CWC23 Qualifier: Vikramjit, Barresi help Netherlands register 74-run win over Oman

The Netherlands has registered a massive 74-run win over Oman in Cricket World Cup Qualifier match at Harare keeping their hopes alive in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 qualification race. The highlight of the match was a spectacular century by Vikramjit Singh, supported by an aggressive innings from Wesley Barresi, as the Dutch team secured important Super Six points. Aryan Dutt’s outstanding bowling performance, claiming figures of 3-31, also played a crucial role in restricting Oman’s chase.

Batting first, the Netherlands set a formidable target of 364 runs after rain reduced the match to 48 overs per side. Vikramjit Singh’s magnificent century, coupled with Barresi’s aggressive knock of 97 off 65 deliveries, propelled the Dutch team to a commanding position. Bas de Leede and Saqib Zulfiqar also made valuable contributions, adding to the team’s imposing total.

In response, Oman started steadily but without posing a significant threat to the Dutch team. Jatinder Singh and Kashyap Prajapati put together a 34-run partnership before Singh was run out for 17. Captain Aqib Ilyas fell quickly, dismissed for just four runs by Ryan Klein.

Although Oman reached the 100-run mark in the 19th over, they struggled to keep up with the required run rate. The Netherlands had several missed opportunities in the field, allowing Prajapati to survive. However, when Aryan Dutt removed Mohammad Nadeem in the 20th over, the Dutch team secured their fourth wicket.

The partnership between Ayaan Khan and Shoaib Khan provided some momentum to the Oman innings. They stitched together a 50-run partnership in 48 deliveries, with Ayaan reaching his half-century in the 27th over. Oman crossed the 200-run mark in the 34th over. However, the partnership came to an end in the 38th over when Shoaib was stumped by Scott Edwards. Despite their efforts, the required run rate escalated to around 15 runs per over, making a Dutch victory all but certain.

In the 41st over, Ayaan reached a significant personal milestone by scoring his maiden ODI hundred. However, due to poor lighting, the match was eventually abandoned in the 44th over.

Earlier in the match, Oman won the toss and elected to bowl first. Their pacers, Bilal Khan and Kaleemullah, took advantage of the cloudy conditions and posed a challenge for the Dutch openers, Vikramjit Singh and Max ODowd. The pair showed resilience until rain interrupted play, leading to a reduction in overs to 48.

When the game resumed, the Netherlands came out all guns blazing. Vikramjit Singh hammered three boundaries in Kaleemullah’s third over, while Max O’Dowd hit a six and a four in his fourth over. The opening duo guided the Netherlands to 52 runs by the end of the 10th over. Vikramjit continued his aggressive approach and reached his half-century in the 18th over. The century partnership between Vikramjit and ODowd was also completed during this period.

However, Ayaan Khan’s spin proved troublesome for ODowd, and he was eventually dismissed for 35 off 64 balls. Wesley Barresi then joined Vikramjit at the crease, and the duo continued to score at a brisk pace, adding 80 runs from 72 balls.

Vikramjit reached his maiden ODI hundred in the 31st over.

The left-handed batsman was eventually dismissed for 105 off Mohammad Nadeem’s bowling, caught by Fayyaz Butt at long-on. Barresi, aged 39, took charge of the Netherlands’ innings with a quick fifty. He smashed two sixes and four fours in his innings of 55 off just 27 balls. Along with the aggressive Bas de Leede, who scored 39 off 19 deliveries, Barresi propelled the Dutch team’s total to an impressive 362/7.

Waited long time for it: Netherlands’ Vikramjit Singh on smashing maiden ton

Netherlands batsman Vikramjit Singh was thrilled to score his first international century. His century was crucial in the Netherlands’ 74-run victory over Oman in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023.

Speaking at a post-match press conference, Singh said, “Amazing, have waited a long time for it. Finally getting an ODI hundred. We’ve been talking that in the start it will go a bit in the first 15 overs. Our thoughts were just to look out for that period and then get going. I wanted to bat long and let things take care of themselves. After 15 overs today, we batted the way we wanted to.”