Bahrain registered a thrilling 1-run win over Oman 🇴🇲 in the GULF T20I Cricket Championship and kept the finals qualification possibilities alive.
After being put into bat, Bahrain had a disastrous start in the first over losing the wickets of Umer Toor and Imran Javed. Imran Ali Butt and Haider Ali Butt ( Imran Ali 44 runs, 55 balls, 3×4`s, 1×6. Haider Ali 20 runs, 18 balls, 3×4`s) steadied the innings with a 58-run partnership.
Bahrain kept losing wickets at regular intervals and ended up with a below-par total of 123/7 in the 20 overs. All-rounder Sathaiyah made a useful unbeaten 18 runs towards the end of the innings.
Bahrain’s new ball bowlers Rizwan and Ali Dawood bowled steady areas, kept pressure on the Omani batters and kept Bahrain’s hopes alive. Rizwan picked up another match-winning 4 4-wicket haul, while Ali Dawood (4 overs none for 14 runs) and Majid Abbasi ( 4 overs none for 23) bowled economical spells to keep the required run rate steadily climbing. Left-arm pacer Imran Javed picked up 2 crucial wickets ( 4 over, 2 for 23) in his spell.
Opener Kashyap made a fighting 49 runs, 53 balls, 3×4’s and his partnership with Ayaan Khan 24 runs in 21 balls, 2×4`s for Oman was looking dangerous for Bahrain. Haider Ali contribution was vital, first with his off-spin, he broke the partnership by picking by Ayaan and later with his fielding he took 2 crucial catches and effected the last ball run out in the match. Captain Umer marshalled his resources extremely well in this crucial game.
Team Bahrain’s intensity on the field was truly amazing and their never-say-die attitude helped them hold on to their nerves and win this cliffhanger of a contest by just 1 run.
