Scotland boosted its probabilities of qualifying for the second spherical of the T20 Cricket World Cup on Sunday after thrashing Oman by seven wickets in Antigua to maneuver to the highest of Group B.
Brandon McMullen’s unbeaten 61 off simply 31 balls steered Scotland to victory with almost seven overs to spare because the Scots completed on 153-3 off 13.1 overs to reel in Oman’s whole of 150-7.
“Very satisfied to get the win for the staff,” mentioned McMullen, who clinched the win with a 4 — one among 9 boundaries in his swashbuckling batting show that additionally included two sixes.
“The precedence was to win and get the factors however at drinks we mentioned we must always get this carried out.”
McMullen and Scotland face Australia of their remaining group sport however are brimming with confidence after a powerful begin to the match.
“We’re assured going into the Australia sport, all the time making an attempt to boost the bar. That’s the plan going ahead,” McMullen mentioned.
Scotland’s run chase had obtained off to a easy begin, with George Munsey making 41 earlier than being caught by Shakeel Ahmed off Mehran Khan, and Michael Jones including 16.
McMullen then took cost of the sport, ending alongside Matthew Cross, who was 15 not out from an eight-ball knock that included two monstrous sixes.
Oman captain Aqib Ilyas in the meantime lamented his staff’s failure to construct a extra aggressive whole, and missed probabilities within the Scotland innings, after successful the toss and opting to bat on the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound.
“175 may have been a very good rating, however we had too many dot balls on a flat observe,” Aqib mentioned. “Within the batting we have now to enhance. 150 was par however we dropped too many probabilities.
“Catches, if you happen to take them, places stress on the opposite staff. That is cricket, typically you’re on the high, typically you’re down.”
Aqib’s choice to bat first appeared to have paid off with opener Pratik Athavale hitting 54 off 40 balls to get the innings going, with Naseem Khushi including 10 and Aqib Ilyas 16.
However Zeeshan Maqsood fell cheaply for 3 runs earlier than Khalid Kail was run out 10 runs later to go away the Omanis wobbling at 71-4 after 8.5 overs.
Ayaan Khan steadied the ship with an unbeaten 41 off 39 deliveries with help from Mehran Khan, who added 13.
Safyaan Sharif was the one Scottish bowler with a number of wickets, however the seamer’s brace got here for an costly 40 runs.
Brad Wheal bowled a cheap spell of 1-19 off 4 overs whereas spinner Mark Watt’s 4 overs went for 25 runs with one wicket.