Oman Scotland

All-round Khawar Ali makes it two in two for Oman

Oman Scotland

Khawar's leg-breaks supported Zeeshan Maqsood and Aamir Kaleem, who took two wickets each, in keeping hosts Scotland to 168 in 44.4 overs in Aberdeen on Thursday, 15 August. He then combined with Aqib Ilyas in a 123-run stand for the second wicket to complete a comfortable eight-wicket win.

Having chosen to bat in their first match of the tri-series, Scotland got off to a strong start courtesy Matthew Cross and Kyle Coetzer. The duo took on Mohammad Nadeem to bring up their half-century stand, before the introduction of left-arm spinners Maqsood and Kaleem changed the game.

Kaleem got the breakthrough in the 14th over, sending back Cross for 33, while Maqsood had Calum MacLeod bowled the next over. From 71/0, Scotland found themselves 76/2, and the runs dried up.

Captain Coetzer held firm to bring up his half-century, but once he became the third wicket to fall – giving Khawar his first – for 56 off 72 balls, the rest of the line-up quickly folded.

Maqsood finished with 2/32 in his 10 overs, while Kaleem had 2/30 in 7.4.

Kyle Coetzer propped up the innings for Scotland

Khawar, coming out to open in Oman's reply, was in no hurry to get the runs. Although Mark Watt struck in his first over to send back Jatinder Singh, Ilyas (61) gave Khawar the support he needed, and the pair steadily accumulated.

They were separated only in the 44th over, but by then the target was just eight runs away, and Oman reached it with almost five overs to spare.