Junaid Siddique's career-best spell helps UAE rout Oman in ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2

A career-best spell (6/49) by right-arm seamer Junaid Siddique helped United Arab Emirates (UAE) rout Oman in an ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 fixture at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Sunday, May 3.

UAE captain Muhammad Waseem chose to bat first on a placid deck, and the openers delivered a commanding exhibition of batting against the new ball. Aryansh Sharma (50 off 61) and wicketkeeper batter Adeeb Usmani (72 off 78) batted fluently and were able to push the Oman bowlers on the back foot with some fascinating strokeplay.

The opening pair added a century stand before Aryansh fell with the team's score on a Nelson (111). Aryansh continued his rich vein of form and smashed five fours and a six in his innings. Adeeb couldn't hold on for longer and was dismissed by Muhammad Imran for 72 off 78 balls, including five boundaries and three sixes.

UAE's No. 3 Harpreet Singh then joined hands with Muhammad Shahdad, and the pair then added 123 runs for the third wicket to put the team in an authoritative position.

However, just like Usmani, Harpreet and Shahdad also fell in the 70s and couldn't cross the three-figure mark. Their substantial contributions allowed UAE to post an imposing total of 308 for the loss of eight wickets after rain reduced the fixture to 47-overs per side.

Imran was the most successful bowler for Oman. He returned figures of 3/77 in nine overs at 7.77 per over.

Jiten Ramanandi's counterattacking knock goes in vain

In reply, Oman got off to a horrid start and lost their top three for just 26 runs on the board inside five overs. It was all down to Siddique's unrelenting bowling spell. He made the new ball talk for UAE and never allowed the opponents any freebies upfront.

Aryan Bisht (27 off 32) and Hammad Mirza (83 off 82) then attempted a rescue by adding 52 runs for the fourth wicket. Muhammad Jawadullah snapped the partnership in the 17th over as Bisht departed after nicking off to Usmani.

In came Jiten Ramanandi and formed a valuable 87-run stand for the fifth wicket alongside Mirza. Ramanandi accelerated beautifully and never allowed the asking rate to creep beyond control.

UAE needed a moment of brilliance in the field to make a comeback, and it came in the form of a terrific run out from Jawadullah as Mirza was forced to walk back to the dressing room after scoring 83.

Ramanandi then ran out of partners at the other end as Siddique came for another spell and put an end to Oman's fightback. Oman got bundled out for 254 in just 39.5 overs. Ramanandi was left stranded at one end. He scored 91* off just 62 deliveries with the help of seven fours and six maximums.

ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 2023/24-2027 Points Table