Pallekele [Sri Lanka], February 21 (HBTV): Oman registered an unwanted record during their final group-stage match against Australia after suffering a nine-wicket defeat at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
The loss marked Oman’s 10th consecutive defeat at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. They first qualified for the tournament in the 2016 edition, where they finished their campaign with one win in three group-stage matches.
In the 2021 edition, held in Oman and the UAE, the Zeeshan Maqsood-led side managed one win in three matches. They failed to qualify for the 2022 edition hosted by Australia.
Under the captaincy of Aqib Ilyas, Oman failed to secure a win in the 2024 edition held in the USA and the West Indies. The trend continued in the current edition, where they finished at the bottom of Group B with four defeats.
Oman have now equalled Bangladesh national cricket team for the most consecutive defeats at the T20 World Cup, after Bangladesh lost 10 straight matches between 2007 and 2012.
In Friday’s match, Australia won the toss and opted to bowl first. Wasim Ali scored 32 off 33 balls, including four boundaries, and was the only batter to cross the 20-run mark as the rest of the lineup struggled against the Australian attack.
Oman were bowled out for 104 in 16.2 overs, with Glenn Maxwell (2/13 in three overs) and pacer Xavier Bartlett (2/27 in four overs) leading the charge. Marcus Stoinis and Nathan Ellis claimed a wicket each.
Chasing 105, captain Mitchell Marsh remained unbeaten on 64 off 33 balls, hitting seven fours and four sixes, while Travis Head scored 32 off 19 balls with six boundaries. The duo powered Australia to victory in 9.4 overs with nine wickets in hand.
Australia completed the chase with 62 balls to spare, equalling the record for the biggest win in terms of balls remaining in a match where the target was over 100 runs. They joined England national cricket team, who chased down a 116-run target against the USA with 62 balls remaining in the previous edition in Bridgetown.
(ANI)