Oman Women secured a thrilling victory against Qatar Women by 18 runs in a closely contested match at Al Amerat on December 7, 2025, during the Oman Women’s T20I Tri-Series.
The game began with a strong opening partnership but eventually saw a challenge in the middle order, before Oman’s bowlers stepped up to defend a modest total, showcasing the excitement of associate-nation women’s cricket.
Winning the toss, Oman chose to bat first. The openers got off to a solid start, putting together 46 runs for the first wicket before the first breakthrough. Nitya Joshi was the first to be dismissed, making 12 runs off 16 balls, leaving Oman at 46/1. Fiza Javed followed soon after, trapped for just 1 run, bringing the score to 48 for 2.
At this crucial moment, Captain Priyanka Mendonca took charge, contributing a steady 20 runs from 24 balls. Her partnership helped push the score to 86 before she was bowled out, allowing for better sequences in the middle overs.
Opener Jayadhanyha Gunasekar took the spotlight, showcasing her composure and skill. With a well-crafted 48 runs off 48 balls, she played a vital role in forming meaningful partnerships amidst the fall of wickets. By the time she was dismissed, Oman had moved to 101/4, setting the stage for a competitive total.
In the lower order, while there wasn’t a huge surge, useful contributions came from Javed Hina, who remained not out on 19 off 16 balls, and Amanda Dcosta, adding 6* runs off 8 balls. Oman’s innings concluded at 129 for 5 in their 20 overs, bolstered by 19 extras.
On Qatar’s side, the bowling attack was disciplined, with Maria Theresa Jacob being a standout bowler, taking 2 wickets for 21 runs in her 4 overs. Khadija Imtiaz also performed well, claiming 2 wickets for just 14 runs in her 3 overs. However, extras, particularly wides, hampered their efforts and allowed Oman to surpass 120 runs.
In their chase for 130, Qatar Women started strong with an impressive 68-run opening partnership between Christeena Jacob and Getrude Candiru. While this early success fueled their hopes, the match turned when Christeena fell for 21. Despite Candiru’s valiant effort, scoring 62 runs off 55 balls and anchoring the innings, wickets began to tumble around her.
As the pressure built, Amanda Dcosta emerged as a match-winner with a remarkable bowling performance of 4 wickets for 20 runs in her 4 overs. Lujaina contributed well too, taking 2 for 15 in her 2 overs, while Priyanka Mendonca added another wicket and executed a crucial run-out at the end of the innings, sealing Oman’s win.
Despite Candiru’s commendable efforts for Qatar, the lack of support from her teammates and Oman’s disciplined bowling proved decisive. Ultimately, while Oman may not have posted a massive total, their ability to form partnerships, rotate the strike, and defend a modest score underscored their growing capabilities.
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