India avoid Oman upset at Asia Cup with 21-run T20 win

India, the reigning world champion, defeated an obedient Oman team to win the final group match of the Asia Cup by 21 runs and maintain their T20 title.

After taking the first wicket on Friday in Abu Dhabi, India had already qualified for the Super Four stage and placed 188-8.

Oman, who is ranked 20th in the world T20 rankings, produced a strong batting display with a 167-4 record following top hits from Hammad Mirza and Aamir Kaleem, who hit 64.

The left-right batsmen of Kaleem and Mirza attempted to end the chase with some late boundaries that scared India, scoring 93 runs for the second wicket.

In the following over, Mirza was sent back with his pace bowling after Hardik Pandya made a stunning outfield catch to dismiss Kaleem off Harshit Rana.

Arshdeep Singh, the first Indian bowler to surpass the century mark, took the fourth wicket of the innings for his 100th appearance in T20 games.

Sanju Samson, a wicketkeeper-batsman, top-scored with 56 runs before his second-wicket partnership with explosive opener Abhishek Sharma, who made 38 off 14 balls, set the tone for India’s total.

In their first encounter with the T20 World Cup winners, Oman repeatedly delivered blows.

Two wickets were taken by Shah Faisal, Jiten Ramanandi, and Kaleem, a fellow left-arm quick.

After winning a group game, India and Pakistan moved into the Super Four, and they will meet again on Sunday.