ABU DHABI // Oman performed a remarkable turnaround as they thrashed Hong Kong at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Monday, less than 24 hours after a pitiful start to the Desert T20 against the Netherlands.
The Gulf side were as dominant against their Asian rivals as they had been lamentable in losing to the Dutch on Sunday.
The crushing seven-wicket win, secured with nine overs left, put them in with a strong chance of qualifying for Friday’s play-offs.
Bilal Khan, the left-arm swing bowler, was their star for the second day running, and was named man of the match for his three wickets as Hong Kong fell for just 87. Aaqib Ilyas made 56 not out as victory was achieved at a canter.
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With such a quick turn around from their first pool match to the second, there had been no chance to correct the technical deficiencies that plagued their opening game, when simple catches were dropped, balls were fumbled, and a farcical run out happened.
The improvement was vast, though, and Duleep Mendis, the Oman coach, said the turnaround was down to nothing more scientific that a “good chat,” and a change in thought process.
“It was all about commitment and attitude,” said Mendis, the former Sri Lanka Test player.
“[Against the Netherlands] it was the first game and it took them a while to get into it. When it comes to fielding, it is only about your attitude to it and the commitment you show.”
The defeat realistically ended Hong Kong’s chances of advancing past the pool stage.
“It is one of those things that happens every so often,” Simon Cook, the Hong Kong coach, said of the batting implosion.
“We paid the price for playing across the line too much. It was a cascade effect, and 88 is just not defendable.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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