USA Defends Lowest Ever Total to Beat Oman by 57 Runs in World Cup League 2 | Cricket News

USA’s Spin Dominance Secures Unlikely Victory

In a thrilling Cricket World Cup League 2 match, the United States stunned Oman by defending the lowest-ever total of 122 in a non-curtailed ODI. The USA emerged victorious by 57 runs, dismissing Oman for just 65, which is now their lowest total in men’s international cricket.

Kenjige’s Match-Winning 5-Wicket Haul

The star of the show was Nosthush Kenjige, whose left-arm spin wreaked havoc on Oman’s batting order. The American spinner claimed an impressive 5/11 from 7.3 overs, taking the game away from Oman and securing one of the lowest successful defenses in ODI history.

Milind Kumar also played a vital role with the ball, taking 2/17 and getting the crucial wicket of Oman’s captain, Jatinder Singh, for just 7 runs. Harmeet Singh (1/25) and Yasir Mohammed (2/10) further contributed to the spin-dominated victory.

A Spin-Friendly Surface at the Oman Cricket Academy

The match took place at the Oman Cricket Academy, where the surface was notably slow, providing favorable conditions for spinners. Notably, not a single over of pace bowling was bowled, as both teams relied solely on their spinners. This was a stark contrast to previous years, where the pitch had shown more pace, particularly during the 2021 T20 World Cup.

USA’s Batting Struggles Before Milind Kumar’s Resistance

Oman chose to bowl first, hoping to replicate their spin success from a previous match against Namibia. The USA struggled early in their innings, with captain Monank Patel falling for a duck. By the 13th over, five USA batters were back in the pavilion.

Aaron Jones (16) and Sanjay Krishnamurthi (16) showed brief resistance, but it was Milind Kumar’s composed knock of 47* that pushed the total past three figures. His six boundaries ensured the USA posted 122 all out in 35.3 overs, with Shakeel Ahmad’s 3/20 leading Oman’s bowling efforts.

Oman Falls Short in Chase, USA Completes the Unlikely Victory

Despite the low target, Oman’s batting crumbled under the pressure of USA’s spinners. Kenjige’s brilliant spell, along with solid support from the others, ensured Oman was dismissed for just 65. This was Oman’s lowest score in international men’s cricket, and they fell short by 57 runs.

A Historic Victory for USA

This remarkable victory will go down as one of the most stunning performances in the Cricket World Cup League 2. The USA’s bowlers turned what seemed like an unachievable task into a commanding win, reminding everyone of the unpredictable nature of ODI cricket.

Looking Ahead

With such a spectacular result, the USA will be full of confidence as they look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches. Oman, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly and learn from their collapse in order to bounce back in the tournament.

The USA’s spin dominance in this match was both unexpected and impressive. Their defense of 122 will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most thrilling moments in ODI cricket, proving that in cricket, no target is ever too small to defend.

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