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Minnows make good in T20 shock

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By Lee Dolbear

  • Oman cause amazing early shock against Ireland
  • Bangladesh beat The Netherlands
  • All eyes on Friday as the pressure ramps

DHARAMSALA, INDIA – Oman stun Ireland on their World Twenty20 debut, in the Group A qualifying rounds.

Britwatch Cricket:

Oman, Oman, Oman.

Well I said there would be the odd shock at this years ICC World Twenty20, never did I envisage that it would be minnows Oman beating Ireland on Day 2 of the qualifiers.

Oman playing in their first major ICC tournament since they were affiliated 16 years ago beat Ireland today. With Ireland winning the toss and electing to bat they set a pretty reasonable score at the HPCA stadium, Dharamsala clubbing 154/5, Amazingly Oman managed to surpass with two balls to spare and provide a shock to the system for the Irish.

Zeeshan Maqsood and Kahwar Ali got Oman off to a solid platform chasing the 155 set to win, then Amir Ali showed mettle to steer them to glory just before he was caught behind by Niall O’Brien with only 3 more to get off 2 balls. The next ball Max Sorensen sent down a full toss, it was a no ball, it also went for four too. Getting Oman home to create themselves a little bit of history. It was heart in mouth breathtaking stuff and certainly a great win for the newbies, although Ireland will be very disappointed.

Oman’s elated skipper Sultan Ahmed said after the game “I am speechless, if we beat Netherlands and Bangladesh we will be through.”

An obvious statement, but after todays result who says they couldn’t do it? Certainly not me; they have opened my eyes today and its brilliant for them, the tournament and cricket in general.

Bangladesh also won today beating The Netherlands by 8 runs, leaving the Dutch and the Irish both needing to bounce back on Friday when they play Oman and Bangladesh respectively.

Over to Nagpur tomorrow for Scotland v Zimbabwe and later Hong Kong v Afghanistan.

But after todays events, ‘interesting group’ I said; ‘the odd shock’ I said. Just amazing excitement today and this is just the qualifying groups.

Welcome to the party Oman cricket.