Scotland lose to Oman as rain hits again in Namibia

Scotland lost a reduced-overs ODI match against Oman by 12 runs in what has been a frustrating World Cup League Two visit to Namibia.

The first scheduled meeting with Oman was abandoned without a ball bowled on Thursday because of damp conditions, while Monday’s game with the host nation got under way but was rained off.

More bad weather in Windhoek led to a 20-over contest, down from the scheduled 50, and Oman made a flying start, reaching 100 without loss at the halfway stage thanks to skipper Jatinder Singh (51) and Ashish Odedara (43).

The openers fell in the 11th and 12th overs and wickets began to tumble regularly thereafter.

Sayfaan Sharif took a momentum shifting two wickets in the 15th over, with both batters out for a duck and the score on 127-5.

Michael Leask and Jack Jarvis also claimed a brace of wickets as Shakeel Ahmed hit a six and a four off Sharif in the final over to finish on 23 not out for a 163-7 total.

In reply, Scotland lost experienced opener George Munsey in the second over and Finlay McCreath was gone in the next.

Brandon McMullen hit his second delivery for four and followed that with back-to-back sixes but he too was soon departed for 22, along with captain Richie Berrington, who managed one more run.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Cross was Scotland’s top scorer on 24, but the loss of a wicket for a mere three runs in both the 18th and 19th overs ended any hope of victory, with 17 coming off the 20th for 151-9.

Defending champions Scotland remain second in the World Cup League Two table, which features eight teams, but have played three more matches than leaders the USA, who are four points better off.

Oman are up to third, three points behind the Scots, with four matches in hand.

Oman will seek a second win over Namibia on Friday and the tri-series between the three concludes with Scotland against Namibia on Sunday.