| World Cup Qualifier Group B, Bulawayo, Ireland v Oman |
| Ireland 281-7 (50 overs): Dockrell 91*, Tector 52, Tucker 26; B Khan 2-64, Butt 2-65 |
| Oman 285-5 (48.1 overs): Prajapati 72, Maqsood 59, Ilyas 52; Little 2-47, Adair 2-47 |
| Oman won by five wickets |
| Scorecard |
Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup later this year suffered an early blow with a five-wicket defeat by Oman in their opening qualifying game.
After losing the toss, Ireland made 281-7 off their 50 overs, George Dockrell ending unbeaten on 91, and Harry Tector scoring 52 in Zimbabwe.
Oman reached 285-5 in reply with 11 balls to spare, Kashyap Prajapati top-scoring with 72.
Ireland face Scotland in their next Group B game in Bulawayo on Wednesday.
That is followed by fixtures against Sri Lanka on Sunday and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, with the top three from both groups advancing to a Super Six stage.
The top two from the 10-team tournament will progress to the World Cup in India later this year.
Ireland failed to qualify for the 2019 World Cup and they are the fourth highest ranked team in the competition.
Oman’s win was their first over Ireland in one-day internationals and saw them complete their highest ever successful run chase in the format.
Andy McBrine (20) and Paul Stirling (23) put on an opening partnership of 51, before the the latter was dismissed in the ninth over.
Tector’s half-century kept Ireland on track but it was Dockrell’s score off just 89 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, which helped them reach their total.
Jatinder Singh fell early to Adair for just a single but 52 from Aaqib Ilyas provided support for opener Prajapati.
Skipper Zeeshan Maqsood chipped in with 59 and Mohammad Nadeem contributed 46 not out as Oman ran out relatively comfortable victors.
