Oman started the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 with a stunning victory against Ireland. It was their first ODI win against an ICC Full Member.
It was the fourth game of the tournament where Ireland were sent to bat first. The Irish team lost their wickets at regular intervals, which denied a big score for them. Thanks to the no.6 batter George Dockrell (91 not out off 89 balls; seven fours and two sixes) and no.4 batter Harry Tector (52 off 82 balls, five fours), Ireland managed the first innings score of 281/7 (50 overs).
Oman won by five wickets with 11 balls remaining
Chasing the target, Oman lost their opener Jatinder Singh (1) cheaply in the fourth over. But another opener Kashyap Prajapati, Aqib Ilyas, skipper Zeeshan Maqsood and Mohammad Nadeem strongly guided the team to a remarkable win.
While Prajapati scored 72 off 74 balls (six fours and only six), Ilyas (52 off 49 balls; eight fours) and Maqsood (59 off 67 balls; four fours and only six) scored 50s, and Nadeem remained not out on 46 off 53 balls (four fours). Also, Ayaan Khan scored a run-a-ball 21 runs (two fours and only six), and Shoaib Khan was unbeaten on 19 off 17 balls (three fours) to secure a five-wicket win as Oman chased down the target in 48.1 overs.
ICC Associate Member Oman recorded their first ODI win against an ICC Full Member
From the early first innings, the ICC Associate Member (with ODI status) Oman took control of the game, while the ICC Full Member Ireland struggled to find their way.
With that win, Oman recorded their first ODI victory against an ICC Full Member. More importantly, it was Oman’s first ODI against an ICC Full Member. So, that win became more special for this Asian team.
Oman’s second international win against an ICC Full Member
However, it wasn’t Oman’s first international win against Ireland. In T20I cricket, Oman beat Ireland twice, including once defeating the ICC Full Member Irish team in October 2019.
So, the latest ODI victory was Oman’s second international win against an ICC Full Member as they beat Ireland in a T20I and an ODI.
