IN THEIR FIRST EVER MATCH in a global event, Oman stunned favourites Ireland, to win a heart-stopping, see-saw thriller by two wickets with one ball to spare in a Group A contest in the ICC World Twenty20 2016.
As with most such historic victories, there were multiple heroes for Oman.
Munees Ansari (3 for 37), Aamir Kaleem (one for 27) and Khawar Ali (one for 20) starred with the ball and helped restrict Ireland to 154 for 5 before more heroes arose in the batting unit.
Zeeshan Maqsood and Khawar, the openers, set the platform with a 69-run stand before a stunning cameo from Aamer Ali, making his debut at the age of 37, grabbed the match from Ireland with a 17-ball 32.
In the end, Oman finished on 157 for 8 with two deliveries to spare. (ICC)
Summarised scores:
Ireland 154 for five in 20 overs (Gary Wilson 38, Paul Stirling 29, William Porterfield 29, Niall O’Brien 16, Kevin O’Brien 14, Andrew Poynter 11 not out, Andy McBride 10 not out; Munis Ansari 3-37). Oman 157 for eight in 19.4 overs (Zeeshan Masqood 38, Khawar Ali 34, Aamer Ali 32, Jatinder Singh 24; Andy McBrine 2-15, Kevin O’Brien 2-25). Oman won by two wickets.