Unfortunately, we didn't tick all three boxes: Oman's Ayaan Khan

Oman had their moments against Australia in Match 10 of the 2024 T20 World Cup but didn’t do enough to cause an upset. In the first innings, Oman managed to reduce Australia to 50/3 in 8.3 overs but then allowed David Warner (51-ball 56) and Marcus Stoinis (36-ball 67*) to build a 102-run stand. Chasing 164, Oman lost six wickets with just 57 runs on the board and eventually lost the game by 39 runs.

“We always talk about positives and that is what we are trying to do to play some aggressive cricket. Unfortunately, we didn't tick all three boxes tonight. Especially in a T20 game, if you tick all three boxes you will be on the winning side,” said Ayaan Khan, who scored 36 off 30 deliveries before getting out to Adam Zampa. 

“Like if we are going to tick the box in the power play, in the middle overs, in the last overs, if we tick boxes one by one - so the result should be different, but Australia played really very well, they bowl on the targets, they didn't panic on the field with the bat. If one of us in the middle overs played an inning like him (Stoinis), maybe we'd be on the winning side.”

Australia scored above par on a slow Kensington Oval surface but Ayaan and his team were still confident of achieving the target. “We have a long batting side, till the ninth, as you can see, the ninth batsman and the eighth one as well, they're going to hit the ball easily. But what happened is when the partnership - we are having momentum, we are making a partnership, then suddenly a wicket is down. We need to come one step back and then again start from zero.”

Talking about playing a team like Australia, Ayaan said: “You are playing against the champions, champion side, so you always have a chance to perform well and make yourself in front of the world. It's a challenge that we are playing against them but we play very aggressive and positive cricket in the middle. Of course, after the match, we're going to talk to them and want some good points and experience for the upcoming matches.”

The surface got slower and slower in the second innings but Ayaan refused to admit that bowling first was the wrong decision. “The ball in the second innings was a bit sticky. And the spinners also grip sometimes, the ball was getting low. Zampa's ball, two-three balls to me was too much low and skiddy. And when I played Maxwell, one or two balls, maybe the wicket holds the ball and it spins. So, it is still a bit difficult, but compared to the previous match it's better. 

“Even on the fresh wicket, today is a sunny day and it didn't rain, so we thought there should be a little bit moist and a rough wicket as well. The ball will spin a lot. Because only in one day the wicket will not change. We know there should be a little bit of improvement. The ball will come on the bat properly. We were just hoping that if we get to bowl first, we would restrict them early.”

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