Scotland vs Oman, ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023: Scotland Beat Oman By 76 Runs

Brandon McMullen is the Player of the Match for his all-round performance. He scored 136 runs off 121 balls and had figures of 1 for 15 from his 5 overs. He says that it was a great day and adds that the bowlers bowled amazingly as the team got over the line. Mentions that he wanted to keep it as simple as he can in his way while batting. Reckons that they just need to play the best brand of cricket against Sri Lanka and need to be more disciplined with the ball to win that game as well.

Richie Berrington, the skipper of Scotland, says that it was a really important win today and the team played well. Adds that the batting and bowling were spot on and the players chipped in at the right time. Feels that all the games were going to be tough but a really strong squad has helped the team to reach the Super Six. Mentions that every game is important and every point matters so the next game against a really strong Sri Lankan side would be interesting.

Zeeshan Maqsood, the skipper of Oman, says that the team did not do well in the last game but in this game, there are a lot of positives to take ahead in the Super Six. Adds that it is an honour that the team has advanced to the next stage. Shares that the team is on a real high and feels that the team has trust in each other. Ends by saying that the team will work hard for the main aim which is to play the ODI World Cup in India

That's all from this game. It is Scotland who have emerged victorious in this Group B clash. They have kept their unbeaten run intact and now face Sri Lanka in their final group-stage game. On the other hand, Oman have now suffered back-to-back losses and will look to start afresh in the Super Six of the competition. The 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers action continues on Monday, the 26th of June as well with two games set to take place. It will be the West Indies locking horns with the Netherlands and the hosts, Zimbabwe will take on the USA. Both games will start at 12.30 pm IST (7.00 am GMT). As always you can join us early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Time for the presentations...

Earlier in the game, after Oman skipper Zeeshan Maqsood won the toss and opted to bowl first, Scotland were rocked early, losing Christopher McBride in the first over. Brandon McMullen joined Matthew Cross in the middle and both did well to ensure no more loss of wickets in the Powerplay. After the departure of Cross, Brandon McMullen and Richie Berrington got together and put Scotland in a commanding position with a 138-run partnership. McMullen reached his maiden ODI hundred while Berrington picked up where he left off in the last game and notched yet another fifty. Tomas Mackintosh and Mark Watt played quickfire cameos to push Scotland's score to 320. For Oman, Bilal Khan stood out with a five-wicket haul. Fayyaz Butt had two wickets to his name while Jay Odedra took a solitary wicket.

In their pursuit of 321 runs, Oman were off to a very cautious start. Having done a decent job of not losing any wickets in the Powerplay, neither Jatinder Singh nor Kashyap Prajapati was able to convert their start. After the drinks break, Aqib Ilyas took matters into his own hands and started to get a move on. However, the wickets of Aqib Ilyas and Zeeshan Maqsood in quick succession pegged them back big time. In what was the story of Oman's innings, Ayaan Khan looked good during his stay but was unable to go on to get a big score. Coming in at number 8, Oman's wicketkeeper batter, Naseem Khushi fought valiantly and found an able alley in Shoaib Khan. However, Oman's hopes came crashing down with the dismissal of Naseem and it proved to be too steep a mountain to climb for the Asian side. Despite this loss, Zeeshan Maqsood and Co. will be pleased, having managed to seal a spot in the Super Six of the tournament.

Scotland have booked their place in the Super Six of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers! They were made to work hard but have come out on top with a 76-run margin! Having finished on a high with the bat, Scotland certainly took that momentum into their bowling effort. Chris Sole and Brandon McMullen put on a clinic with the new ball and did not allow the Oman openers to get off to a flying start. After the Powerplay, Adrian Neill and Safyaan Sharif joined the act as well and continued to mount the pressure. Just when Oman were starting to up the ante, Mark Watt, Chris Greaves and Michael Leask delivered to put Oman in a hole. Having reduced them to 120-6, Scotland were on course to register a huge win but they let Oman off the hook a bit. They were given a scare by Naseem Khushi but the move to persist with Chris Greaves paid off for Scotland as he made Khushi his third victim. Towards the end, it was just formalities and Chris Greaves finished with a five-wicket haul.

Bilal Khan is the last man in.