Bilal Khan the star as Oman seals T20I series

Bilal Khan’s four-wicket haul and Aamir Kaleem’s unbeaten 42 stood out in Oman’s four-run win over Hong Kong in the second Twenty20 International at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (November 25).

The win gave Oman the three-match series after it had won the first game by six wickets.

Batting first, Oman put up 131 for 6, and then it bowled out Hong Kong for 127 with one ball in hand.

In its chase, Hong Kong lost Anshuman Rath off the first ball of the innings when Bilal had him caught behind with a slightly widish delivery. Bilal struck in his next over again when Waqas Barkat was caught behind in almost similar fashion.

Babar Hayat and Mark Chapman put on 36 runs to put the chase back on track, but Zeeshan Maqsood bowled Chapman for 20. Maqsood made two more impressions after that as he had Hayat out for 27 and Tanwir Afzal, the captain, for seven to finish with figures of 3 for 22.

At 104 for 7, Hong Kong was in a huge spot of bother, but a brisk 20-run stand between Nizakat Khan and Christopher Carter gave the team some hope before Nizakat became the ninth man to fall in the last over of the match, bowled by Bilal.

After that, Hong Kong needed five runs in four balls, but, Bilal, who returned 4 for 20 – his career-best effort – bowled Nadeem Ahmed off the penultimate ball of the game.

Earlier in the day, Oman’s innings had been steered by the 47-run stand between Adnan Ilyas and Kaleem. Ilyas was run out for a run-a-ball 37 in the 15th over, but Kaleem remained unbeaten to take the team past the 130-run mark.

Kaleem, who faced just 31 balls, hit four fours and a six. For Hong Kong, Aizaz Khan was the most impressive bowler with 3 for 22.

The last match of the series will be played on Thursday.

To see full scorecard, click here