In the T20 World Cup 2024, a massive cricket tournament, Oman (OMA), the Middle East’s underdog, faced up against England (ENG). Notably, the match took place on Friday, June 14, at the esteemed Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.
England’s T20 World Cup campaign took a sharp turn for the worst in the beginning, but they turned things around quickly against Oman in the championship match, winning their first match of the competition. Jos Buttler, the skipper, invited Oman to bat first after winning the toss. The English bowlers raced through the Omani batting lineup, fully justifying their judgement. They only needed 13.2 overs to bowl out the opposition for 47 runs. Amazingly, England then humiliated the target by chasing it down in just 3.1 overs to win the match.
In the second over, Jofra Archer, a fiery pacer, contributed to the formalities by taking the wicket of Omani captain Aqib Ilyas and then Pratik Athavale. With Mark Wood joining the fray, the wicket-taking spree was extended as both pacers captured three wickets apiece, frightening the opposition. Indeed, Oman lost their first four hitters in the powerplay phase alone. Adil Rashid, the master of leg spin, then jumped on board and produced a Player of the Match performance with a four-wicket haul (4/11).
Notably, England was facing certain elimination in terms of Net Run Rate (NRR) scenarios and was expecting to maintain their winning ways in order to have a chance at the ongoing T20 World Cup in 2024. Interestingly, the English team’s goal was to finish the match in 5.2 overs in order to increase their net run rate and surpass Scotland’s NRR. Before being dismissed by bowler Bilal Khan, opener Phil Salt ignited the explosive batting sequence with two sixes. Will Jacks was removed by Oman shortly after, but Jos Buttler, the captain, came out swinging to seal the victory in the fourth over.
Also read: England’s qualifying scenarios for the T20 World Cup 2024: can they go to the Super 8 after defeating Oman?
Adil Rashid, Player of the Match:
“I thought we bowled exceptionally well, nice to bowl them out for 47. Always nice when you see your first one spin. When you get a wicket first ball it sets the tone. Some pitches are flatter, I try to adjust in the first over. It was spinning quite a bit, going wider with the wrong’un, sliders, set them up that way. Very happy today. One game at a time, we’ve got Namibia next, our job is to go out there and do our thing.”
Aqib Ilyas, Losing Captain:
“Nothing much to say, it was a big collapse. It was big exposure, but still there are positives. With associate teams, we don’t get to play bowlers who bowl at 140kph [often]. At the back of the mind, expecting a lot of pace, it is difficult. Some areas, the ball was there to hit, but they had fielders up in the ring.
Batters didn’t look uncomfortable but bad shot selection [cost us]. Hats off to them for putting pressure on the bowlers. They had to go for run rate. We have learned a lot, how we can get better. We competed in some areas. You learn where you stand, but we have to work hard.”
Jos Buttler, Winning Captain:
“Thought the tone was set by the bowlers, take early wicket and restrict them. Job done today, another game in two days’ time. Bowled brilliantly, there was extra bounce. Topley with his height… I thought they bowled a good line and length. [Spin] Don’t think anyone expected the wicket to play like it did, looked a really good surface.
[Batting] Just looked to be positive, try to take advantage of the NRR. [Criticism] Been around long enough to know that people make comments. We know what’s going on in the dressing room. We have another huge match to come. We can only control what we do, all focus is on that.”
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