Oman come from behind against Hong Kong to claim T20 World Cup spot
Oman struggled at first to bounce back from a demoralising defeat to Namibia on Tuesday, and Hong Kong's fielding was on point as two direct hit run outs – one each from Nizakat Khan and Kinchit Shah – contributed to a collapse which left Oman 22/3 in the fifth over, and 42/6 by the end of the ninth.
Oman defeat Hong Kong by 12 runs.
But opener Jatinder Singh (67* from 50) combined with Aamir Kaleem (17) for 42 runs and then Mohammad Naseem (26* from 9) for 50 runs. The latter of those partnerships came from only 19 balls, and dragged Oman up to a competitive, but far from intimidating, 134/7.
As bad as Oman's start was, Hong Kong's was worse. Bilal Khan (4/23) and Fayyaz Butt (2/17) claimed five wickets between them in the first four overs, leaving the chase in tatters before it began at 18/5. Keeper Scott McKechnie then put on 52 runs with Haroon Arshad (20), before a brace of wickets left Hong Kong needing a manageable 53 runs in 6.3 overs, though with only three wickets in hand.
When McKechnie was dismissed for 44 however, it became apparent that it would be Oman who would be booking a spot in Australia for the T20 World Cup. Hong Kong eventually finished on 122/9.
Oman will now face off against Scotland in the 5th/6th place play-off match on Thursday.