The Middle East minnows Oman (OMA) locked horns with the mighty England (ENG) in Match 28 of the T20 World Cup 2024 mega cricket event. Notably, the game was played at the renowned Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, on (Friday) June 14.
After a drastic start to their T20 World Cup campaign, England decimated Oman by picking one of the quickest wins against an opponent in the marquee event to register their first win of the tournament. Skipper Jos Buttler after winning the toss invited Oman to bat first. The decision was duly justified by the English bowlers as they ran through the Omani batting lineup. It took them just 13.2 overs to bowl out the opponents for just 47 runs. Incredibly enough, England then made a mockery of the target and chased down in just 3.1 overs to seal the game.
Fiery pacer Jofra Archer started the formality by chipping in with a wicket in the second over by dismissing Pratik Athavale and then claiming the wicket of Omani skipper Aqib Ilyas. The wicket-taking fest further continued as Mark Wood joined the party to rattle the opposition as both the pacers claimed three wickets apiece. In fact, Oman lost their top four batters within the powerplay stage itself. Thereafter, ace leg spin wizard Adil Rashid joined the bandwagon and produced a Player of the Match performance with a four-wicket haul (4/11).
Interestingly, given that England were staring down the barrel in terms of Net Run Rate (NRR) scenario along with hoping to continue their winning momentum in a bid to stay relevant in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, the English side needed to seal the game within 5.2 overs to up their net run rate to get past Scotland's NRR. Opener Phil Salt started the explosive batting by smacking a couple of sixes before getting cleaned by pacer Bilal Khan. Shortly, Oman also removed Will Jacks but skipper Jos Buttler came out all guns blazing to clinch the win in the fourth over.
Also Check: Also Check: T20 World Cup 2024 Points Table
Oman vs England, Match 28 - Who Said What?
Adil Rashid, Player of the Match:
"I thought we bowled exceptionally well, nice to bowl them out for 47. Always nice when you see your first one spin. When you get a wicket first ball it sets the tone. Some pitches are flatter, I try to adjust in the first over. It was spinning quite a bit, going wider with the wrong'un, sliders, set them up that way. Very happy today. One game at a time, we've got Namibia next, our job is to go out there and do our thing."
Aqib Ilyas, Losing Captain:
"Nothing much to say, it was a big collapse. It was big exposure, but still there are positives. With associate teams, we don't get to play bowlers who bowl at 140kph [often]. At the back of the mind, expecting a lot of pace, it is difficult. Some areas, the ball was there to hit, but they had fielders up in the ring. Batters didn't look uncomfortable but bad shot selection [cost us]. Hats off to them for putting pressure on the bowlers. They had to go for run rate. We have learned a lot, how we can get better. We competed in some areas. You learn where you stand, but we have to work hard."
Jos Buttler, Winning Captain:
"Thought the tone was set by the bowlers, take early wicket and restrict them. Job done today, another game in two days' time. Bowled brilliantly, there was extra bounce. Topley with his height... I thought they bowled a good line and length. [Spin] Don't think anyone expected the wicket to play like it did, looked a really good surface. [Batting] Just looked to be positive, try to take advantage of the NRR. [Criticism] Been around long enough to know that people make comments. We know what's going on in the dressing room. We have another huge match to come. We can only control what we do, all focus is on that."
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