MUSCAT: Saudi Arabia delivered a remarkable upset in the T20 Gulf Cup at the ICC Academy in Dubai, defeating defending champions Oman by eight wickets. Chasing 166, Faisal Khan led Saudi Arabia with an extraordinary knock of 70 off 40 balls, supported by Usman Khalid’s 38. Their partnership of 91 runs set the stage for a clinical chase. Saudi’s calculated approach saw them reach the target in 18.5 overs, leaving Oman’s hopes of progressing to the final in jeopardy.
Oman’s innings, spearheaded by Mohammad Nadeem’s steady 60 off 49 balls, fell short of a winning total. Nadeem formed critical partnerships with Ashish Odedara (41 runs) and Wasim Ali (62 runs) but lacked support from the middle order. Aamir Kaleem’s late cameo of 17 off 6 balls added some momentum, but Oman’s 165/6 wasn’t enough against a disciplined Saudi bowling attack. Usman Najeeb and Ishtiaq Ahmad shone with two wickets each, restricting Oman at key moments.
The victory propelled Saudi Arabia into contention, creating a tight battle in the points table. Four teams, including Oman, are tied with four points, with net run rate becoming the decisive factor for qualification. Oman now faces a must-win situation against Kuwait on Friday, where both performance and net run rate will determine their fate in the tournament. Meanwhile, UAE maintains their lead with three consecutive wins and a healthy net run rate of +1.060.
This stunning performance by Saudi Arabia highlights the unpredictability of the Gulf Cup and the rising competitiveness among regional teams. With each match becoming crucial, cricket fans across the region are witnessing one of the most thrilling editions of the tournament, where every run and wicket counts toward deciding the finalists.
