Muscat – Oman’s young, all-homegrown side suffered a harsh reality check at the Singapore National Cricket Ground on Friday, going down by 154 runs to a rampant Hong Kong in their final Group B fixture of the Men’s T20I Asian Games Qualifier.

However, the defeat did little to diminish Oman’s achievement of securing a historic Asian Games berth. Having already booked their place in the semi-finals with consecutive wins over Singapore and Bahrain, the inexperienced squad will now turn its attention to a high-stakes last-four clash against tournament favourites Nepal on June 7.

Captain Sufyan Mehmood’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss proved costly as Hong Kong produced one of the most destructive batting displays of the tournament, piling up a staggering 287 for 1 in their 20 overs.

Opener Anshuman Rath led the assault with a sensational unbeaten 140 off just 56 deliveries, striking 13 fours and 10 sixes at a remarkable strike rate of 250. He shared a dominant 192-run opening stand with skipper Nizakat Khan, who blasted 76 from 45 balls, including six fours and four sixes.

Oman finally made a breakthrough in the 15th over when Naveed Al Balushi dismissed Nizakat, but the respite was brief. Babar Hayat then launched a breathtaking late onslaught, hammering an unbeaten 63 from only 19 balls, with seven fours and five sixes, to propel Hong Kong to their imposing total.

Faced with a daunting target of 288, Oman never managed to gain a foothold in the chase. The batting line-up struggled to keep pace with the required rate and was dismantled by Hong Kong’s disciplined attack.

Off-spinner Ehsan Khan was the chief destroyer, claiming 4 for 12 from his four overs to rip through the middle order.

There were, nevertheless, some encouraging contributions from Oman’s batters. Zubair Al Balushi top-scored with a brisk 40 off 23 balls, including five fours and two sixes, while wicketkeeper Muzaffar Shiralkar struck 36 from 26 deliveries, hitting six fours and a six. Oman eventually closed on 133 for 8 from their 20 overs.

The match also marked the T20I debuts of Munthir Al Balushi and Faris Al Balushi.

Oman finished with four points to trail group toppers Hong Kong, who next face Malaysia in the semi-finals.

Oman Cricket wins award

Oman Cricket (OC) has been named Asia’s winner in the ICC Digital Fan Engagement of the Year category, earning a place among the global nominees for the prestigious ICC Development Awards 2025 and further cementing the Sultanate’s growing reputation as one of cricket’s most innovative emerging nations.

The honour, announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as part of its ICC Development Awards 2025 on Friday, places Oman among a select group of regional winners who will now compete for global honours to be announced in July.

The award recognises the innovative use of digital platforms, campaigns and technology to drive fan engagement, with Oman emerging as Asia’s standout performer in the category ahead of several other Associate cricketing nations.

The other continental winners who will vie along with Oman for the Global Award are Cricket Namibia (Africa), Cricket Canada (Americas), Japan Cricket Association (East Asia-Pacific), and Cricket Scotland (Europe).

Alkesh Joshi, senior OC board member and treasurer, described the recognition as a landmark achievement for the organisation and a validation of its long-term strategy to grow the game through meaningful audience engagement.

“This recognition by the ICC is a proud milestone for Oman Cricket and a powerful validation of our long-term vision to transform how the game engages with audiences,” Joshi said.

“Our focus on organic growth and platform-native storytelling reflects a broader ambition—not just to grow numbers, but to build meaningful, lasting connections with cricket communities in Oman and across the world.”

Joshi noted that the latest achievement builds on Oman Cricket’s growing international reputation, following its global recognition in 2023 for the ICC’s Best Women’s Cricket Development Programme.

“Building on our 2023 global award for the best Women’s Cricket Development Programme, this achievement signals the emergence of Oman Cricket as a progressive force shaping the future of the sport in associate nations,” he said.

“As we move to the global stage, we remain committed to innovation, inclusivity, and expanding cricket’s reach in ways that inspire the next generation of players and fans in Oman.”

He added that Oman Cricket is also looking to broaden its engagement with Arabic-speaking audiences.

“To expand our outreach, we have also added capabilities in Arabic media and going forward we would like to expand cricket’s outreach to the Arabic audience as well,” Joshi said.

The ICC Development Awards, established in 2002, recognise and celebrate outstanding work undertaken by ICC Associate Members to grow cricket around the world. The awards honour achievements across development initiatives, women’s cricket, team performances, digital engagement and social impact programmes.

Among other major regional winners, the Emirates Cricket Board secured four nominations across different categories, while Indonesia also claimed four honours in the East Asia-Pacific region as the ICC announced 30 ICC Development Awards 2025 regional winners across six categories. Brazil and Japan were also repeat winners and will each contest three Global Awards. The regional winners came from 20 ICC members, who now advance to Global Award contention.