(Cricket news) After both Oman and Bangladesh lost their opening group games, there was all to play for at the Al Amerat Stadium in Muscat in a clash that saw the hosts fall short against The Tigers despite tremendous home support from the stands. Bangladesh opener Mohammad Naim, who has been recalled by his national side scored 64 runs off 50 balls with lady luck on his side after the 22 year old was dropped twice. His partnership with Shakib Al Hasan yielded 77 runs that greatly contributed to Bangladesh’s overall score of 153 runs despite many late wickets conceded.

Opener Liton Das had an early escape when the 27 year old was dropped by Kashyap Prajapati but Bilal Khan eventually took his wicket with an lbw. At the end of the six-over powerplay, the hosts had restricted Bangladesh to 29-2 and things seemed to be going according to plan for Oman. However, Singh squandered an opportunity to take Mohammad Naim’s wicket and Prajapati failed to take a golden opportunity once again and spared Naim who went on to score 64 runs. Oman wrestled with momentum but eventually got the wicket of Shakib with a superb run out by Aaqib Ilyas and the hosts took seven wickets for the final 41 runs.

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Omani cricketer Jatinder Singh, who is also the tournament’s leading run scorer at the moment put up a valiant fight with 40 runs but as wickets continued to fall at the other end, the hosts fell short of their target with no partnership exceeding 34 runs. Mustafizur Rahman took the wicket of Aaqib Ilyas with an inswinger but had an expensive over that consisted of five wides as Prajapati also hit a six in that 11 ball over. Singh, who looked like the only ray of light for Oman was eventually dismissed for 40 runs from 33 balls by Liton Das.

Some impressive middle over bowling by Bangladesh, particularly from Mahedi Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin saw Oman struggling to get runs on the board with the second 50 taking 52 balls while the first only took 44. Shakib Al Hasan took two wickets in two balls as Oman finished 26 runs short of their target with blame largely on the poor fielding display by the hosts.

England will next face New Zealand in their final warm-up game on Wednesday while Ireland will face Sri Lanka and Namibia will take on Netherlands. Scotland can secure qualification with a win over Oman on Thursday while Bangladesh will take on Papua New Guinea.