Oman, USA secure ODI status in men’s cricket

Both Oman and the USA secured ODI status and a spot in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 after their respective wins over Namibia and Hong Kong.

Oman stayed perfect in the ICC World Cricket League Division2 action after a dramatic four-wicket win over hosts Namibia on Wednesday.Oman’s passage to ODI status and more competitive cricket had already beenconfirmed earlier in the day when Canada downed Papua New Guinea, but theyfinished the job in style anyway as Sandeep Goud’s unbeaten half-centurydefeated Namibia.

   

Both Oman and the USA joined Scotland, Nepal and the UAE inLeague 2, where they will play 36 ODIs each over a two-and-a-half year periodon the road to Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

In a very competitive and exciting tournament, Canada kepttheir slim qualification hopes alive with their first win of the week overPapua New Guinea, with four teams still fighting for the remaining two spots.

Oman secured their ODI status with a narrow win over Namibiathat owed much to the efforts of Sandeep Goud. Having won the toss and electingto field, Oman looked right on top from the outset as Zeeshan Maqsood (2-27)and Khawar Ali (2-23) took early wickets.

At 98 for seven, Namibia’s chances looked over but Zane Green(46) and JJ Smit shared an impressive 103-run stand for the ninth wicket tolift the hosts to a competitive 213 for nine total.

Smit starred with 60 and in reply Oman’s perfect recordlooked under threat as Jan Frylinck (3-34) led the way for the Namibianbowlers.

But Suraj Kumar’s half-century kept Oman on track beforeGoud (57 not out) and Fayyaz Butt got them over the line with four wickets andfive balls to spare.

On the other hand, Xavier Marshall hit form at just theright time as his century confirmed USA’s ODI status and helped see off HongKong on Wednesday.

The former West Indies Test star hit exactly 100 and wasably supported by Steven Taylor’s 88 as the USA, having been put in by theiropponents, amassed a total of 280 for eight from their 50 overs.

That always looked like being beyond Hong Kong, for whomKinchit Shah impressed with both bat and ball in the losing effort. Shah took afour-fer in the USA’s innings and then top-scored with 45 in Hong Kong’s replybut the going was tough as Karima Gore (2-49) led a balanced bowling effort forthe Americans.

Hong Kong were always behind the required rate and whileAizaz Khan (35 not out) and Ehsan Khan (31 not out) did their best, they endedup 84 runs short in Windhoek and might well need to beat Namibia in their finalgame if they are to secure a top-four finish.

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