PANAJI
Goa produced a much-improved all-round performance and pushed Oman to the wire in the second T20 of the two-match series at Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1), with the hosts eventually securing a three-wicket win with one ball to spare.
After being asked to bat first, Goa posted a competitive 150 for nine in their 20 overs, showing a marked improvement with the bat compared to the opening game. Oman, chasing 151, were reduced to 76 for six in 13.4 overs as Goa’s bowlers kept the pressure on and appeared well placed to defend the total.
Opener Abhinav Tejrana led the Goa batting effort with an aggressive 46 off 26 balls, striking four fours and three sixes. Manthan Khutkar provided valuable support with 41 off 32 balls, while Suyash Prabhudessai added a brisk 36 off 25 balls, including five boundaries.
Goa’s bowlers then put Oman under considerable pressure during the chase. With six wickets down and the required runs still to come, the match remained firmly in Goa’s favour. Oman, however, held their nerve in the closing stages, with Jiten Ramanandi scoring an unbeaten 32 off 24 balls. Hasnain Ali Shah contributed a quick 27 off 11 balls, while Faizal Shah remained unbeaten on 19 off nine deliveries to take Oman across the line with one ball remaining.
For Oman, Hasnain Ali Shah was the most effective bowler, finishing with four wickets for 19 runs, while Jiten Ramanandi claimed two wickets. Faizal Shah and Shahzad Rahim took one wicket each.
Despite the result, Goa’s performance in the second game offered several positives, particularly their improved batting effort and the pressure created by their bowling attack during the majority of Oman’s chase. The match also provided valuable competitive exposure for the Goa players against Oman in the two-match series.
Brief Scorecard
Goa: 150/9 in 20 overs (Abhinav Tejrana 46, Shivendra Bhujbal 4, Manthan Khutkar 41, Suyash Prabhudessai 36, Mohit Redkar 5, Darshan Misal 5, Vikas Singh 2, Deepraj Gaonkar 2, Chigurupati Venkata 2, Felix Alemao not out 3, Extras 4; Bowling: Faizal Shah 1/40, Shahzad Rahim 1/32, Siddharth Bukkapatnam 0/18, Zikria Islam 0/22, Jiten Ramanandi 2/18, Hasnain Ali Shah 4/19) lost to Oman: 154/7 in 19.5 overs (Jatinder Singh 1, Hasnain-ul-Wahab 11, Hammad Mirza 6, Wasim Ali 18, Zikria Islam 18, Jiten Ramanandi not out 32, Vinayak Shukla 14, Hasnain Ali Shah 27, Faizal Shah not out 19, Extras 8; Bowling: Vasuki Koushik 2/17, Felix Alemao 1/22, Darshan Misal 0/9, Chigurupati Venkata 2/22, Mohit Redkar 2/54, Deepraj Gaonkar 0/27).
