Oman moved to the brink of securing ODI status and a spot in ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 with a convincing win over Hong Kong.

Oman are the only side with three victories from three games in the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 in Windhoek after a destructive performance with the ball and a well-timed run chase earned a seven-wicket triumph to keep them top of the table.

With the top four teams at the end of the week in Namibia earning ODI status and more competitive cricket in the newly-formed Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2, only an unlikely set of results over the final two rounds of group matches can deny the Omanis.

Having won the toss and put their opponents in to bat, Oman set the tone with the ball from the off at Wanderers Cricket Ground.

Bilal Khan (4-30) removed dangerman Anshuman Rath – who had made 114 and 85 in his first two innings this week – for just three, while the rest of the top order also went cheaply to leave Hong Kong languishing at 47 for four.

But number five Babar Hayat made a patient 56 to start the rebuilding process as a fifth-wicket stand of 62 alongside Tanwir Afzal (32) and a handy 26 from wicketkeeper Scott McKechnie moved them to 176 for seven.

However, three wickets in one Khan over – including McKechnie being run out – saw Hong Kong all out for 176 with 12 balls remaining.

Oman then expertly crafted their chase as an opening-wicket partnership of 79 between Jatinder Singh and Khawar Ali provided the perfect platform.

Even when Ali was run out for 28 by Ehsan Nawaz it mattered little, as Aqib Ilyas (27) and then Mohammad Nadeem (31 not out) kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Oman skipper Zeeshan Maqsood (14 not out) hit the winning run once Singh holed out for 65 to secure a seven-wicket triumph with 27 balls remaining and keep the Asian outfit in pole position atop the table.

Oman captain, Zeeshan Maqsood said: “We are calm and happy, we need to continue to do the same thing. Looking forward to 2 more games, as we still haven’t completed what we want to. As a captain I still think I can improve, we came to play cricket and give our best, we look forward to next match and securing one of the top four spots.”