Oman book World T20 ticket

Dubai - Afghanistan clinch berth for World Cup in India; PNG, Namibia go down fighting.

Veteran all-rounder Zeeshan Siddiqui kept his cool with a patiently chalked out unbeaten half century in 32 balls to guide Oman to their first ever T20 World Cup berth.
In the playoff for the last seat for the main tournament next year in India, Oman brushed aside brave Namibia by five wickets at the Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin on Thursday evening.
Coming in at the fall of the third wicket after a steady start by the openers, Oman reached 150-5 in 19 overs thanks to the masterly touch by Siddiqui who had six 4s and two 6s in his knock.
During the chase of 148-9 set up by Namibia in 20 overs, the right hander was given solid support by the reliable one-drop anchorman Jatinder Singh who contributed 33 in 31 balls before the celebrations began.
Also qualifying on Thursday for the India chapter next season were Afghanistan who defeated Papua New Guinea by six wickets at the same venue in the morning. The qualifying tournament being jointly hosted by Ireland and Scotland from July 9-26 will see six sides making it to the big stage. Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Hong Kong, the semifinalists on Saturday, qualified earlier this week.
After going winless in the group stage of the previous qualifying edition in the UAE, Oman, coached by former Sri Lankan legend Duleep Mendis, and advised for this tournament by former English pacer Derek Pringle, have come off brilliantly following giantkilling runs in the group stage in Scotland last week.
Oman's keeper-batsman and skipper Sultan Ahmed was delighted and said: "Party time now for us here and at home, and this success is also dedicated to the my mother and another team-mate, who both passed away last week. This is a great moment for Oman cricket." Earlier, Stephan Baard sweetly timed 62 from 52 balls with four 4s and three hoists over the rope, and was supported by Raymond van Schoor's 34 from 23 deliveries with four 4s and a six to see the Namibians touch 148-9 from 20 overs.
Pacer Munis Ansari of Oman and left arm slow Ajay Lalcheta, who shared the new ball with Ansari, claimed three and two wickets respectively. Left arm slow orthodox Aamir Kaleem chipped in with two wickets for 12 from two overs to seal off what was a satisfying day's work in the field by the Omanis.
The winners of Thursday's playoffs now meet for fifth and sixth places on Saturday, the day the two semifinals - Scotland v Hong Kong and Ireland v Netherlands - will also be played. The final on Sunday has a 5.15pm start after the third place playoff in the morning.
In the first playoff for the penultimate passage to India, opener Nawroz Mangal claimed his second consecutive Man of the Match award when he steered 2013 qualifying event runners-up Afghanistan past Papua New Guinea with a 56-ball 65 that contained two 4s and three 6s.
The islanders put up 127-6 from 20 overs after being on 86-6 by the 17th over. Mangal got fine support from skipper Asghar Stanikzai (22) during the chase of the modest score before reaching 128-4 from 18.2 overs. Mangal's calm thinking spurred the Afghans once more while for the brilliant PNG side, it was heartbreak yet again. "Qualification is so important for us. The team felt no pressure and the bowling won us the game. This win comes after the disappointing show against Hong Kong on Tuesday," Stanikzai said
PNG captain Jack Vare said they tried their best. "I thought the wicket was a bit stickier than we expected. Afghanistan bowlers bowled well and they batted well but wasn't easy for them. Those wins against the bigger sides were unbelievable. We are trying our best to develop our game across a platform and there are plenty of positives," he said.
moni@khaleejtimes.com

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