Zeeshan Maqsood (4-28) and Ayaan Khan (3-12) helped Oman register a thumping 110-run win against Papua New Guinea in Match 44 of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 at Al Amerat, Oman.
Riding on Suraj Kumar’s unbeaten 70-ball 62, Oman posted 250/7 after Assad Vala won the toss and asked them to bat. Zeeshan and Ayaan then spun a web around PNG batters to bowl them out for just 140 in 42.2 overs.
Earlier, Norman Vanua pinned Jatinder Singh leg before in the second over to give PNG a decent start. Kashyap Prajapati (22), Aqib Ilyas (34), Zeeshan (26), and Ayaan (44) all chipped in with useful contributions. Oman still slipped to 140/5, but Suraj provided the finish Oman required.
Vala returned excellent figures of 6-2-16-1, but the rest of the PNG bowlers went for more than four and a half an over. Kabua Morea picked up two wickets, and conceded 50.
The chase was never on the cards for PNG, who had lost 13 consecutive ODIs heading to this fixture. The losing streak has now extended to 14. Only Lega Siaka (22), Vala (27), and Jason Kila (36) scored more than 11 in their total, while the rest had no answer against the Oman bowlers, who were impressive throughout the innings.
Brief Scores: Oman 250/7 in 50 overs (Suraj Kumar 62*; Kabua Morea 2-50) beat Papua New Guinea 140 in 42.2 overs (Jason Kila 36; Zeeshan Maqsood 4-28) by 110 runs. Player of the Match: Zeeshan Maqsood.