Oman snatch victory from jaws of defeat

Oman snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a thrilling three-run margin over Hong Kong to register their second successive victory in the preliminary league match of the under-15 Asia Cup cricket tournament, being played here.

In a low-scoring match the action centred around the final stretch as Hong Kong, chasing 119 for a win, were well-placed at 77 for one. Oman hit back and soon Hong Kong were reduced to 101 for nine, eight wickets falling for 25 runs.

John Beacon, one of the twin Beacon brothers playing for Hong Kong, followed up his two-wicket haul with a fighting knock of 10 and involved in a 15-run partnership for the final wicket.

But Harish Vasan, who bowled a wide to give Hong Kong their 116th run bowled John off the next delivery and the small contingent of Omani players' and their families went wild in celebrations.

Vasan, who was given the ball after Ansar Ansari (three for 10) and Vignesh Shenoy (two for 21) had brought Oman back into the game, gave away 10 runs in his first five balls, but bowled vice captain Chris Sabine off a full toss to keep the pressure on.

Skipper Dheeraj of Hong Kong, who picked up two wickets in one over without conceding a run, shared a 55-run second wicket partnership with Robert Beacon, John's twin.

However, at 77 for one Dheeraj was caught and bowled by Ansar and soon enough a silly run out cost Robert's wicket and then began the down slide. Dheeraj, who hit three fours, completed a good solo performance which, however, went in vain.

Earlier, when Oman were batting, Hong Kong did well to restrict them with some tidy bowling and fielding. Wicket-keeper and vice-captain Pronob Mehta played a steady innings of 27 with four boundaries while the lanky Dilip Kanojia, playing his first match, scored a patient 16 with three boundaries.

In fact after Oman were reduced to 82 for seven, Dilip and Ansar (12 runs) took the score to 119 before three wickets fell at the same score.

Vasu Paranjpe, Oman's coach said he had no hope of a win when Hong Kong were 77 for one. "Our spinners brought us back. Vignesh, who bowls googlies, got two wickets off them and two run outs also proved decisive.

"We hope to qualify after two wins, but nothing can be said in cricket like today's game," Paranjpe said. "Our batting is yet to click and our inexperience on turf is showing," he added.

Sri Lankan Lal Jayasinghe said his boys were dejected after the close loss. "We bowled well, fielded well but failed in batting. We did two-thirds right but lost due to a poor one-third," he added. "Our batsmen did not concentrate and the two run outs also did not help," Jayasinghe said.

Oman, who beat Thailand earlier, have two win now in Group A while for Hong Kong this is their second loss, their first at the hands of hosts UAE.

Summarised scores:
Oman beat Hong Kong by three runs.
Oman: 119 in 32.2 overs (Pronob Mehta 27, Derrick Ruston 15, Dilip Kanojia 16, Ansar Ansari 12, Dheeraj Daswani 2 for 0, Ahmed Nadeem 3 for 19, John Beacon 2 for 23) Hong Kong: 116 in 36.4 overs (Dheeraj Daswani 34, Robert Beacon 12, John Beacon 10, Ansar Ansari 3 for 10, Harish Vasan 2 for 15, Vignesh Shenoy 2 for 21).
Man of the match: Ansar Ansari.