Oman qualify for 2027 World Cup Qualifier on better net run rate

Hyderabad: Oman have secured their place in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2027 despite losing to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 42 runs in the final match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2, played at the ICC Academy grounds in Dubai on Wednesday.

Oman, who lost their last seven matches, finished level with Namibia on 33 points in the standings but qualified on a better net run rate.

Put in to bat, the UAE scored 226 for eight, thanks to useful knocks from captain Rahul Chopra (47), Adeeb Usmani (47) and Basil Hameed (43), even as Oman’s left-arm spinner Shakeel Ahmed claimed three for 42.

In reply, Oman were reduced to 28 for three at one stage, with Muhammad Rohid claiming two early wickets, but eventually managed 184 for nine. Mujibur Ali top-scored for Oman with 65.

Oman join champions the USA, Scotland and the Netherlands as the four teams progressing directly from the competition to the 10-team Global Qualifier.

The four remaining League 2 teams — Namibia, Canada, Nepal and the UAE — will continue their qualification journey at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Playoff.

They will be joined in the eight-team playoff by Italy, Jersey, Kuwait and Uganda. Jersey and Kuwait qualified from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League A, while Italy and Uganda progressed from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League B.

The Qualifier Playoff represents one last chance for teams to advance to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2027, with four places up for grabs.

The 10-team Global Qualifier will then determine the final four places at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.