Oman all-rounder Aqib Ilyas dashes Nepal's hopes even as local fans win his heart

Vice-captain picks up four wickets and scores unbeaten century in WCL2 match on Sunday

Oman's Aqib Ilyas celebrates his century against Nepal at the Tribhuvan University on Sunday. Subas Humagain for The National

Oman's Aqib Ilyas scored an unbeaten century against Nepal. Subas Humagain for The National

Bilal Khan of Oman bowls during the World Cup League two match against Nepal. Subas Humagain for The National

Oman celebrate the fall of a wicket during the World Cup League Two match against Nepal. Subas Humagain for The National

Nepal's captain Gyanendra Malla during the World Cup League Two match against Oman at the Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu on Sunday. Subas Humagain for The National

Nepal captain Gyanendra Malla celebrates his half-century against Oman on Sunday. Subas Humagain for The National

Oman's Mohammad Nadeem celebrates a wicket against Nepal at the Tribhuvan University. Subas Humagain for The National

Kushal Malla of Nepal celebrates a wicket during the World Cup League Two match at Tribhuvan University. Subas Humagain for The National

Oman celebrate after taking a wicket against Nepal. Subas Humagain for The National

Aqib Ilyas labelled Nepal’s cricket supporters “the best thing I have ever seen in my life”, despite playing the central role in defeating their team.

The Oman vice-captain took four wickets then scored his maiden one-day international century (109 not out)  to guide his side to an eight-wicket win in Cricket World Cup League Two in Kathmandu. Nepal were restricted to 249-8, a total that was overhauled with nearly three overs to spare.

When he reached three figures, instead of raising his bat towards his teammates in the away team dressing room, as is convention, he faced the crowds massed on the banks of the Tribhuvan University ground.

The opposition supporters celebrated his achievement like he was one of their own.

When he then knelt in prayer, they roared even more vociferously. He stood up and applauded their response.

“We have never seen such an amazing crowd anywhere,” Ilyas said.

“That is the best thing I have ever seen in my life. The way they support their team, but then if you do well they support you, that is the best thing.

“For my team, I always do this [raise his bat in appreciation] but I am not sure when I will be back to Nepal, so I wanted to do this for them.”

The warmth with which the opposition players have been received in this series is in contrast to the heavy security presence at these matches.

Again, hundreds of police were on duty for this fixture, but they had no call for their riot shields and body armour. The only hint of unrest came from a small group of supporters who had stayed on to laud the Oman side at the end of the match.

Ilyas went to them, and threw his sleeveless Oman sweater over the fence to them, as a gesture of thanks. That sparked a brief kerfuffle, as a few smiling fans vied for the keepsake.

Ilyas had certainly entertained the thousands in attendance. First, he took four wickets, bowling leg-spin to Nepal’s right-handed batsman, then off-spin to the left-handers.

He suffered injury during the course of Nepal’s innings of 249, and did not expect to bat.

He was talked into doing so by his senior colleagues, with spectacular results.

He put on an unbroken 167 with his captain Zeeshan Maqsood, who made 68 not out, as Oman chased what had appeared a daunting target on a worn, turning pitch, with just two wickets lost.

“It feels amazing, the best feeling a batsman can have,” said Ilyas, who ended 109 not out.

“To pick up four wickets, get injured, then come back and your coach and staff say you have to go and score a century for your team – to go out and get a century was the best feeling you can ever have.”

Victory sent Oman top of the CWCL2 table above United States, who they face at the same ground on Tuesday.

Nepal and USA will play the final match of the series a day later.

Nepal's coach Umesh Patwal is not downcast by the loss to Oman.

“Sometimes you get those things going for you, sometimes they don’t,” Patwal said.

“This was a good learning experience for all the Nepali players. They don’t get to play much 50-over cricket, so this is amazing for them.”