Jatinder Singh struck 12 fours and six sixes in his 62-ball 107 to help Oman outclass Nepal by five wickets in Match 38 of the Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Oman. Riding on this blistering knock, Oman chased down the target of 197 in just 31.1 overs.
Earlier, Nepal did not have the best of starts after opting to bat. They lost Kushal Bhurtel, who was adjudged the Player of the Match in their last game against the United States of America, without scoring to Bilal Khan in the opening over.
Aasif Sheikh and Gyanendra Malla rebuilt the innings, adding 58 in 68 balls before Mohammad Nadeem got Malla (21) in the 12th over. The in-form Rohit Paudel stitched another 42 with Sheikh, but Nestor Dhamba dismissed him thirteen overs after.
Nepal were 100/3 at this point. Sheikh received little support from his teammates after Paudel’s departure. He smacked seven fours and a six in his 112-ball 90 before Bilal cleaned him up and reduce Nepal to 155/7, and then 156/8.
Karan K.C. (21) and Sandeep Lamichhane (16) chipped in with useful contributions towards the end, but could not remain till the end. As a result, Nepal were bundled out for 196 in 47.4 overs.
With 4-47, Bilal was the pick of the Oman bowlers. Ayan Khan (0-29) went for less than three runs an over, but failed to take any wicket.
Coming to defend, Lamichhane took the field for the first five overs, and left from there after having a ‘gas problem’. He did not return throughout the innings, and Jatinder took full advantage. He almost single-handedly took the game away from Nepal.
Jatinder reached fifty in 21 balls and hundred in 60. A brilliant one-handed leaping catch from Paudel at long on ended his innings in the 26th over. Oman were 162/4 in 25.3 overs when he departed.
Mohammad Nadeem (38* in 65 balls), who had a 40-run stand with Jatinder earlier, stayed till the end, and guided Oman reach the target with 18.5 overs to spare.
Brief scores: Nepal 196 in 47.4 overs (Aasif Sheikh 90; Bilal Khan 4-47) lost to Oman 200/5 in 31.1 overs (Jatinder Singh 107; Kushal Malla 2-38) by 5 wickets with 18.5 overs to spare. Player of the Match: Jatinder Singh.