MUSCAT: Left-arm fast bowler Ajay Kumar delivered a decisive spell of 6 for 35 as United Arab Emirates (UAE) defeated Oman by 25 runs in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series game in Kirtipur, Nepal, on Monday.

Chasing 269, Oman made a brisk start but were eventually bowled out for 243 in 47.5 overs, undone by a collapse triggered by Ajay Kumar.

Oman captain Jatinder Singh led the early charge with an aggressive 46 off 35 balls, striking eight fours and a six, while his opening partner Ashish Odedara added 35 off 49 deliveries. Oman raced to 85 inside 14 overs before losing both openers in the space of two deliveries.

The innings was steadied by Mujibur Ali and Hammad Mirza, who added valuable runs to take the total to 133 for 2. Mujibur made 24 off 34 balls, while Hammad contributed 27 off 35, but just as Oman looked to rebuild, Ajay Kumar struck to break the partnership.

The duo’s dismissals opened the floodgates. Oman slipped from 133 for 3 to 140 for 5 in the span of an over, and soon found themselves at 171 for 6 in the 35th over, losing wickets at regular intervals as the chase lost momentum.

Vinayak Shukla fought a lone battle, compiling an unbeaten 58 off 58 balls, including two fours and two sixes, and reaching his half-century off 46 deliveries. He found brief support from Jiten Ramanandi, who scored 19, as Oman crossed 200 in 38.4 overs.

However, with the required rate climbing and wickets continuing to fall, Oman were unable to mount a sustained challenge. Ajay Kumar returned to remove Shah Faisal, Siddharth Bukkapatnam and Hassnain Shah in his final over to complete his six-wicket haul, wrapping up the innings at 243 in the 48th over.

Haider Ali, Nilansh Keswani, Junaid Siddique and Muhammad Shahdad chipped in with a wicket each, maintaining pressure throughout the chase.

Earlier, UAE posted a competitive 268 for 7 in their 50 overs, built on a record-breaking opening partnership.

Aryansh Sharma anchored the innings with a composed 105 off 125 balls, bringing up his century in 119 deliveries, while Adeeb Usmani struck 64 off 76. The pair put on 163 runs for the first wicket — UAE’s highest opening partnership in ODIs — surpassing the previous record of 151 held by Chirag Suri and Muhammad Waseem.

After the strong platform, Harpreet Singh added impetus with a well-made 54 off 58 balls. UAE progressed steadily through the middle overs, reaching 200 in 39.5 overs.

In the final phase, UAE added 67 runs in the last 10 overs despite losing wickets, with late contributions helping them finish on 268 for 7.

For Oman, Shah Faisal returned figures of 3 for 62, while Siddharth Bukkapatnam claimed 2 for 44 and Shakeel Ahmed took 1 for 40.

Oman, coached by Sulakshan Kulkarni, despite the defeat are third in the table with 29 points from 25 games while UAE remain at the bottom with 12 from 22 games.

Oman next take on Nepal on  April 29.

Brief scores: UAE 268/7 (Aryansh Sharma 105, Adeel Usmani 64, Harpreet Singh 54; Shah Faisal 3/62, Siddharth Bukkapatnam 2/44) beat Oman 243 in 47.5 overs (Jatinder Singh 46, Ashish Odedara 35, Vinayak Shukla 58*; Ajay Kumar 6/35).