Oman gives Dutch cricketers second World Cup qualifying defeat
Published at 05 November, 2024The Netherlands have lost their second World Cup qualifying match. The Dutch were sent in and only managed 132 runs, a total that was passed by Oman for the loss of only two wickets.
The Dutch started the game with Ryan Klein for the injured Michael Levitt. Already in the fourth over, Max O'Dowd was LBW on a quicker delivery from Shakeel Ahmad. Moments later, the left arm spinner broke through the defense of Vikramjit Singh (21/2) with a beauty.
Shortly after, it was unclear whether Scott Edwards was LBW or caught by the slipfielder. Either way, he had to leave the field (22/3). The wicket came into the scorebooks as a slipcatch.
Noah Croes (29) and Bas de Leede (51) brought the score to 62/4. With Shariz Ahmad - who seemed to be unlucky with his LBW decision - another 47 runs were added, but there wasn't much more in the barrel. Van der Merwe was given caught behind before the final result for the Dutch was determined at 132 all out in 40.2 overs. Multiple players lost their wicket on failed sweeps and reverse sweeps. For Oman, Shakeel Ahmed took 4-26.
Innings Oman
Seemingly without a hitch -- barring many rejected LBW shouts -- Oman went to 50/0/13. Apart from a difficult opportunity in the fifteenth over, the Dutch had few opportunities to turn the game around.
There were 81 runs on the board when the Dutch were finally able to celebrate a success. It was spinner Dutt who provided the desperately desired breakthrough when Ashish Odedara played on for 27. Although there was little to criticize about the boundary fielding, the Netherlands was unable to turn the game around, partly due to a second missed catching opportunity in the 25th over.
Van der Merwe dismissed Jatinder Singh (58), who fell playing a reverse sweep which he had left out of his repertoire until then. Oman reached the target in 34 overs. Aryan Dutt was the best Dutch bowler with 1-35 in ten overs.
On November 9, the Netherlands will play its second time against the United Arab Emirates and on November 11 again against host country Oman.
