The United States of America and Singapore registered vital wins in the ICC World Cricket League Division 3 as they continued their bids for ICC World Cricket League Division 2.
There was plenty of tension at Oman Club Turf 2 as USA made it three wins from three with a narrow 16-run triumph against Denmark to go level at the top of the table.
Meanwhile, Singapore were in control throughout against Uganda as they won by 63 runs to make it back-to-back wins after losing their opening game against unbeaten hosts Oman.
USA and Oman will clash in a huge game on Friday, while Singapore will look to pile more pressure on the two sides when they take on Kenya in the other game tomorrow.
USA v Denmark
Despite losing the toss and being put in to bat, USA got off to a perfect start as opening batters Monank Patel (22) and Jaskaran Malhotra (39) put on 61 runs for the first wicket.
Denmark hit back with a few quick wickets as Patel and Malhotra both departed, along with Steven Taylor, but Aaron Jones got his team back on track with 78 off 99 balls.
A half-century from Hayden Walsh helped push the USA to 230 for eight from its 50 overs, with Nicolaj Laegsgaard the pick of the Denmark bowlers with 2/51.
Taranjit Bharaj set the platform for Denmark to push the USA close, hitting five fours and a six as he made 69 from 109 balls, with Abdul Hashmi also contributing a handy 48.
But wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as Timil Patel struck four times with the ball, while Elmore Hutchinson (2-28) also chipped in with a couple of key wickets.
Valiant rearguard action from Jonas Henriksen (12) and Laegsgaard (6) edged Denmark nearer the target, but Ali Khan’s wicket wrapped the game up for USA in the final over.
Scores in brief
USA 230/8, 50 overs (Aaron Jones 78, Hayden Walsh 57; Nicolaj Laegsgaard 2/51)
Demark 214 all out, 49.3 overs (Taranjit Bharaj 69, Abdul Hashmi 48; Timil Patel 4/28)
United States of America won by 16 runs at Oman Club Turf 2
Singapore 204 all out, 49.4 overs (Manpreet Singh 59, Chetan Suryawanshi 57; Riazat Ali Shah 3/41)
Uganda 141 all out, 42 overs (Kenneth Waiswa 61 not out; Janak Prakash 3/20)
Singapore won by 63 runs at Oman Club Turf 1
Here’s the latest updated #WCL3 table with #TeamUSA?? moving back to the top, above Oman on Net Run Rate, after the thrilling 16 run win over Denmark??
Remember the top 2 in the league will qualify for ICC World Cricket League Division 2 & that amazing chance to gain ODI Status! pic.twitter.com/WAZ8zCplGu
— USA Cricket (@usacricket) November 15, 2018
Upcoming matches:
16 November: Oman v USA (Oman Club Turf 1); Kenya v Singapore (Oman Club Turf 2)
18 November: Kenya v Denmark (Oman Club Turf 1); Oman v Uganda (Oman Club Turf 2)
19 November: Singapore v USA (Oman Club Turf 1)
All matches start at 9.30am local time.
