A maiden ODI hundred from opener Vikramjit Singh and Wesley Barresi’s 97 helped the Netherlands stay in contention for ODI World Cup qualification with a huge 74-run win over Oman via DLS method in their Super Six match of the qualifiers at the Harare Sports Club on Monday.
Pushed into batting first, despite rain taking away two overs, Vikramjit slammed a 109-ball 110, laced with 11 fours and two sixes, while Barresi was impressive in his 65-ball 97, hitting ten fours and three sixes, for the Netherlands to post an imposing 362/7 in 48 overs.
In reply, despite a brilliant 105 not out off 92 balls by Ayaan Khan, also his first ODI century, and his stand of 112 runs for the fifth wicket with Shoaib Khan, Oman were always behind in the tall chase and ended up at 246/6 in 44 overs, before bad light stopped play again end of the match and both teams decided to shake hands, bringing the match to an end.
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Despite the big win, the Netherlands could not get their Net Run Rate (NRR) past either Scotland or Zimbabwe. If Zimbabwe win against Scotland on Tuesday, the hosts will seal the last remaining ODI World Cup spot, pushing both Scotland and the Netherlands out of the race. But if Scotland win, then the Netherlands must defeat them by a big enough margin to go past their NRR.
In the morning, Oman pacers Bilal Khan and Kaleemullah got the ball to zip around under overcast conditions. The Dutch openers held their own till play was disrupted due to rain, and the game turning into a 48-over contest.
On resumption, Vikramjit set the tone for attacking Oman’s bowlers by smashing three boundaries in Kaleemullah’s third over, whereas Max O’Dowd hit a six and four in his fourth. Vikramjit continued to keep his foot on the pedal and reached his half-century in the 18th over, with the century of the opening partnership also brought up.
O’Dowd, however, fell for 35 from 64 balls to the left-arm spinner Ayaan. Vikramjit was then joined by Barresi and the duo kept going after Oman’s bowlers. The duo added 80 runs from 72 balls, with Vikramjit getting to his maiden ODI hundred in the 31st over.