(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) In what has become Oman's best streak ever at the top level the national team pulled off yet another upset win in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers this time dealing fancied Netherlands a shocking six-wicket Group B loss in Edinburgh Scotland on Tuesday.
It marked Oman's second resounding win in a row after it hammered former World Cup nation Canada by seven wickets in Stirling Scotland on Sunday.
Tuesday's win saw skipper Sultan Ahmed's side rise to No 3 in the seven-team Group B standings. Oman - with four points from three outings - is right behind Afghanistan (7 points) and Kenya (5).
It took an allround effort from coach Duleep Mendis' team to get the better of the Dutch team with Man-of-the-Match Jatinder Singh striking an unbeaten 65 after Munis Ansari (4-15) and Rajeshkumar Ranpura (3-30) triggered a mid-innings collapse that cost The Netherlands its last eight wickets for just 51 runs.
Ahmed chose to field upon winning the toss and justified his decision in the end but only after a scary start for the Oman players with the Dutch openers grinding their way to a 51-run partnership in 46 balls.
Once left-arm spinner Ajay Lalcheta drew first blood by sending back Wesley Barresi (21) wickets began to come at regular intervals. Midway into The Netherlands innings Oman's pace duo of Ansari and Ranpura took charge of the proceedings to knock the opponent team out for a modest 135 in 19.4 overs.
Opener Stephan Myburgh hung around for a well-made 41 and Max O'Dowd hit a quickfire 32 against the run of play. Oman's left-arm spinner Syed Amir Ali (2-26) too made a couple of effective dents.Oman began its chase of 136 in brutal fashion looking to wrap up the proceedings in quick time. It lost four wickets in the process but there were enough useful knocks from the top and middle-order that carried it to the target with consummate ease.
While Jatinder stood out with his unbeaten 56-ball effort flashy opener Zeeshan Maqsood (29) - hero of the previous match against Canada - and skipper-stumper Ahmed (24 not out) produced useful supporting roles ensuring the win came with one over to spare.
The Netherlands skipper Peter Borren tried out as many as eight bowlers in a desperate bid to stop a charging Oman but they couldn't threaten the batsmen much except for picking up the odd wicket.
The twin wins for Oman in the qualifying competition that is being held jointly by Scotland and Ireland has come a year since Oman Cricket (OC) roped in former Sri Lankan Test star Mendis as its chief development officer.
Oman's next game comes up on Wednesday against Afghanistan in Edinburgh.
OC officials were elated with the team's back-to-back wins. Madhu Jesrani OC secretary told Muscat Daily over phone from Edinburgh 'It's a great victory for the national team. With these two wins the players are in high spirits. This win against The Netherlands will now serve as a morale booster for the team at its next game against Afghanistan.'
Former England World Cupper Derek Pringle who mentored the Oman team for a fortnight in Scotland in the lead-up to the qualifying competition congratulated the players but had a word of caution as well.
'Well played Oman. This second win constitutes a streak' he tweeted. 'Tomorrow's match against Afghanistan will be the toughest yet.'Meanwhile Oman's Khawar Ali returned home following his father's demise. He will be replaced by Arun Poulose for the rest of the qualifiers.
Other results:
Group B: Canada 132-9 in 20 overs lost to UAE 136-5 in 19.1 overs.Kenya 141-5 in 20 overs lost to Scotland 142-3 in 14.5 overs.
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