drilled between point and cover-point! The Oman dugout is delighted to no end. It was a full ball outside off, which he drove with force in the gap available. Oman get two points, beating Ireland in what qualifies as the first upset of this Qualifier
Ireland vs Oman, 4th Match, Group B at Bulawayo, CWC Qualifier, Jun 19 2023 - Ball by Ball Commentary
So that was the first upset of the tournament: Oman eased their way to 282, and sent a warning for their upcoming opponents. Ireland will try and figure things out before it's too late - the fact that they played too many dot balls surely played a role today - as the Qualifier keeps rolling. That's it from us this game, as I sign off on behalf of Ashish and Ranjith! Take care.
Zeeshan Maqsood is here again: "It's an honour [to beat Ireland in the first ODI between them]. Definitely [a special day in Oman cricket]. If we continue like this, some more results will be in our favour. It was a collective and combined performance, which we need to beat a good side. We came here to go there (to India) and play."
Andy Balbirnie on the loss: "Very disappointing... we felt like we had a pretty good score. Like I said, 280 in a one-day game is pretty good. They were hard to bowl to at times. We felt right in the game. Oman's win didn't take us by surprise... it's a long tournament. We need to get back into it pretty quickly. Ben did a pretty good job. He will get better."
Time for the presentations
Zeeshan Maqsood is the Player of the Match: "Credit goes to team-mates, organisers, coach and families. It was painful to get out. Whatever comes, I take it. It was [a big score], but the wicket played very well in the second half. I am in good form, and just want to carry that."
Ashish: "No rushing on the field by Oman players. Down to earth. They know that this is just a start. Long long way to go! But for now, congratulations :)"
16.41pm A total of 282 is hunted down, and this becomes Oman's first victory over a Test nation in an ODI. There was a time when Ireland's victory over a Full Member counted as an upset; now Oman take that step, and remind us about the dangers of under-rating absolutely any team in any sport. A combined effort from their batters to beat Ireland, who fell short on a flat pitch. Three half-centuries from the top four - one of them at a strike rate of nearly a hundred, and another higher than it - and Oman win with five wickets and 11 balls left.
full on middle, and nudged to deep midwicket
turns away off a length, and ends on off. Pushed off the outside edge
dances down, but the ball ends up being a low full toss, which is jammed to cover-point
the midwicket runs in, and the ball sneaks through him for four. Length ball, and a slower one, on middle as Shoaib heaved across the line. Not off the middle, but that will do
short outside off, and cut away late to point
Dinesh Asanka: "The entire world is supporting Oman for sure" --- Except Ireland, of course
slower, and full on leg while going on with the angle. Lofted to deep point after backing away
So this could be done in this over itself: just seven more to win from 18 balls.
slower ball again, on a good length in the channel outside off. Has a jab, but is beaten
short ball wide of off, and change of pace too. Guided to deep third again
length ball angling in to finish just outside off. Steered to deep third
change of pace on a good length on off. Tucked to cover
punched wide of mid-off! The requirement is down to single digits. It was a back-of-a-hand slower ball, but a full toss on off, which he gladly pushed down the ground
Stoffels: "How are we supposed to work with all this exciting cricket going on?" --- Just make an excuse of fever/cough/cold and slip out. Simple!
good length and wide-ish of off. He has a poke, but is beaten
swept between short fine and square leg. Nadeem finds the gap, as Dockrell's full ball angling down the leg side helps. Oman inch closer
on the bounce to the deep midwicket fielder running to his left, as he heaved across the line at a full ball on off
skips down, and so Dockrell bowls very full on middle. Jammed back
goes wide of the crease, and slows it down on a full length on middle. Nudged towards midwicket
short ball outside off, and punched to long-off
Charles: "As a Scotsman, I am following this match with keen interest. Go Oman!" --- That's three neutral nations ticked off
full ball down the leg side, and that is paddle swept past the keeper. Two runs to start the over
Dockrell back. Oman need another 22 from 30.
good length on middle and off, and clipped to fine leg