Oman began their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 campaign on a positive note by securing a 41-run victory over Canada in their opening match at Al Amerat Cricket Ground on Friday. Batting first, Oman posted a total of 263 runs before being bowled out in 49.1 overs. Their bowlers then restricted Canada to 222 runs in 48 overs, clinching an important win as teams compete for qualification in the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Oman’s innings was anchored by Hassnain Ul Wahab, who scored a commanding 93 runs off 77 balls, featuring five fours and five sixes. Supporting contributions came from Mujibur Ali, who made 39 runs from 73 deliveries, and Jatinder Singh, who scored 34 runs off 30 balls. Zikria Islam added a late boost with 24 runs in 18 balls. Captain Vinayak Shukla chipped in with 20 runs, while Shakeel Ahmed contributed 18. Despite some resistance from Canada’s bowling attack, which included four wickets for Harsh Thaker and three for Ajayveer Hundal, Oman managed to put up a competitive total.

In response, Canada’s innings faltered under Omani bowling pressure. Hassnain Ali Shah took four wickets, and Shakeel Ahmad claimed three, helping to dismiss Canada well short of the target.

Oman’s head coach Sulakshan Kulkarni credited the team’s thorough preparation for the strong start. He noted that recent matches against Indian domestic sides Kerala and Mumbai had been instrumental in readying the squad for the League 2 fixtures. Speaking after the match, Kulkarni said the training sessions and familiarity with home conditions had contributed to the team’s confidence and game readiness.

Kulkarni also emphasized the balanced composition of the Omani squad, highlighting a mix of spin and pace bowlers, solid batting depth, and the presence of versatile all-rounders. “We have a well-balanced side, with a good mix of spinners, fast bowlers and batting options. We also have several all-rounders, which gives us an important advantage and provides flexibility in different match situations,” Kulkarni said.

Prior to the League 2 home leg, Oman participated in a triangular series with Mumbai and Kerala, finishing with two victories from four matches. These competitive encounters served as valuable preparation for the ongoing World Cup qualification campaign.