Oman Quadrangular Series 2019: Day 1 Round-up

The quadrangular series involving Oman, Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands started today at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground Oman Cricket (Ministry Turf 1), Al Amarat, Oman. This is the first time Oman is hosting an international T20I series.

Out of six matches to be played in the tournament, two matches were played on the opening day - the first one being Netherlands vs Scottland and the second one pitting the hosts Oman against Ireland.

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Match 1: Netherlands vs Scotland

In the opening match of the tournament, Netherlands registered a comprehensive win over Scotland.

Netherlands won the toss and opt to bowl first. Having been sent in, Scotland put on 33 for 0 after two overs as George Munsey made a quickfire 32-off-11 which consisted of five fours and two sixes.

But Netherlands came back strongly once Kyle Coetzer fell on the first ball of the third over. They restricted Scotland to 153/7 in the 20 overs which meant 120 came off the final 18 overs.

Fred Klaassen and Timm van der Gugten each bagged 2 wickets whereas Calum MacLeod top scored from Scotland with 53.

Chasing 154 in 20 overs can be tricky, but a Dutch record opening partnership of 100 runs between Stephan Myburgh and Tobias Visee ensured a stress-free chase. Visee played a brilliant knock of 71 off 43 balls which consisted of 8 fours and 3 sixes. Myburg made a cautious 24 in 30 balls before getting caught in the 12th over.

Visee followed him a few deliveries later and Scotland might have sniffed a chance there. But Ryan ten Doeschate and Wesley Barresi, with an unbeaten 33-run stand, ensured their team were past the finish line.

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Match 2: Oman vs Ireland

Paul Stirling was 'Player of the Match' for his 71 runs.

In the second match of the day, Ireland defeated the hosts Oman by 15 runs and secured the top position in the points table.

Oman skipper Ajay Lalcheta won the toss and invited Ireland to bat. Stand-in captain Paul Stirling played an amazing knock of 71 off 51 balls and laid a solid foundation for the team. He was well-supported by Andrew Balbirnie, with whom he added 78 runs for the second wicket.

Ireland ended their innings at 159 for 5 in 20 overs. Fayyaz Butt of Oman took 2 wickets for his team.

Chasing the target of 160 to win, Oman didn't have the best of starts and both of their openers were back in the pavilion by the end of the 4th over. Nevertheless, Khurram Nawaz and Amir Kaleem stabilized the innings by adding 41 runs for the 3rd wicket.

In fact, Oman were in command at 73 for 3, needing less than eight per over, with Aamir Kaleem still at the crease on 21. But at that moment, off-spinner Simi Singh derailed Oman's chase with three wickets in the space of five balls in the 10th over, reducing the hosts to 76 for 6.

Oman never really recovered from these blows and ended up making 144 for 9 in their 20 overs. With a 15-run win, Ireland ended their five-match winless streak in T20 international matches.