That's it from our coverage of this Group B encounter between England and Oman. Ninaad Dixit here signing off on behalf of my co-commentator AkshayaKrishna Polya and scorer/analyst Bishal Mandal. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world.
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY IN MEN'S T20 WORLD CUPS (BY BALLS REMAINING):
101 Balls - England v Oman at Antigua, TODAY*
90 Balls - Sri Lanka v Netherlands at Chattogram, 2014
86 Balls - Australia v Namibia at Antigua, 2014
82 Balls - Australia v Bangladesh at Dubai, 2021
81 Balls - India v Scotland at Dubai, 2021
Jos Buttler (England Captain): "I thought the tone was set really well by the bowlers who picked up the early wickets. Job done today and we've got another big game in two day's time.
They bowled brilliantly, Topley with his height and Jofra with the high release as well. They are challenging bowlers and did well with their line and length. We didn't expect the wicket to play like that, looked a really good surface but Adil bowled really well.
We have to win games, need to take chances to increase the net run rate. We were successful today. We know lots is going on in the dressing room, we are confident. Another big game coming up against Namibia. We can only focus on ourselves."
Aqib Ilyas Sulehri (Oman Captain):"Yeah, nothing much to say. It is visible, we couldn't get a score. The top-order failed. The bowlers can't do anything with only 40 runs on the board.
The thing is we don't get to face bowlers who bowl at 150-plus as associate nations. We were getting comfortable but they were hitting good areas and if you get to face such bowlers once in a while then it is difficult.
The ball I got out to, it was in the right area. We were trying to rotate the strike but the ball was carrying to the fielders. Unfortunately, bad shot selection or just that they bowled in good areas.
With only 40 runs, I am happy with the way our bowlers bowled. They (England) also had to chase net run-rate.
I would say if we would have ended the tournament on a good note, it would be nice. But it is nice we got to learn a lot. When we meet these players outside, they are helpful. When you come across such players, legends, you understand you can't be satisfied with the results and keep working hard every day."
INSTANCES OF FIRST 2 LEGAL BALLS OF A T20I INNINGS HIT FOR SIXES:
Awais Ahmed for Spain v Isle of Man at Cartagena, 2023
Phil Salt for England v Oman at Antigua, TODAY*
Adil Rashid (Player of the match): "Yeah, definitely, I thought we bowled exceptionally well up front. Woody, Joff really set it up to bowl them out for 47.
It is always different to asses the pitches because you don't really know how much it is spinning. When you get a wicket first ball, it sets the tone. I try to adjust in the first over or so, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It was turning a lot so I had to keep the ball away from outside leg with so much turn.
I was looking for it, if I had got it great, if I didn't, it was fine (when asked about the opportunity he had for a five-wicket haul).
Definitely from the start, the plan was to win this and now we have to focus on Namibia. Our job is to do well and then see how it goes."
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: ADIL RASHID
With this huge win, England's (+3.08) net run rate goes over Scotland (+2.16).
2:12 AM IST, 4:42 PM Local Time: England keep their hopes alive to move to the next stage with a massive 8-wicket win against Oman in a game that lasted a little over 15 overs.
England skipper Jos Buttler elected to bowl first hoping to have a target in front. Adil Rashid (4/11), Jofra Archer and Mark Wood (both 3/12) were enough to bundle Oman out for 47 in 13.2 overs with only Shoaib Khan (11) moving into double digits.
Phil Salt started off the chase with a couple of maximums upfront but was bowled by Bilal Khan on the third delivery. Will Jacks hit a boundary in his brief knock of 5 before he was taken by Kashyap Prajapati at point off Kaleemullah's bowling.
Jonny Bairstow joined his skipper at the crease starting off with a boundary. Buttler fetched 22 runs off the 3rd over smashing 4 fours and a biggie in his unbeaten knock of 24 in 8 deliveries. With just 2 runs needed in 17 overs, Jonny B bludgeoned his second ball towards the fence as well to help England register the big win.
Stay tuned as we return with the post match festivities.