Photo Credit: ICC
The weather denied a thrilling contest between Oman and Afghanistan in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up match.
The match had been delayed due to rain in Trinidad before Oman lit up Queen’s Park Oval as they posted 154 for three form their 20 overs, with captain Aqib Ilyas top scoring.
That was where the game ended, however, with the rain stopping Afghanistan from beginning their reply as the match was abandoned.
Aqib brightens rainy day
Aqib Ilyas’ 66 not out was the highlight of a soggy meeting between Oman and Afghanistan which was abandoned after only Oman had batted.
Oman got off to a fast start having been put into bat, crashing 35 runs of the first four overs before Pratik Athavale departed for 15 attempting one pull shot too many as he was dismissed by Azmatullah Omarzai.
That brought Aqib Ilyas to the crease and there he stayed until the end of Oman’s innings.
He first put on a 62-run partnership with Kashyap Prajapati who built his runs steadily as Aqib led the scoring.
A mix-up saw both batters at the same end with Kashyap easily run out by Rashid Khan for 35.
Zeeshan Maqsood was keen to add to his 45 made against Papua New Guinea on Monday, hitting a four off his third ball.
But Aqib’s impactful scoring ensured he ended as his side’s top scorer this time out, bringing up his 50 off 40 balls as Zeeshan was dismissed lbw by Naveen-ul-Haq with the final ball of the innings for 35.
Aqib’s 66 came off 48 ball withs seven fours and three sixes before the covers came on and the rain called an early end to proceedings in the only warm-up match of the day.
Scores in brief
Afghanistan v Oman – Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad
Oman 154/3 in 20.0 overs (Aqib Ilyas 66 not out, Zeeshan Maqsood 35; Azmatullah Omarzai 1/23, Naveen-Ul-Haq 1/26)
Result: Match abandoned
