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Oman's impressive batting display against Ireland helped them chase down a hefty total of 281 runs set by the Irish as they secured their first-ever win over a Test-playing country in Harare on Monday, June 19. George Dockrell (91) and Harry Tector
(52) scored half-centuries but for the Middle Eastern nation, Kashyap Prajapati (72), Aqib Ilyas (52) and skipper Zeeshan Maqsood (59) ensured a five-wicket victory.
The start to the chase was in Ireland's favour, however, as Mark Adair got the early wicket. Jatinder Singh was struggling at one run in nine balls before he edged the ball to skipper Andy Balbirnie. But then the other opener Prajapati, and Ilyas shared a partnership of 94 runs in 88 balls to bring their team back from the brink.
With a strike rate of 106.12 and 8 fours to his name, Ilyas was in good form before his slog sweep to fine leg off Dockrell's bowling ended their partnership. Skipper Maqsood also joined the party and knew the task at hand with a calm and composed innings.
It took 10 more overs for Ireland to find another breakthrough, and this time it was the team's eventual highest run-getter Prajapati, who edged the ball to the wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker off Joshua Little's bowling.
Maqsood did not let the wickets falling on the other side hurt his form. He kept the pressure on the opponents, with Mohammad Nadeem (46*) joining in the run-scoring. Little got the much-needed wicket of Maqsood but it might have been a little too late for Ireland.
Nadeem carried the team to the very end. Ayaan Khan (21) was caught and bowled by Adair for the Irish pacer to get his second of the game, but four overs later, Shoaib Khan (19) secured the victory with a four and 11 balls to spare.
Earlier, George Dockrell was the main aggressor with his 91 rescuing the team from 217/6. He combined with Harry Tector for a partnership of 79 runs off 102 balls. It turned out to not be enough as Oman secured an emphatic victory.
This is Oman's third win over Ireland across all formats, having beaten them twice in previous T20Is.
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