Scotland trounced Oman by 7 wickets at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, on Sunday. Opting to bat first, Oman struggled but managed to put up 150/7 in the allotted 20 overs. Richie Berrington’s side, however, demonstrated supremacy, overhauling the target with 41 deliveries remaining.
Pratik Athavale (54) exhibited composure for Oman but received scant support from the upper and middle-order batsmen. Naseem Khushi (10), Aqib Ilyas (16), Zeeshan Maqsood (3), and Khalid Kail (5) departed cheaply, failing to anchor the innings.
At 71/4 in the 9th over, Ayaan Khan joined Pratik, constructing a partnership of 43 runs for the fifth wicket to stabilize the innings. Although Pratik couldn’t convert his fifty into a substantial score, Ayaan remained undefeated on 41 runs, propelling his side to a total of 150 runs. 
Safyaan Sharif claimed two wickets, though he was somewhat expensive with 40 runs. Mark Watt (1/25) and Brad Wheal (1/19) delivered economical spells, further consolidating Scotland’s position.
George Munsey (41 off 20) launched an aggressive onslaught for Scotland, providing a scintillating start in the chase of 150 runs. Brandon McMullen (61* off 31) unleashed a ferocious assault at number three, guiding Scotland to victory with over 6 overs to spare. Contributions from Richie Berrington (13 off 7) and Matthew Cross (15* off 8) ensured a swift conclusion, boosting the net run rate.
Bilal Khan, along with Aqib Ilyas and Mehran Khan, managed to secure a wicket each for Oman.
Pivotal Moments of the Match:
Oman’s Early Setbacks:
Pratik Athavale and Naseem Khushi spearheaded Oman’s innings initially but faltered in laying a robust foundation. Naseem Khushi succumbed to Christopher Sole on the penultimate delivery of the third over. Aqib Ilyas, arriving at number three, displayed a brief flurry, scoring 16 runs off 5 balls. However, he couldn’t maintain the momentum, falling to Safyaan Sharif in the final over of the powerplay.
Mark Watt’s Tactic Disruption:
Mark Watt, a left-arm spinner renowned for his deceptive deliveries from behind the umpire, faced resistance from the Oman batsmen twice in the 9th over, leading to confusion on the field. Khalid Kail withdrew at the last moment on the fourth ball, causing Watt to revert to a conventional delivery. When Watt attempted his tactic again, Kail appeared ready but stepped away, leading to a dead ball call. This interruption benefited Scotland, as Kail lost focus and was run out subsequently.
Ayaan Khan’s Steadfastness:
Despite tight bowling from Scotland in the death overs, Ayaan Khan broke the shackles in the final over, scoring crucial boundaries and pushing Oman’s total to 150.
George Munsey’s Onslaught:
George Munsey, discerning the conditions, accelerated after the first three overs, dismantling Oman’s bowlers with ease. His brisk 41 runs off 20 balls set a formidable tone for Scotland’s chase.
Brandon McMullen’s Rampage:
Brandon McMullen launched a relentless attack from the outset, ensuring the momentum remained with Scotland. His unbeaten 61 runs, embellished with 9 fours and 2 sixes, secured a comprehensive victory for his side.
This defeat has officially eliminated Oman from the tournament. With one match remaining, they aim to conclude their campaign with a consolation victory against England at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, on June 13 (local time). The Parimatch odds for Oman in this fixture stand at 9.60x.
Conversely, Scotland, now leading Group B with five points, will face Australia in their final group stage match at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia, on June 15 (local time).
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