Scotland keep their nerve as Oman fail to last the pace

NICK HOWSON: The Super 12 shootout went the way of the Scots, who progress with a 100 per cent record after a brief blip to silence a raucous home crowd

While cricket simply must celebrate this preliminary stage, which has showcased new teams, players, and stories, there should be regret over some of the preparations. Papua New Guinea had not been seen at this level since qualifying for the tournament and co-hosts Oman have been missing in action since the pandemic hit.

For a side largely drawn from the Indian subcontinent and without outstanding global superstars, Oman need synergy and a proper plan before the national academy opened in 2013 starts to bear fruit.

Taking nothing away from the experienced Duldeep Mendis, but he can hardly boast the greatest of circumstances in which to operate. After rain denied them progress in 2016, a rained-off clash with Netherlands and some unfortunate DRS calculations against Bangladesh, they were left disappointed again.

Scotland are not a spectacular side by any stretch. They have a group of talented cricketers rather than geniuses. But the preliminary stage doesn't demand brilliance, but nerve and a calm demeanor.

It is those skills that sees them into the Super 12, and not an Oman side who simply need more time together. After overcoming PNG, they've allowed two presentable opportunities to slip through their fingers. Indeed, they may have more regrets about how the chase against Bangladesh unraveled but there will be misgivings about both of their defeats.

^{Zeesham Maqsood went on the attack but too many of his teammates failed to show poise}

Taking nothing away from the nations who will make up the Super 12, but there will be something hollow about all matches being played at a neutral venue. Oman's status as the only host county in the competition lasted barely a week, but it has been heartening to hear a home crowd get behind them. Every boundary and wicket was met with the kind of roar that defines major tournaments of any sport, in any country. It was enough to make you wish the UAE had progressed in the qualifier two years ago. Sort of.

From the moment both captains Zeesham Maqsood and Kyle Coetzer revealed their XIs at the toss and their views on the surface you knew there would be daylight between them by the end, whatever the outcome. Oman added an extra batter in Khawar Ali while the Scots swapped in Safyaan Sharif for Alasdair Evans.

Interpretations of the conditions played themselves out in the first innings. Oman saw an opportunity to put runs on the board and went looking for 170-190, finishing up with 122 and a highlights reel best left for the cutting room floor.

Too many batters went for audacious swipes, trying to hit Scotland out of the ground rather than just over the rope. Coetzer, meanwhile, has a canny battery of spinners at his disposal in the form of Mark Watt, Chris Greaves, and Michael Leask. Once they realised Oman's eyes were bigger than their stomachs they simply tossed the ball up, sometimes illegally, and watched them fall into a trap.

That said, there was still time for some calamity. In the 14th over, Greaves flung one out above the hip of Maqsood, who was caught on the boundary off the no-ball. The skipper had a second close shave when he hit the ball into the Muscat sky, his opposite number Coetzer lost it in the air and then missed a shy at the stumps. It was a chaotic passage of play amid the pressure.

^{Mark Watt claimed 1 for 23}

Nineteen runs and four wickets from the last three overs said as much about Oman's lack of execution as it did Scotland's solidity in the field. They were excellent while the ball was flying all over the place under lights.

As predicted, there would end up being a visible gap between the two sides at the final evaluation. Coetzer had gone off with a finger injury during the Oman innings but looked unperturbed, his 41 ended a rotten run of form of one double-figure score in eight T20I innings. Depositing the ball onto the roofs of various marquees around the ground was a joy.

Bilal Khan was naturally the star performer with the ball, but Scotland fended him off and lay siege on his teammates. They might have enough to progress through the global qualifier for the 2022 event, but they need to clone the left-armer in time for Australia.

So it will be Scotland against Afghanistan, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the runners-up from Group 1. In the competition of opportunity, George Munsey, Coetzer, Richie Berrington, and Josh Davey will get the chance to mix it with Rashid Khan, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Babar Azam.

This is the biggest moment for the men's team since attaining ICC associate membership in 1994. And you can't say they don't deserve it.

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