MUSCAT: A blistering innings from Vinayak Shukla and a ruthless bowling display powered Oman to a commanding 52-run victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia and East Asia Pacific (EAP) Qualifier at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground in Al Amerat on Friday night — a win that sealed their place in the Super Six stage starting Sunday.

Duleep Mendis-coached Team Oman’s triumph over PNG — their second successive victory — ensured they advanced as pool toppers with four points from Group 3, alongside Samoa, who finished second. They now join UAE (pool toppers) and Qatar from Group 1, and Nepal (pool toppers) and Japan from Group 2 in the Super Six stage, where the top three teams will earn coveted berths at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

On Friday, coming in when Oman were struggling at 57/5 after 13 overs — having earlier slipped to 25/3 in the powerplay — Shukla turned the tide with a blistering display of counter-attacking strokeplay. His fearless 48 off just 24 balls, studded with five boundaries and three towering sixes, lifted Oman from a position of vulnerability to a competitive total of 138/7 on a challenging surface.

Shukla found solid support from veteran Mohammad Nadeem (28 off 26), as the pair stitched together a crucial 40-run stand for the sixth wicket. Their partnership not only steadied the innings but also laid the foundation for Shukla’s late assault, which swung the momentum firmly in Oman’s favour.

In reply, PNG never looked settled against Oman’s disciplined bowling attack. Spinner Shakeel Ahmed (3/15) led from the front with a spell of precision and control, including a double strike off successive deliveries to dismiss skipper Assad Vala and Boio Ray in the 15th over. He was well supported by fellow spinner Nadeem Khan (2/8) and medium pacer Jitenkumar Ramanandi (3/22), as the trio combined to rip through PNG’s batting lineup.

From 71/3 in the 12th over, PNG’s innings unraveled spectacularly, losing seven wickets for just 15 runs in a five-over collapse to be bowled out for 86 in 16.4 overs. Opener Sese Bau (35 off 34) and Patrick Nou (19 off 20) briefly resisted with a 35-run stand for the third wicket, but once that partnership was broken, Oman’s bowlers ensured there was no way back for the Pacific side.

With this emphatic win, Oman head into the Super Six full of confidence and momentum — a team in sync, with both bat and ball clicking at the right time — as they continue their pursuit of qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which would mark their fourth appearance and second in succession.

Brief scores: Oman 138/7 in 20 overs (Vinayak Shukla 48 off 24, Mohammad Nadeem 28 off 26, Jatinder Singh 19 off 19; Kabua Morea 2/33, Alei Nao 1/15, Gaudi Toka 1/20) beat Papua New Guinea 86 in 16.4 overs (Sese Bau 35 off 34, Patrick Nou 19 off 20, Assad Vala 10 off 15; Shakeel Ahmed 3/15, Jitenkumar Ramanandi 3/22, Nadeem Khan 2/8).