Opener Vikramjit Singh’s maiden ODI century and Wesley Barresi’s crucial knock of 97 helped the Netherlands keep their hopes alive for qualifying in the ODI World Cup with a comprehensive 74-run ICC ODI World Cup qualifiers 2023 win over Oman via DLS method.
Despite rain causing a two-over reduction, the Netherlands opted to bat first. Vikramjit played an outstanding innings, scoring 110 runs off 109 balls, laced with 11 fours and two sixes. Barresi also smashed a quickfire 97 off 65 balls, which included 10 fours and three sixes. Their efforts guided the Netherlands to a formidable 362/7 in only 48 overs.
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In response, Oman’s Ayaan Khan put up a brilliant fight, hitting an unbeaten 105 off 92 balls, his first ODI century. Along with Shoaib Khan, he formed a crucial partnership of 112 runs for the fifth wicket. However, Oman fell behind in the chase and finished at 246/6 in 44 overs due to bad light. Both teams agreed to end the ODI World Cup qualifiers 2023 match.
During the morning session, Oman pacers Bilal Khan and Kaleemullah took advantage of the overcast conditions, creating difficulties for the Dutch openers. Rain interrupted play, and when it resumed, the match was reduced to 48 overs.
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Vikramjit displayed an attacking approach against Oman’s bowlers, hitting three boundaries in Kaleemullah’s third over. Max O’Dowd also contributed with a six and a four. Vikramjit reached his half-century in the 18th over of the 2023 ODI World Cup qualifiers match.
O’Dowd, however, was dismissed for 35 runs from 64 balls by left-arm spinner Ayaan. Barresi joined Vikramjit, and the duo continued to attack Oman’s bowlers. They added 80 runs in 72 balls, with Vikramjit finally reaching his maiden ODI century in the 31st over.
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He eventually fell in the 34th over, attempting an expansive shot. He was caught at long-on off Mohammad Nadeem’s delivery. Barresi, on the other hand, played a remarkable innings and accelerated the Netherlands’ scoring rate, reaching a quick fifty from only 43 balls.
With a fiery cameo from Bas de Leede (39 off 19 balls), Barresi added 55 runs in just 27 balls for the fourth wicket. Even after de Leede’s dismissal, Barresi continued to score runs all around the ground. He combined with Saqib Zulfiqar (33 off 17 balls) for a partnership of 57 runs from 26 balls before falling agonizingly short of a well-deserved century on 97 runs. The Netherlands managed to cross the 350-run mark by then.
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Chasing a mammoth target, Oman openers Jatinder Singh and Kashyap Prajapati put together 34 runs off 41 balls for the first wicket before the former was run out. Stand-in skipper Aqib Ilyas and Prajapati (25) were also dismissed, with Ryan Klein taking their wickets before the 20th over.
The partnership between Ayaan and Shoaib provided some momentum to the Oman innings. They reached their 50-run partnership in 48 deliveries. Ayaan reached his half-century with a six in the 27th over, and Oman crossed the 200-run mark in the 34th over.
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The duo put up an impressive partnership of 112 runs off 107 balls, the highest for Oman in the ODI World Cup qualifiers 2023 so far. However, Shoaib’s dismissal due to an excellent stumping by Scott Edwards ended the partnership in the 38th over. Although Ayaan achieved his maiden ODI century in the 41st over, the Netherlands victory was inevitable. The match was eventually called off in the 44th over due to bad light.
