Edwards’ magnificent captain's knock lays the foundation for T20I victory against Oman

Oman vs Scotland, First T20I

Scotland has officially started its ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 qualification campaign with a convincing 16-run victory over Oman in the opening match of the five-match T20I series in Muscat, Oman. Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer won the toss and elected to bat first.

Scotland's openers George Munsey and Michael Jones provided a solid start, putting on 43 runs for the first wicket. Munsey was dismissed for 21, but Jones continued to bat aggressively, scoring 38 runs off 29 balls before he was caught by Oman captain Zeeshan Maqsood off the bowling of Fayyaz Butt.

Coetzer then joined Richie Berrington at the crease, and the pair put on a crucial 63-run partnership for the third wicket. Coetzer, promoted to the opening position for this series, played a captain's knock, scoring a brilliant 58 runs off 42 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes.

Berrington also played a valuable role, contributing 30 runs off 27 balls. Scotland finished their innings with a competitive total of 169/5 from their allotted 20 overs.

Oman's chase

In reply, Oman's openers Jatinder Singh and Aqib Ilyas gave their team a solid start, putting on 41 runs for the first wicket.

However, Scotland's bowlers fought back, taking wickets at regular intervals. Ilyas was dismissed for 23 by Mark Watt, while Singh was caught by Coetzer off the bowling of Alasdair Evans for 28. Oman continued to lose wickets, and despite a valiant effort from Maqsood, who scored 35 runs off 20 balls, they were eventually bowled out for 153 runs in 19.2 overs.

Watt was the pick of the Scottish bowlers, taking 3/24 from his four overs, including the crucial wicket of Singh. Evans and Safyaan Sharif also chipped in with two wickets each.