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Australia demolished Oman by nine wickets to win the final Twenty20 World Cup group encounter in Pallekele on Friday in emphatic style, . Both teams were already eliminated from the tournament.
Chasing a modest target of 105, Mitchell Marsh was in no mood to hang around and ruthlessly dispatched Oman’s bowlers, bringing up his half-century off 26 balls inside the first powerplay.
Oman’s Shakeel Ahmed collided with wicketkeeper Vinayak Shukla when he dismissed Travis Head caught and bowled off a top edge for 32 and the 38-year-old spinner was so overjoyed he brought out Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark goal celebration.
Marsh finished unbeaten on 64 with seven boundaries and four sixes to guide Australia home with 62 balls to spare, equalling the T20 World Cup record for the fastest chase of a total of more than 100. Australia finished third in the group with two wins and two defeats while Oman propped up the table with no points.
Australia produced a clinical bowling display to dismiss Oman for 104 in 16.2 overs after winning the toss and opting to field, with Adam Zampa finishing with figures of four for 21.
Xavier Bartlett set the tone with a wicket with the first ball of the match, removing Aamir Kaleem. Bartlett’s movement troubled the batters and he bowled Jatinder Singh in his next over.
Oman attempted to rebuild, but none of their batters converted their starts into substantial scores. Wasim Ali stood out with 32 off 33 balls, offering the only meaningful resistance as wickets fell steadily at the other end.
Australia’s spinners dominated the middle overs as Oman struggled, frequently misjudging their lengths and playing down the wrong line.
