Oman, Scotland complete T20 World Cup line-up

Oman defeated Hong Kong by 12 runs on Wednesday in a do-or-die T20 World Cup qualifier to reach the finals in Australia along with Scotland who thrashed United Arab Emirates by 90 runs.

UAE's Rameez Shahzad took a stunning outfield catch reminiscent of the effort by Ben Stokes in the 50-over World Cup earlier this year to dismiss Scotland's top batsman George Munsey, but it was not enough to inspire the home side to victory as they crashed out.

Oman and Scotland join Namibia, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and Ireland in qualifying for the men's T20 World Cup next october, but the trophy for the qualifying tournament is still up for grabs. 

Chasing 135 to win, Hong Kong collapsed to 5-18 with left-arm seamer Bilal Khan taking three of the wickets on his way to match figures of 4-23.

Scott McKechnie, who top scored with 44 off 46 balls, helped steady the ship with a partnership of 52 for the sixth wicket with Haroon Arshad (20) but Hong Kong struggled to get the ball away in the tough, heavy conditions and finished on 9-122.

Oman had also found it hard going, slipping to 6-42 by the end of the ninth over.

However, they were indebted to opener Jatinder Singh, who carried his bat for 67 with seven boundaries and a six, as well as tailenders Aamir Kaleem (17) and Naseem Khushi (26 off just nine balls) to take them to a defendable target.

Earlier, George Munsey belted 65 as Scotland made 198 before UAE were all out for 108, with nine balls left.

Mark Watt and Safyaan Sharif took three wickets for the Scots. 

Scotland had struggled in group play and finished only fourth in their seven-team group.

"Not gone our way on this trip but nice to get over the line in the must-win game," said opening batsman Munsey.

Hosts UAE, whose squad had been diminished by the suspension of four players after corruption investigations, only narrowly missed an automatic World Cup berth when they finished third in their group on net run rate.

"We turned up when we were pushed into a corner," said captain Ahmed Raza.

Scotland won the toss, batted first and quickly went on the attack. Skipper Kyle Coetzer hit two fours in the second over. Munsey struck two reverse sweep sixes and a four in the third.

By the time Coetzer was out for 34 in the 12th over, Scotland were on 87. The assault continued as the new batsman, Michael Leask smashed a six off the second ball he faced.

Munsey made 65, hitting five of Scotland's nine sixes.

"It's always nice to score runs for the boys as a collective batting unit I thought we were brilliant," Munsey said. 

UAE lost their first wicket with the score on four in the first over.

Their best hope went in the eighth over when top scorer Rameez Shahzad went for a brisk 34 in the ninth over, caught by Munsey off Mark Watt.

Fourteen associate nations are competing at the World T20 Qualifier for the final six spots in the 'First Round' of next year's T20 World Cup in Australia. The first round will also feature Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and will be played in Geelong and Hobart.

Hosts Australia and other top nations such as India and England are already assured a spot in the 'Super 12' stage that will feature two groups of six before the knockout stages.

Australia have been placed in the Super 12's Group 1 along with Pakistan, New Zealand and the West Indies. India, England, South Africa and Afghanistan are in Group 2.

Both groups will be joined by two teams out of the tournament's first round.

Tickets for both the men's and women's tournaments can be purchased at the official ICC T20 World Cup website, t20worldcup.com