T20 World Cup 2021 got off to a terrific start for hosts Oman as they registered a record 10-wicket win over Papua New Guinea (PNG) at Al Amerat Cricket Ground. In the 130-run chase, PNG achieved multiple feats and boosted their net run rate, which will come handy in the later stage of the group matches.
It was a comprehensive win for PNG as they chased down 130 with 38 balls to spare and 10 wickets in hand. Oman openers Aqib Ilyas and Jatinder Singh remained unbeaten for 50 and 73 to help their team register an easy win. Earlier, Oman skipper Zeeshan Maqsood was the pick of the bowlers taking four wickets for 20 runs and restricting PNG’s first inning score to 129/9.
World Cup record
This is the joint-biggest win by a team in T20 World Cup history in terms of wickets in hand. Only Australia and South Africa have been able to achieve this feat but they are at the top, thanks to larger number of balls remaining. Australia achieved the feat against Sri Lanka in the inaugural season whereas South Africa did it against Zimbabwe in 2012 edition.
Oman’s personal record
This is the joint-biggest win for Oman in the format in terms of wickets in hand and balls remaining. Oman’s only 10-wicket win in T20Is came against Maldives in 2020 when they chased down the same target of 130 with 34 balls to spare, four less than their win against PNG.
Record opening partnership
The 132-run opening partnership between Aqib and Jatinder is Oman’s highest-ever in the format. Also, it is sixth-highest in T20 World Cup events over the years. The record for highest opening partnership in T20 World Cup belongs to West Indies’ Chris Gayle and Dwayne Smith against South Africa in the inaugural season where the self-proclaimed Universe Boss scored the tournament’s first century. Aqib remained unbeaten on 50 from 43 balls whereas Jatinder took on PNG bowlers scoring 73 off 42 deliveries including seven fours and four sixes. Jatinder's 73 is also the highest score by an Oman batsman. The Ludhiana-born cricketer is currently the leading run-scorer for Oman in T20Is. Also, he has four out of top five high scores for his country.
Maqsood enters elite list of captains
Oman skipper Maqsood’s 4/20 is the joint-best bowling figures by a captain in T20 World Cup. The left-arm spinner joined New Zealand’s legendary bowler Daniel Vettori who registered same bowling figures while leading his team against India in T20 World Cup 2007. The 33-year-old rushed through PNG’s middle-order while maintaining an impressive economy rate.
