MUSCAT : Nepal beat Oman by six wickets in Game 1 of the quadrangular T20 series at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground on Friday.

Electing to field after winning the toss, the visitors got off to a great start. Jatinder Singh, Kashyap Prajapati and Ayaan Khan were all dismissed inside the powerplay. Shoaib Khan followed suit in the 10th over, with Oman’s innings teetering on the edge of collapse at 58/4.

Fortunately for the hosts, Mohammad Nadeem and captain Zeeshan Maqsood were able to steady the ship with a 61-run 5th wicket partnership. Zeeshan started slowly, finding himself on 13 off 22 balls but a poor over from Nepal’s Sagar Dhakal provided the runway for him to take off. He smashed 30 off the next 19.

Nepal’s on-field profligacy helped Oman in this period too, as in addition to a few mis-fields and overthrows, the visitors spurned presentable opportunities to send both Zeeshan and Nadeem packing. It did not prove too costly however, as some clinical death bowling from the overall excellent Abinash Bohara cut Oman’s rescue act short and the hosts finished on 135/6 at the end of 20 overs.

With the ‘Red Brigade’ needing early wickets to gain the upper-hand, Kaleemullah stepped up once again. Pradeep Airee, who looked extremely uncomfortable for his 14 ball 4, and his opening partner Aasif Sheikh were both sent back in the fourth over. The visitors managed to avoid further damage, as Dipendra Singh Airee and Gyanendra Malla stitched together an invaluable 40 run partnership to navigate their side out of choppy waters.

Malla was dismissed after a running mix-up, but Dipendra played on, providing the backbone for what would ultimately be a successful run-chase. His innings was elegant, mature and chanceless – one that included 8 boundaries and 1 six to keep the asking rate in check. With Aarif Sheikh holding his own at the other end with a 20 ball 25, the pair snatched the game away from the hosts.

Oman’s efforts with the ball and on the field were once again below par, with a crucial dropped catch in the penultimate over proving too costly. 9 runs were still needed off the final over, but Dipendra kept his cool and finished the job with 3 balls to spare.

All eyes now turn to the Oman Cricket Academy ground for a double header on Saturday, where less than 17 hours after their game today, Nepal face the UAE. But while they will look to continue where they left off against Oman, there is much to ponder for the hosts who take on Ireland later in the day.

BRIEF SCORES:
Oman 135/6 in 20 overs (Zeeshan Maqsood 43(41) 4 x 4, 1 x 6 Abinash Bohara 26/3) lost to Nepal 137/4 in 19.3 overs (Dipendra Singh Airee 73(53) 8 x 4, 1 x 6 Kaleemullah 24/2) by 6 wickets