SCOTLAND LEFT FRUSTRATED BY THE RAIN AGAINST OMAN – Cricket Scotland

Scotland were left frustrated by the rain against Oman, forced from the field with just 25 runs required for victory, with the weather failing to relent as the two sides were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

Earlier, Scotland had bowled Oman out for just 123 with a superb all-round display, led by debutant Jasper Davidson who impressed with 4-23 from his eight overs.

George Munsey (47) and Charlie Tear (39*) had broken the back of the run chase with a dynamic opening stand, but the rain arrived with Scotland 99-2 in 13 overs, with 20 overs required for a result.

Scotland Men’s Head Coach Doug Watson said: “It’s frustrating, but I must commend the players who were outstanding in the cricket we did play.

“Brandon McMullen returning to bowling and getting in his full 10 overs, taking two wickets, was incredibly pleasing, Watty (Mark Watt) was excellent, and what a fantastic debut that was from Jasper (Davidson).

“George Munsey and Charlie Tear were selfless in the way they batted and played terrifically, pushing hard for the win, but unfortunately rain won the day.”

After being inserted by Scotland captain Richie Berrington, Oman’s opening pair of Pratik Athavale and Kashyap Prajapati started brightly, with the former striking Safyaan Sharif twice through the covers for four.

After adding 22 for the opening wicket, a disastrous mix-up would bring about Prajapati’s downfall, the opener stranded halfway down the wicket as Richie Berrington completed the run out.

Athavale would fall two deliveries letter, a superb delivery from Brandon McMullen pegging back his off stump.

Aqib Ilyas started positively, hoisting both Brandon McMullen and Jasper Davidson away for sixes.

Ilyas and Zeeshan Maqsood advanced Oman’s total to 50, but Jack Jarvis would strike in his first over, Ilyas (23) edging to George Munsey who took a sharp chance at slip.

Shoaib Khan (1) would last just four deliveries, as he became Jasper Davidson’s first international wicket, trapped in front.

Maqsood and Aayan Khan then looked to stabilise their side’s innings, adding 44 in 10 overs as they frustrated the Scotland attack.

It would be the return to the attack of Brandon McMullen that brought about the breakthrough, cleaning up Khan (14), leaving Oman 97-5.

Zeeshan Maqsood would continue to lose partners at regular intervals, as Oman lost their last six wickets for just 26 runs.

The miserly Mark Watt, who conceded just eight runs from his six overs, struck to remove both Khalid Kail (6) and Fayyaz Butt (1), before Jasper Davidson cleaned up the remainer of the order.

The debutant dismissed Mehran Khan (0), Kaleemullah (5) and Bilal Khan (0), all caught behind by Matthew Cross, as Oman slumped to 123 all out.

George Munsey and Charlie Tear got Scotland’s reply off to a flying start, bringing up their 50 partnership in just 38 balls.

Both men found the boundary with regularity, and cleared the ropes, as Scotland raced towards their target.

Munsey would fall just short of his half-century, for 47, miscuing a delivery from Kaleemullah to Shoaib Khan, who took a simple catch at mid on to break an opening stand of 83.

Tear would take Kaleemullah for another six, before McMullen would fall for just 1, finding Prajapati at deep point.

Tear and Richie Berrington would take Scotland to within 25 of their target, when the heavens opened and forced the players from the field, unable to return as the rain continued to fall in Broughty Ferry.

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