Bilal, Maqsood help Oman defend 131

Oman 131 for 6 (Kaleem 42*, Aizaz 3-22) beat Hong Kong 127 (Nizakat 29, Bilal 4-20, Maqsood 3-22) by four runs
Scorecard

Fast bowler Bilal Khan and left-arm spinner Zeeshan Maqsood picked up seven wickets between them, leading Oman to a four-run win against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi. Victory also meant that Oman took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Defending just 131, Bilal (4 for 20) and Maqsood (3 for 22) thwarted Hong Kong's chase by striking at regular intervals. With Hong Kong floundering at 89 for 6, it appeared Oman had the upper hand, but a handy 26-ball 29 from Nizakat Khan kept the score ticking. By running singles and striking the occasional four, Hong Kong brought the equation down to six needed off the final over with two wickets in hand, but with Nizakat stuck at the non-striker's end. Haseeb Amjad converted the first ball, bowled by Bilal, for a single, but Nizakat failed to make most of the strike, as Bilal yorked him second delivery. Bilal then bowled two successive dot balls, before wrapping up the game by once again bowling out Nadeem Ahmed, the No.11 batsman.

Earlier, Oman, after being sent in, began poorly, losing their top three inside nine overs. However, Hong Kong were unable to completely firm up their advantage, as Aamir Kaleem counterattacked with a 31-ball 42, helping his team to 131 for 6. Fast bowler Aizaz Khan was the pick of the Hong Kong bowlers, collecting 3 for 22.