CRICKET - ICC T20 World Cup: Oman Defeat Ireland first surprise of the tournament

Oman surprised by two wickets after Khawar Ali, Zeeshan Maqsood and Ali Aamer made important contributions. This is the first time Oman is playing in the top event.

Zeeshan Maqsood was the top scorer of Oman.

Debutantes Oman handed batting an effort resolved to stun Ireland by two wickets and register a victory in nerve wrecking on their experienced opponents in their Group A match classification ICC Twenty20 World, here on Wednesday. (Scorekeeper)

Chasing a competitive 155 to win, Oman was a blazing start with openers - Zeeshan Maqsood (38 of 33) and Khawar Ali (34 of 26) obtaining 69 versus 8.2 overs.

But then came Kevin O'Brien (2/25), which dismissed both openers looking dangerous in their consecutive acquisitions to bring Ireland back in the game.

Jatinder Singh (24 of 26) struggled to get going, while Adnan Ilyas Khan and Mehran disappointed his side as Oman lost three wickets in short time.

After Kevin O'Brien, who was two scalps of Andy McBrine in 14th place during that dashed hopes of Oman.

However, towards the end, Aamer Ali (32 of 16, 5x4s, 1x6) used his long handle to great effect to keep Oman in the hunt until the last over.

Needing 14 in the last over, Oman mounted on luck and some bad fielding and bowling Max Sorenson to overwhelm the target with a ball to spare.

Earlier opting to bat, Ireland to put up a decent show to post a competitive 154/5.

Skipper William Porterfield (29, 28) and Paul Stirling (29 of 22) shared an opening position of 48 runs in 6.3 overs to give Ireland a flying start.

One less Gary Wilson and then smashed 38 off 34 balls with the help of five boundaries to continue the good work of the openers.

But then Oman pacemaker Munis Ansari (3/37) arrived at the party in middele scales and picked up two wickets - Niall O'Brien (16) and his brother Kevin O'Brien (14) - in the 16 to pull back Ireland .

Andrew Poynter (11 not out) and Andy McBrine (10 units 3) short balls played small cameos to take Ireland past the 150 mark -run.

Besides Ansari, Aamir Kaleem (1/27) and Khawar Ali (1/20) picked up a wicket each of Oman.

Brief scores: Ireland: 154 for five in 20 overs (Gary Wilson 38; Munis Ansari 3/37). Oman: 156 for eight in 19.5 overs (Zeeshan Maqsood 38; Andy McBrine 2/15).