Muscat – Oman’s ACC Men’s Premier Cup campaign ended in disappointment on Saturday as Hong Kong powered to a nine-wicket victory in the third-place play-off, handing Vinayak Shukla’s side a fourth successive defeat.

Sanju Sajeev’s fighting half-century was not enough to prevent Oman from being bowled out for 144 in 40.1 overs at the UKM-YSD Cricket Oval in Bangi, Malaysia, as Hong Kong rode on Nasrulla Rana’s four-wicket haul before Anshuman Rath and Zeeshan Ali made light work of the chase.

The defeat also brought into sharp focus Oman’s batting struggles that persisted throughout the tournament.

Hong Kong raced to 146 for one in just 19.5 overs to secure third place and a spot in the ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup alongside finalists UAE and Nepal.

Electing to bat, Oman suffered an early collapse as Hong Kong struck four times inside the opening four overs.

Mujibur Ali fell for three at nine, Jatinder Singh followed for five two runs later, while Hammad Mirza was dismissed without scoring. Jiten Ramanandi’s departure for four left Oman reeling at 16 for four after 3.5overs.

Karan Sonavale attempted to rebuild with 17 from 22 balls, hitting three boundaries, but his dismissal at 52 opened the door for another setback.

Captain Vinayak Shukla then added 23 from 31 deliveries, including a four and two sixes, before becoming the sixth wicket to fall with Oman on 74.

From there, Sajeev was left to carry the innings. The 27-year-old middle-order batter, playing only his second ODI, showed determination as wickets continued to fall around him, reaching his half-century from 80 balls. He eventually made 59 from 99 deliveries, hitting six fours and a six.

However, he found little support from the rest of the batting order.

Apart from Sajeev’s 59, Shukla’s 23, Sonavale’s 17, and Nadeem Khan’s11, the remaining batters were restricted to single-digit scores.

Oman lost their last wicket at 144 in the 41st over, with Sajeev’s dismissal off Aizaz Khan bringing the innings to an end.

Rana led Hong Kong’s bowling effort with four for 26 from nine overs. Yasim Murtaza claimed three wickets, while Aizaz Khan returned exceptional figures of two for three from 4.1 overs.

Hong Kong’s response was in complete contrast.

Rath reached his half-century from 41 balls as the opening partnership brought up 100 runs from just 84 deliveries.

Zeeshan also was in attack mode, striking eight fours and a six in his 63 from 54 deliveries. His dismissal at 131 for one in the 19th over, bowled by Shakeel Ahmed, proved to be Oman’s only breakthrough.