
Oman defeat Canada in rain-affected match for hat-trick of victories in ICC League 2
The result not only reinforced Oman's growing momentum but also helped them solidify third place in the standings with 24 points from 19 matches — level with the second-placed USA but trailing on net run rate, while the Americans still have a game in hand.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Canada struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Omani bowling attack and were bowled out for 212 in 48.4 overs. Captain Navneet Dhaliwal anchored the innings with a patient 73 off 120 balls, while Mansab Gill chipped in with a solid 59 from 65 deliveries.
Oman's bowlers shared the spoils, with Shakeel Ahmed impressing with 2 for 21 in his nine overs. Mujibur Ali also picked up two key wickets, while Mohammad Nadeem struck twice in the death overs to prevent any late surge. Canada lost their last three wickets for just one run, slipping from 211 to 212 all out.
In response, Oman looked composed in the chase, reaching 108 for 3 in 23.1 overs before heavy rain forced a premature end to the game. At that stage, they were ahead of the DLS par score (91), securing an 18-run victory.
Top scorer Hammad Mirza struck 31 off 33 balls, including five boundaries, while skipper and previous match centurion Jatinder Singh added 27. Mujibur Ali remained unbeaten on 23, playing a steady hand in the middle. Debutant Aryan Bisht was unbeaten on 11 when match was called off.
This marked Oman's second win over Canada this week, having already beaten them by 15 runs on Monday. Mendis' men will play hosts USA in the concluding match of the tri-series on May 27.
League standings heat up
The result leaves Oman on 24 points (W11, L6, NR2) from 19 matches — tied on points with the second-placed USA, who have a superior net run rate (+0.731) and a game in hand. Oman have a NRR of +0.065. The Netherlands lead the table with 26 points from 20 games. Scotland are fourth with 20 points (W9, L5, NR2) from 16 matches while Canada remain fifth with 20 points (W9, L8, NR2) from 19 outings.
The top four teams in League 2 will qualify directly for the 10-team ICC World Cup Qualifier, with the remaining four having to compete in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier playoff.
Brief scores: Canada 212 all out in 48.4 overs (Navneet Dhaliwal 73, Mansab Gill 59; Shakeel Ahmed 2/21, Mujibur Ali 2/35, Mohammad Nadeem 2/9 lost to Oman 108/3 in 23.1 overs -D/L target: 91 runs from 23.1 overs (Hammad Mirza 31, Jatinder Singh 27, Mujibur Ali 23*). Oman won by 18 runs (DLS method)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Times of Oman
10 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Former Australian captain and coach Bob Simpson passes away at 89
Melbourne: Former Australian captain and coach Bob Simpson passed away at the age of 89 in Sydney, Cricket Australia (CA) reported on Saturday. In a post on X, CA said, "RIP to a true cricket legend. A Test cricketer, captain, coach and national selector - Bob Simpson was a mighty figure in Australian cricket, giving everything to our game. Cricket Australia extends our thoughts and sympathies to Bob's family and friends." Simpson was a key figure in Australia's rise to the top of the cricketing world in the 1990s, and his impact lasted long after he left as a head coach in 1996. Simpson became the full-time coach for Aussies when the Allan Border-led side was facing a massive decline in fortunes and was in the middle of a winless run that stretched out for three years, as per It was the Simpson-Border duo which instilled their mindset in the upcoming crop of Aussie stars such as Steve Waugh, David Boon, Dean Jones and Craig McDermott. Simpson's commitment to training as a coach, in batting and in fielding helped Aussies eventually mark a turnaround and become one of the best sides in the game. One of the biggest highlights of his coaching tenure was winning the 1987 Cricket World Cup hosted by India and Pakistan, defeating arch-rivals England in a closely-contested final by seven runs at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. Then, later in 1989, Aussies produced another miracle. In 1989, they arrived on England's shores as "possibly one of the worst sides to ever tour England". The Simpson-Border magic continued on the tour, as they won the six-match series by 4-0 to regain the Ashes. It would serve as a starting point of the Aussies' domination at the marquee series as they won the next eight of them in a row till England brought back the urn home with an iconic series win at their home. They brought back home the coveted Frank Worrell Trophy 20 years later. During his days as a player from 1957 to 1978, he represented Australia in 62 Tests, scoring 4,869 runs at an average of 46.81, with 10 centuries and 27 fifties in 111 innings and a best score of 311. He also took 71 wickets with the best figures of 5/57. He led Australia in 39 Tests, winning 12, losing 12, drawing 15. He also played two ODIs, scoring 36 runs and taking two wickets. CA chairperson Mike Baird hailed Simpson as one of "the greats" of Australian cricket. "Simpson was one of the greats of Australian cricket, and this is a sad day for anyone fortunate to have watched him play or who benefited from his wisdom," said Baird as quoted by "As a brilliant opening batter, incredible slips fielder and handy spin bowler, Bob was a mainstay of a very strong Australian team in the 1960s, and he became a leader across the game as Australian and New South Wales captain and as a coach." "Bob's decision to come out of retirement to successfully lead the Australian team during the advent of World Series Cricket in 1977 was a wonderful service to the game, and his coaching set the foundation for a golden generation for Australian cricket." "On behalf of Cricket Australia, I would like to express my warmest condolences to Bob's family, friends, teammates and all those touched by his vast contribution to cricket."


Times of Oman
10 hours ago
- Times of Oman
"He just wants to run in, bowl fast day after day...": Flintoff hails pacer Baker on maiden English call-up
Leeds : Former England captain Andrew Flintoff hailed young pacer Sonny Baker, who earned his maiden call-up to the English side for the ODIs against South Africa at home and T20Is against Ireland away from home. Flintoff, who is the head coach of England's developmental Lions squad, was the one who handed Baker his first-class debut during the tour to Australia back in 2025. During the tour, he took eight wickets in two matches. Speaking to Sky Sports, Flintoff, coaching Northern Superchargers in The Hundred, said, "Sonny Baker has been announced in the squad. Unbelievable." "He came in, we gave him his first-class debut in Australia. Runs in, bowls quick, but what a joy to work with. He is just a cracking lad. He writes everything down, he hangs on your every word." "He just wants to run in, bowl fast day after day. As a coach of the Lions, that is what you want to see," he concluded. During the ongoing The Hundred, Baker has four wickets in four games at an average of just over 23 for Manchester Originals. England have announced their squads for the limited-overs series against South Africa and Ireland. With the red-ball leg of the home summer behind them, England will next feature in three ODIs and as many T20Is against the Proteas starting September 2 in Headingley. The home series will be followed by a three-match contest against Ireland in Malahide from September 17. Harry Brook, who was appointed England's white-ball captain after the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year, will continue to lead in the home series against South Africa. Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell has been named skipper for the tour of Ireland, with Brook rested for the three-match T20I series. England squads: For South Africa ODIs: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith For South Africa T20Is: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Luke Wood


Times of Oman
11 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Cincinnati Open: Zverev books semifinal clash with Alcaraz, goes past Shelton
Cincinnati: Alexander Zverev secured a Cincinnati Open semifinal clash against Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz as he secured an easy win over Toronto champion Ben Shelton on early Saturday morning. Zverev went past Shelton with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-2, needing just an hour and 17 minutes to end the American's nine-match winning streak and secure his fourth successive semifinal appearance in the past four tournaments. During the second set, Zverev struggled with his health and breathing and called for a doctor. Speaking after the match, Zverev, the 2021 champion in Cincinnati said as quoted by ATP's official website, "Right now I am not feeling too great. I am not sure what happened. I came out today and probably felt the best I have felt in a few months. Was feeling the ball incredibly well from both sides. In the first set I started feeling not so great and it got progressively worse. But I am in the semi-finals and I will do everything I can to be 100 per cent tomorrow." After failing to win his first six matches here in this competition, Zverev marked a brilliant turnaround with 16 wins in his next 18 outings. His two losses were a tight, two-set loss to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the 2023 edition semifinal and a third-set tie-break loss in the semifinal to Jannik Sinner last year, who went on to win the title. His record against Shelton also improved to four wins in four matches. On the other hand, Alcaraz booked his semifinal spot in a nervy, error-filled outing against Andrey Rublev. The number two in the world has seen his share of highs and lows in the tournament. But Alcaraz prevailed by 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 in a match that went to an exciting decider, despite the 15 unforced errors and three double faults in the final set. This is Alcaraz's 12th ATP Masters 1000 semifinal appearance.