* McMullen blazes unbeaten half ton to give Scotland an easy win (Match 20)
By Dwayne Ferreira
Scotland secured a commanding victory over Oman, chasing down the target with almost seven overs to spare at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
Scotland’s openers set the tone for a swift run-chase, with George Munsey delivering a blistering knock of 41 runs off just 20 balls. Despite the early dismissal of Michael Jones, Munsey’s aggressive batting dismantled the Omani bowling attack and laid a solid foundation for the Scottish innings.
Brandon McMullen played a pivotal role, ensuring Scotland’s triumph by scoring an unbeaten 61 from 31 balls. His innings was marked by calculated aggression and precise shot selection, culminating in the winning boundary through square leg off Bilal Khan. McMullen’s roaring celebration echoed around the stadium, symbolizing Scotland’s dominant performance and their inching closer to the Super 8 stage. Matthew Cross also contributed with a brisk knock towards the end, further solidifying Scotland’s chase.
Oman’s bowling effort, while commendable initially with their pacers keeping a tight leash, ultimately faltered due to the ineffectiveness of their spinners and poor fielding. Aqib Ilyas, Mehran Khan, and Bilal Khan managed to pick up a wicket each, but their combined efforts were insufficient to stem the Scottish onslaught.
Oman’s fielders dropped crucial catches, which compounded their difficulties in defending a fighting total. Pratik Athavale’s gritty fifty and Ayaan Khan’s solid knock gave Oman a respectable score, but their bowlers couldn’t rise to the occasion.
This match was Scotland’s second victory in the tournament, boosting their chances of advancing to the next round. Their performance not only strengthened their position but also intensified the pressure on England, who now face a challenging path to progression.
Oman, despite showing glimpses of potential, concluded their campaign with three losses. They leave the tournament with valuable lessons and the experience gained from competing against top-tier teams.
Chief Scores :-
Oman – 150 for 7 in 20 overs (Pratik Athavale 54, Ayan Khan 41*, Aqib Ilyas 16, Safyaan Sharif 2 for 40, Chris Greaves 1 for 2)
Scotland – 153 for 3 in 13.1 overs (Brandon McMullen 61*, George Munsey 41, Michael Jones 16, Bilal Khan 1 for 12, Mehran Khan 1 for 16, Aqib Ilyas 1 for 41)
Player of the Match – Brandon McMullen (61*)
