Under the floodlights in Doha, the 1st T20I of the Oman Women’s tour of Qatar 2026 delivered a gripping contest that went down to the final over. In a high-intensity clash between Oman Women and Qatar Women, momentum swung back and forth before Oman Women held their nerve to seal a thrilling 7-run victory, defending 150/6 against Qatar Women’s spirited 143/6 in 20 overs.
Opting to bat first, Oman Women began positively through Jayadhanya Gunasekar and Nitya Joshi, who stitched together a steady opening partnership. Jayadhanya anchored the innings with a composed 37 off 38 balls, striking three boundaries, while Nitya injected early momentum with a fluent 29 off just 20 deliveries at a strike rate of 145.00. Their stand laid a solid platform before Khadija Imtiaz provided the first breakthrough, dismissing Nitya with the score progressing confidently. Maria Jacob then removed Jayadhanya, ensuring Qatar clawed their way back into the contest.
With the innings delicately poised, Fiza Javed stepped up with a crucial unbeaten 30 off 28 balls, rotating strike smartly and finding timely boundaries. She found brief support from Javed Hina (7 off 14), who was dismissed by Shahreen Bahadur after being caught by Christena Jacob. Captain Priyanka Mendonca contributed a quick 8 off 6 before Aysha struck to halt Oman’s acceleration. The middle order struggled to fully capitalise, but Fiza held firm till the end. Oman Women eventually closed their innings at 150/6 in 20 overs, boosted significantly by 25 extras (lb 5, nb 2, w 18), which proved decisive in a tight encounter.
For Qatar Women, Shahreen Bahadur was outstanding, returning figures of 4-0-21-2 with disciplined lines. Khadija Imtiaz claimed 1 for 22 in her three overs, while Aysha (4-0-23-1) controlled the middle phase effectively. Getrude Chandiru (3-0-27-1) chipped in with a key wicket, and Maria Jacob wrapped up her spell with 1 for 26. Although Rizpha Bano Emmanuel conceded 10 runs in her lone over, Qatar’s bowlers collectively kept Oman within reach.
Chasing 151, Qatar Women began steadily through Rizpha Bano Emmanuel and Getrude Chandiru, adding 25 runs for the opening wicket before Rizpha was run out for 13 off 15 balls. Getrude then anchored the innings superbly, crafting a classy 62 not out off 58 deliveries, striking six boundaries and maintaining composure under pressure. She built a crucial 55-run stand with captain Aysha, who played a dynamic knock of 43 from just 29 balls, including three fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 148.27. At 80/2 in 10.1 overs, Qatar looked well on track.
However, Oman’s bowlers clawed back brilliantly. Jayadhanya Gunasekar removed Aysha, triggering a shift in momentum. Christena Jacob (5) fell soon after to Sushanthika Sathiya, and Shahreen Bahadur was dismissed cheaply for 1, caught and bowled by Fiza Javed. The game tightened as Krishneta Sarvanakumar added a brisk 12 off 7 balls but was bowled by Fiza, who finished with an impactful 2 for 30 in three overs despite conceding at 10.00 per over. Maria Jacob’s brief stay ended when Alifiya Sayed claimed her wicket, and although Sameera Khan managed 13 off 13, she became the final wicket at 150’s doorstep, sealing Qatar’s fate at 143/6 in 20 overs.
Oman’s bowling unit displayed collective resilience. Alifiya Sayed (3-0-16-1) was economical, Aysha (4-0-23-1) applied pressure in the middle overs, and Sushanthika Sathiya (4-0-29-1) struck at a crucial juncture. Jayadhanya Gunasekar (4-0-33-1) held her nerve despite being slightly expensive, while Fiza Javed’s two wickets proved match-defining. Afida Afthab (2-0-11-0) and Priyanka Mendonca (4-0-22-0) supported well, ensuring Qatar never broke free completely.
In the end, this Oman Women vs Qatar Women T20I match report highlights a contest defined by partnerships, discipline, and small margins. Getrude Chandiru’s valiant half-century went in vain as Oman Women’s all-round performance secured a memorable win in Doha, taking a 1-0 lead in the series and setting the tone for an exciting tour ahead.
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