World T20 2016 Match 4 Review: Oman upsets Ireland to clinch a historic win

Oman stunned the Irishmen to register their first World T20 win at Dharamsala in a dramatic match laced with breathtaking twists and turns.

Ireland, who have a history of pulling off upsets over big teams in major events, today were given a taste of their medicine after they choked in the last moments of the game, giving away the match to the World Cup debutants.

Oman started off breezily chasing the target of 155 set by Ireland who won the toss and batted first. Openers Zeeshan Maqsood and Khawar Ali put together 69 runs for the opening wicket. The match looked well in favor of the Oman. But, all-rounder Kevin O’Brien picked two wickets in consecutive overs to dent the chasing efforts. First, he broke the opening stand with the wicket of Khawar Ali in the 9th over, who tried to over ambitious and was caught at the boundary ropes just after hitting a six. Kevin, in his following over, got better of the other opener Zeeshan Maqsood.

Oman began to implode and lost three more quick wickets in the next 3 overs. They were now struggling at 90/5 and looked to be crumbling. But, Jatinder Singh and Aamer Ali then came to the rescue with a match-winning sixth wicket stand of 47 runs. Aamer Ali was batted with intent and scoring at brisk pace while Jatinder provided the support to him. 18 runs were required from the last two overs of the match. The pair took Oman to the brink of victory before Boyd Rankins, who was back in Irish colors, broke the partnership with the wicket of Jatinder (24 from 26 balls) in the penultimate over.

Rankins did a great job, giving away just 4 runs bringing down the equation to 14 from the final six balls of the match. Ireland still looked favorites. But, luck seemed to in Oman’s favor.  Seamer Sorensen was handed the ball to bowl the last over gave away four runs and a free hit after bowling a no ball.

The free hit, however, yielded just one run after the fast bowler rattled the stumps with a full delivery. The fielders closed in to build the pressure but Oman got another four lucky runs after and attempted yorker which turned into a full toss was slashed through the third man.

However, the was kept alive when the bowler managed to snap up a wicket off the penultimate ball. Three from three were required but there was no further drama as Sorenson bowled yet another no-ball which beat the wicket-keeper and ran away for four runs, enabling Oman overhaul the target and burst into celebrations.

Earlier, Ireland won the toss and put in a great collective effort to reach 154/5 in 20 overs.  Openers William Porterfield and Paul Stirling gave a steady start and weaved a 48 runs partnership for the first wicket. The duo was regularly able to find boundaries looked dominating. However, the Omanis tasted their first success of the day after all-rounder Zeeshan Maqsood pulled off a ripper at short covers off the bowling of left-arm spinner Aamer Kaleem to dismiss Stirling (29 from 22 balls) in the 7th over.

Porterfield and No. 3 Gary Wilson, however, ensured that the run flow isn’t affected and continue to add runs effortless to the scoreboard. The first half was highly productive for the Irishmen wher they scored 73 runs at the cost of just one wickets.

However, the second half was poor. The growing 3rd wicket partnership could not last very long as Ireland suffered another setback in the 12th over after Leg spinner Khawar Ali foxed Skipper Porterfield and got him stumped behind.

The Oman bowlers began to control the proceedings and effectively managed to contain the Ireland batsman from reaching a big total. Niall O Brien (16 from 11 balls), who was playing a great cameo and Wilson (38 from 34 balls) were made depart in 16th over by the “Sehore Express” Munis Ansari.

Kevin O’Brien (14 from 12 balls) and Andrew Poynter (11 from 10) added useful runs in the last phases of the innings to take Ireland to a respectable score.

Brief Scores:

Ireland: 154/5 in 20 overs (Gary Wilson 38; Munis Ansari 3/37)

Oman: 157/8 in 19.4 overs (Zeshan Maqsood 38; Kevin O Brien 2/25)

Man of the Match: Aamer Ali