to raise victory hopes with but was hit-wicket to leave Oman needing 31 from 12. They ended up at 255 for nine with Goud’s unbeaten knock comprising three boundaries and four sixes.

Earlier, Scotland got off to a solid start as they scored 107 for two in 23 overs. Berrington was unlucky to miss his century as he was run out on the penultimate ball of the Scotland innings on 97, which included five fours and five sixes.

On Wednesday, Scotland meet PNG in a day-night match.

Brief scores:
Scotland
273-6 in 50 overs (Berrington 97, Coetzer 60, Dylan Budge 32 n.o.; Maqsood 1-56, Kaleemullah 1-35, Ayaan 1-37, Khawar 1-49) beat Oman 255-9 in 50 overs (Jatinder 64, Goud 54 n.o.; Sole 3-79).

© 2021 Apex Press and Publishing. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Mesdac