Unbeaten Oman secures promotion while Kenya keep fighting

In the battle of the two sides yet to lose this campaign, it was hosts Oman who was too strong in the end for the USA in a four-wicket win.

The hosts’ chase owed much to Aqib Ilyas (100) although earlier with the ball Kaleemullah (3-43) had been key in restricting the USA to 213-8.

Meanwhile, Singapore missed the chance to close ground on the USA as it slipped to defeat in a high-scoring clash with Kenya.

Nelson Odhiambo (80) top scored in Kenya’s total of 324-9 and while Singapore briefly threatened in reply – largely thanks to Anish Paraam’s knock of 85 – in the end they fell 12 runs short.

USA’s hopes of taking the second promotion spot are still in its hands with a healthy net run rate and victory over Singapore in their final game would be enough. But before that, on Sunday, Kenya takes on Denmark and Oman faces Uganda.

Oman v USA ****

Having won the toss and elected to field, hosts Oman had Kaleemullah (3-43) to thank for the early inroads.

Runs were hard to come by and despite Timil Patel’s half century, it still took late cameos from Jannisar Khan (53 from 55 balls), Hayden Walsh (15 from 13 balls) and Roy Silva (19 from 13 balls) to get USA’s total north of 200.

But 213-8 never looked like being enough against an accomplished Oman outfit and Jatinder Singh (42) combined with centurion Aqib Ilyas for a 94-run second wicket partnership.

Oman skipper Zeeshan Maqsood (32) also chipped in and despite Walsh’s 2-24, Oman got there in the end with four wickets and only three balls to spare.

Kenya v Singapore

Kenya’s decision to bat first in its must-win clash with Singapore paid immediate dividends as Narendra Kalyan Patel (68), Dhiren Gondaria (42) and Alex Obanda (23) put on 113 for the first two wickets.

Anantha Krishna (3-48) and Anish Paraam (3-29) did their best to put the brakes on but Rakep Patel (52) and Nelson Odhiambo (80 from only 58 balls) continued the onslaught as it reached 324-9 from their 50 overs.

Singapore’s chase was consistent, with all of the top seven passing 20, but only Paraam (85) really kicked on.

And with Emmanuel Bundi Ringera (4-45) picking up wickets throughout, in the end Singapore left itself too much to do – being bowled out for 312 in the final over.

Scores in brief:

Oman won by four wickets at Oman Club Turf 1

USA 213-8, 50 overs (Timil Patel 54, Jannisar Khan 53; Kaleemullah 3-43)

Oman 214-6, 49.3 overs (Aqib Ilyas 100, Jatinder Singh 42; Hayden Walsh 2-24)

Kenya won by 12 runs at Oman Club Turf 2

Kenya 324-9, 50 overs (Nelson Odhiambo 80, Narendra Kalyan Patel 68; Anish Paraam 3-29, Anantha Krishna 3-48)

Singapore 312 all out (Anish Paraam 85, Rezza Gaznavi 48; Emmanuel Bundi Ringera 4-45)

Upcoming matches:

18 November: Kenya v Denmark (Oman Club Turf 1); Oman v Uganda (Oman Club Turf 2)

19 November: Singapore v USA (Oman Club Turf 1)

All matches start at 9.30am local time.