Ali stars as Oman seal thrilling final-over victory over Ireland

Barnaby Read 22:07 09/03/2016
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  • Oman successfully chased down Ireland's first-innings total of 155.

    Oman announced themselves on the global stage in stunning fashion in Dharamsala on Wednesday night as they stunned favourites Ireland with a two wicket win in the last over of the match.

    A combination of a never say die attitude form the Gulf side and remarkably sloppy bowling from the Irish handed Oman the famous win.

    With just two balls remaining in the match, Sultan Ahmed’s side crossed the line as Max Sorensen’s waist high no-ball escaped the gaping legs of Niall O’Brien and rushed to the boundary, sparking joyous scenes of celebration as Oman’s players rushed the pitch.

    It is a debut that will live long in the memory of these players and made the world take note of the latest cricketing success story to come out of the Middle East.

    Amir Ali’s 32 from just 17 balls hauled Oman back in contention after seemingly drifting out of the match in the middle overs.

    And Oman’s star of the show was evidently delighted with both his own and his teammates’ performance as he beamed throughout the post-match press conference, saying he reveled in being given a license to play his shots.

    “Alhmd Allah, we were given this opportunity to win this first international match of the tournament,” said Amir, who works in marketing back in Oman where major corporations’ Indian and Pakistan owners hire cricketers to play for their own work side, much like they do in the UAE.

    “Everyone in this side from coaches to players has made sure this happened.”

    And Amir is not short of confidence, being described as the Chris Gayle of Oman cricket, by team manager Jameel Zaidi.

    “He is the Chris Gayle of the team. If we have difficult times trying to achieve the targets we are always wishing to send him in,” said Jameel.

    “Before this innings, the coach told him to go and try and get the maximum runs in the overs remaining as we needed 14 or 15 runs an over at that time and he did what we expected from him.”

    For captain Sultan he was delighted by his team’s showing and despite acknowledging that the players would enjoy their moment was adamant that they would remain focused on getting positive results from their remaining two qualifying matches.

    “There is a long way to go, we still have two matches,” said Sultan.

    “[The board] are all very excited and all very glad and happy for a performance like that.”

    Chasing 155 for victory, Oman flew out of the traps early on as Zeeshan Maqsood (34) and Khawar Ali (38) raced to a fifty run partnership for the opening wicket in no time at all.

    The pair looked completely at home, the occasion not seeming to get to any of the Oman players.

    In fact, it looked to have had quite the opposite effect as the Gulf side rose to the occasion in some style.

    Jatinder Singh chipped in with a handy 24 before the Irish discipline wavered, the more experience side looking more and more like the debutants than their opponents.

    In total the Irish contributed seven no balls and six wides, all contributing to their side’s downfall and Oman’s victory.

    Earlier in the day, Oman were markedly more disciplined with slingy quick Munis Ansari the pick of the bowlers with 3-37.

    The win marks a major footnote in the history of Oman and Gulf cricket and blows Group A wide open as they move level with Bangladesh ahead of the latter’s match with Ireland.

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