All-round Oman post crucial win over Canada
MUSCAT: A composed, unbeaten 76 from veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nadeem, complemented by a career-best 77 from Hammad Mirza, laid the foundation for Oman's 15-run triumph over Canada at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, USA, on Monday, in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2.
The victory not only secured vital points for Duleep Mendis-coached Oman but also elevated them to fourth place in the standings, surpassing Canada on net run rate.
Oman's innings got off to a stuttering start, reduced to 10/2 inside five overs with Kaleem Sana striking twice. Aamir Kaleem and skipper Jatinder Singh fell cheaply, and Pruthvikumar Machhi's dismissal left the side wobbling at 31/3.
But Mirza, calm and composed, anchored the innings with a gritty knock under pressure. Playing in only his eighth ODI, Mirza stitched a 72-run stand for the fifth wicket with Nadeem, who later accelerated superbly in the final ten overs. Mirza crafted a patient 77 off 103 deliveries, including three boundaries and two sixes.
Nadeem's unbeaten 76 – his highest score in ODIs – featured seven boundaries and two sixes off 77 balls, giving Oman much-needed momentum at the death. Sufyan Mehmood's handy 20* ensured Oman finished strongly at 217/6, adding 50 runs in the final 55 balls without losing a wicket during their 65-run key partnership for the seventh wicket. Nadeem was named Player of the Match.
Despite Canada's varied attack, Oman's calculated middle-overs recovery gave them a total that kept them firmly in the contest. Kaleem Sana (2/37), Shivam Sharma (2/27), and Dilon Heyliger (2/36) were the pick of the Canadian bowlers.
Spinners stifle Canadian chase
In response, Canada's innings was anchored by Pargat Singh, who scored 85 off 104 balls, featuring 12 boundaries. However, Oman's spin attack, led by leg-spinner Samay Shrivastava and left-arm orthodox Shakeel Ahmed, applied consistent pressure.
Shrivastava claimed three wickets, including the crucial dismissal of Singh, while Ahmed also took three wickets, effectively dismantling Canada's middle order.
Singh was bowled by Shrivastava in the 38th over with Canada at 147 for seven.
Shivam Sharma and Dilon Heyliger, batting at No. 8 and 9, looked to be leading Canada toward the victory target.
But Sharma, on 37, was caught at the boundary in the 46th over with Canada at 190 for eight. Heyliger followed in the 48th over, dismissed for 18 by debutant Mujibur Ali, who claimed his maiden international wicket.
Canada's chase ended on the last ball of the 49th over when No. 10 batter Kaleem Sana, on four, was caught at the boundary off Sufyan — leaving them all out for 202 with six balls remaining.
The win propels Oman to fourth in the League 2 standings, level on 20 points with Canada but ahead on net run rate.
Oman next face the United States on May 21, aiming to build on this victory and further solidify their standing in the league.
The World Cup League 2 features eight teams — also including Namibia, Nepal, the Netherlands, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates — with each side playing 36 ODIs spread across nine triangular series through December 2026.
The top four teams progress to a 10-nation World Cup Qualifier that will determine the final four entrants for the 2027 World Cup.
The Netherlands (12 wins, 6 defeats, 2 no-results) top the standings ahead of the USA (12 wins, 5 losses) and Scotland (9 wins, 5 losses, 2 no-results). Monday's win moved Oman (9 wins, 6 defeats, 2 no-results) past Canada (9 wins, 7 losses, 2 no-results) into fourth.
Brief scores: Oman 217/6 (Hammad Mirza 77, Mohammed Nadeem 77*, Sufyan Mehmood 20*; Kaleem Sana 2/37, Shivam Sharma 2/27, Dilon Heyliger 2/36) beat Canada 202 in 49 overs (Pargat Singh 85, Harsh Thaker 33, Shivam Sharma 37; Shakeel Ahmed 3/41, Samay Shrivastava 3/31, Sufyan Mehmood 1/37, Aamir Kaleem 1/46, Mujibur Ali 1/1).
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