Malaysia vs Oman Asian Games Preview & Tips - Oman to slump to successive Asian Games defeats

Oman could not get close to Hong Kong's score of 121/8 as they slipped to a damaging 41-run loss at the hands of their opponents. 

The pair have met once before in the T20 game, with Oman securing a 32-run win. 

Malaysia starred with bat and ball in their opening Asian Games outing against Hong Kong as they restricted their opponents to 81/9 before cruising to an eight-wicket win. 

A string of ducks plagued Hong Kong's batting card as they struggled to get going. This was testament to the intensity that Malaysia bowled with as only one of their six bowlers went at above 6.00 per over. In reply, Malaysia lost their openers for six runs apiece, but they were guided home by Virandeep Singh (32 not out) and Muhamad Syahadat (36 not out) in a comfortable win. 

Victory has put them in a very strong spot to get out of the group and means they have their future in their own hands heading into this one. Oman are the underdogs in this game and are in no kind of form, meaning I back Malaysia to notch a crucial win in this game. 

Oman Form

 

Oman did not cover themselves in glory in their opener against Hong Kong as they were beaten by a side that Malaysia easily beat mere days ago. 

Bowling first, they did well to restrict their opponents to 121/8, but while this was barely above a run-per-ball, it always looked like it would be a tall order to chase down. When batting, Oman stumbled, with five of their batters outscored by the extras total (eight). It is a huge issue that they went from 46/6 after 12 overs to 80/6 at the end of their innings, with the side scoring 34 runs in 48 deliveries. 

While it is worth bearing in mind that they were six down by this point, an inability to really get at Hong Kong's bowlers is an issue that I believe will come back to haunt them in this one.