Saturday 27 / April / 2024
Muscat: Zeeshan Maqsood smashed an unbeaten century as Oman routed Vanuatu for a nine-wicket victory in the ongoing ICC World Cricket League Division 5 competition in Jersey on Tuesday.
Chasing a 205-run target set by Vanuatu, Oman eased to victory in just 40.4 overs scoring 208 for one, thanks to a determined unbeaten knock of 130 by Zeeshan. Oman opener’s knock innings was studded with 17 fours and two sixes.
The result, their third success in a row, has virtually assured Oman of a place in the final which will in turn will enable them to seal their promotion to Division 4.
But before that Oman will have to complete their league engagements, playing a rather easy opponents in Tanzania on Wednesday and a tough team in Guernsey on Friday.
If everything goes in Oman’s favour they will be contesting Saturday's final against Guernsey, who also won all the three matches they have played so far. Guernsey, however, have to tackle hosts Jersey on Wednesday and then Oman on Friday.
On Tuesday, Vanuatu won the toss and elected to bat first against Oman hoping to set a defendable target.
But the team from the South Pacific Ocean nation preferred to play cautious after Oman pacer Rajesh Ranpura had their opener Jonathan Dunn (8) caught behind early in the innings.
However, fellow opener Joshua Rasu (34) combined well with number three batsman Nalin Nipiko study the ship. Nipiko infact took the attack to Oman and scored an unbeaten 93 off 108 deliveries with nine fours and three sixes.
Later Ronald Tari (35) giving him good company, Nipiko made sure Vanuatu put up a respectable score of 204 for seven in 50 overs.
In reply, Oman payed calculated game and with Zeeshan Maqsood mixing caution with aggression, they took the match away from Vanuatu.
Zeeshan was dominant partner in his 103-run first wicket stand with Khawar Ali, who scored 29 with four fours. With Oman crossing the halfway mark in just about 18 overs and with number three batsman Vaibhav Wategaonkar too showing good touch, it was a matter of how quickly Oman will reach their target and whether Zeeshan will be able to complete his century, which the opener did to the delight of the entire Oman cricket fraternity.
In other matches played on Tuesday, Jersey defeated Tanzania by 85 runs while Guernsey romped to 10-wicket win over Nigeria.
Lalcheta reprimanded
Meanwhile, Oman captain Ajay Lalcheta has been reprimanded for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during his side’s 58-run victory over hosts Jersey in the ICC World Cricket League Division 5 in Grainville on Monday.
According to news posted on International Cricket Council (ICC) Ajay was found to have breached Article 2.1.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match”.
Ajay admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee David Jukes. As such, there was no need for a formal hearing.
The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Mark Hawthorne, Jacqueline Williams and third umpire Alex Dowdalls.
SCOREBOARD
VANUATU
J. Dunn c Khadye b Ranpura 8
J. Rasu b Lalcheta 34
N. Nipiko (not out) 93
A. Mansale c Bilal Khan b Aamir Kaleem 11
SW Kalworai c Lalcheta b Zeeshan Maqsood 5
R. Tari b Bilal Khan 35
JW Chilia run out 2
SH Obed c Khadye b Ranpura 3
J. Vira (not out) 4
Extras (b-1, lb-4, w-3, nb-1) 9
Total (7 wkts; 50 overs) 204
Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-53, 3-70, 4-94, 5-138, 6-157, 7-160.
Bowling: Bilal Khan 10-0-60-1 (nb-1, w-1); Rajesh Ranpura 10-3-37-2 (w-1); Mehran Khan 4-0-14-0; Ajay Lalcheta 10-3-28-1 (w-1); Aamir Kaleem 10-3-36-1; Zeeshan Maqsood 6-2-24-1.
OMAN
Zeeshan Maqsood not out 130
Khawar Ali c Rasu b Mansale 29
VS Wategaonkar not out 35
Extras (lb-2, w-9, nb-3) 14
Total (1 wkt; 40.4 overs) 208
Fall of wickets: 1-103.
Bowling: C. Blake 7-1-45-0 (nb-3, w-1); N. Nipiko 3-1-24-0; JW Chilia 10-1-29-0 (w-1); C. Mete 3-0-18-0; A. Mansale 10-0-46-1; SH Obed 5.4-0-32-0; J. Rasu 2-0-12-0.
