In a thrilling T20 encounter held at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground, the United States (USA) claimed a convincing seven-wicket victory against Oman during the opening match of their three-match T20I series. An outstanding century by Saiteja Mukkamalla led the visitors to successfully chase down Oman’s formidable score of 190/5, doing so with six balls remaining.
Choosing to field after winning the toss, USA initially found themselves on the back foot as Oman’s top order showcased powerful batting. Captain Jatinder Singh (28 off 20) set a fiery pace, consistently finding the boundary. However, his dismissal in the eighth over—leg before wicket to Harmeet Singh—allowed USA’s bowlers an opportunity to regroup.
Aamir Kaleem stood out for Oman, anchoring the innings with a stellar unbeaten 72 from 50 balls. His innings, featuring 11 boundaries, served as the foundation for Oman’s total. He received valuable support from wicketkeeper-batsman Vinayak Shukla, who contributed a brisk 36 off 22 balls with two sixes and two fours to help accelerate the run-rate.
Despite USA’s attempts to curb the scoring, Oman finished with a commendable total of 190/5 after 20 overs, ending on a high note with an unbeaten 12-run cameo from Wasim Ali in just four balls. Harmeet Singh was the stand-out bowler for USA, claiming 3/37, while Nosthush Kenjige (1/19) provided economical support, keeping the Omani batsmen in check.
In pursuit of 191 for victory, USA’s innings began shakily as Steven Taylor (6 off 10) fell victim to Sufyan Mehmood early on. Nevertheless, the early loss did not dampen their spirits, as Andries Gous (28 off 21) and Saiteja Mukkamalla retaliated effectively.
Mukkamalla delivered a spectacular performance, notching up a rapid 100 off only 48 balls at an impressive strike rate of 208.33. His innings included seven fours and seven gigantic sixes, as he skillfully dismantled the Omani bowling lineup. The young batsman expertly adjusted his pace throughout the innings to keep the USA ahead of the required run rate.
Captain Monank Patel (27 off 22) offered stability during the chase, while Aaron Jones (25* off 14) concluded the innings on a high with a flurry of aggressive shots. Together, they ensured a seamless finish, leading USA to 194/3 in 19 overs.
Oman’s bowlers faced difficulties maintaining control over USA’s aggressive batting, conceding runs at vital moments. Sufyan Mehmood (1/44) and Mohammad Nadeem (1/43) managed to take wickets but were expensive in the process. Shakeel Ahmed emerged as the most economical bowler, allowing only 26 runs from his four overs, yet the rest of the attack was unable to exert any real pressure.
This substantial victory marks a significant advancement for USA in the series, with Saiteja Mukkamalla rightfully receiving the Player of the Match accolade for his exceptional performance.
Image Source: Texas Super Kings @ YouTube
