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The ICC T20 World Cup is now in full swing, and Group B is no exception. Scotland, fresh off a victory over Namibia, will face Oman in the 20th game of the tournament at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua on June 9th, starting at 10:30 PM. This match promises to be a crucial encounter for both teams as they aim to progress in the tournament.
Recent Performances
Scotland: Scotland claimed a significant victory against Namibia, restricting them to 155 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. The Bradley duo (Bradley Currie and Bradley Wheal) were instrumental, taking 5 wickets for just 49 runs in 8 overs. Skipper Richie Berrington’s unbeaten 47 and Michael Leask’s quickfire 35 off 17 balls ensured a comfortable chase, leading Scotland to a 5-wicket win. Wheal was awarded Man of the Match for his all-round performance.
Oman: Oman has had a tough start, losing their first game to Namibia in a super-over and then falling to world champions Australia. Against Australia, Oman bowled first and restricted them to 164 runs, with Mehran Khan taking 2 wickets for 38 runs. Despite a middle-order fight led by Ayaan Khan (36) and Mehran Khan (27), Oman could only manage 125 runs for 9 wickets, losing by 39 runs.
Current Standings
- Scotland: Top of Group B with 3 points.
- Oman: Bottom of Group B without a point.
Scotland is unbeaten against Oman in T20Is, having won all 4 previous encounters.
Team Previews
Scotland
Scotland is buoyant after their win and aims to secure a spot in the Super 8 stage with a victory over Oman. Key players include:
- George Munsey: Leading run-scorer for Scotland with 482 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 140.
- Richie Berrington: Skipper and vital middle-order batsman with 353 runs in 12 games.
- Michael Leask: Known for his explosive batting, scored 35 off 17 balls against Namibia.
- Bradley Currie and Bradley Wheal: Leading the bowling attack, with Currie having 22 wickets in 12 matches and Wheal taking 3 wickets in the last game.
Predicted Playing XI: George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (c), Matthew Cross (wk), Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Christopher Sole, Brad Wheal, Bradley Currie.
Oman
Oman faces a must-win situation to stay in the tournament. Key players include:
- Ayaan Khan: Top-scored with 36 against Australia.
- Mehran Khan: Key bowler with 5 wickets in the tournament so far.
- Aqib Ilyas: Skipper and leading run-scorer for Oman, though he has struggled in the last two games.
- Bilal Khan: Leading the pace attack with 37 wickets since 2023.
Predicted Playing XI: Kashyap Prajapati, Pratik Athavale (wk), Aqib Ilyas (c), Zeeshan Maqsood, Khalid Kail, Ayaan Khan, Shoaib Khan, Mehran Khan, Shakeel Ahmed, Kaleemullah, Bilal Khan.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The weather will be partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from 27 to 31 degrees Celsius. The pitch at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium offers a good balance between bat and ball, with early overs favoring fast bowlers due to consistent bounce. Historically, the pitch has seen teams batting first have an advantage.
Toss Prediction
The team winning the toss should opt to bat first, given the favorable conditions for setting a target. The average first innings score at this venue is 123, with teams batting first winning 14 out of 29 T20Is.
Winning Prediction
Scotland has historically dominated Oman in both T20Is and ODIs. Richie Berrington and Matthew Cross have been particularly successful against Oman, and Mehran Khan is the key threat from Oman’s side. Considering their current form and past record, Scotland is favored to win this match and strengthen their position in Group B.
Prediction: Scotland to win