Oman vs West Indies, 27th Match, Super Six at Harare, CWC Qualifier, Jul 05 2023 - Ball by Ball Commentary

3:50pm Right. That will be that from us for today. Hope you enjoyed our coverage as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you. Tomorrow is a massive day at the World Cup Qualifier, with the Netherlands taking on Scotland, and the identity of the second qualifier becoming clear by the time that game is done. Until next time, this is me (Shashwat) signing off on behalf of Danyal, Ranjith, Sudeep and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Goodbye and take care!

Shai Hope, West Indies captain: (On this being a perfect performance) It was a little too late, unfortunately. Happy with the lessons we have taken from the past few games. In international cricket, there are no walkovers. There are quality cricketers everywhere and you have to respect it. Today, we played quality cricket throughout. (On the intensity) Past is past and I just asked the guys in the huddle today to enjoy the game - showcase your skills and show what you can do. (On King) He is a joy to watch, I love seeing him play, especially watching from the other end. (On his secret to success) Just trying to be consistent. Aim is to score as many runs for the team and play the situation.

Aqib Ilyas, Oman captain: (On how he would sum up this game) We fell short with the bat. It was a flat track and we felt we needed more than 300. A single run-out can change things and we lacked a few runs. This is a big platform. The players have showed their skills - the batters and bowlers have done well. there was a collective performance from the team. Oman is going to play the Emerging Cup which is going to happen soon in Sri Lanka and then we will play the T20 World Cup qualifiers.

Brandon King, Player of the Match: (On if there is anything he has changed in the recent past) You are constantly working on your game to see where you can improve. More mental for me (the changes I have made). Staying patient, and waiting for my scoring opportunities. Credit must be given to the bowlers for restricting them to that total. (On being the leading run-scorer this year for WI) Just trying to be consistent. Keeping my game simple. (On his approach) The start is the hardest part. You try to stay tight and assess the conditions and then let your natural instincts take over.

3:35pm A comfortable seven-wicket win to hand the West Indies their first win in the Super Six stage. They lost Charles early but Carty, alongside centurion King, did well to rebuild. King then opened up as the overs progressed, targeting both pace and spin, while also rotating strike nicely. Hope was his usual calm self at the other end, with Pooran adding the finishing touches towards the end. This might sound a bit cliché but after their performance today, the West Indies would be forgiven to think what might have been had they mustered a display of this ilk a little earlier in the tournament.

As for Oman, well, they were thoroughly outplayed. Their bowlers did not look penetrative enough and they did not have many runs on the board either. There were a few positives, namely how their middle order resurrected the innings and how Kaleemullah operated with the new ball. But those, at least today, were aberrations.

Just five runs needed now. Can WI finish it off in this over?

Atul: "Till Hope is at the crease, there is no Hope for Oman, WI looking good for a consolation win" -- More than good, I'd say

The West Indies are doing it at a canter and now the question is more around when they will get to their target, rather than if (perhaps has been that way for a while).