ICC World T20 2016 qualifiers: Oman vs Netherlands

Updated: 11 March 2016 16:54 IST - Published: 11 March 2016 14:05 IST

It is a shame we didn't have any cricket to write about, but for now, that's it from me. Take care and stay out of the rain.

Netherlands have been knocked out as a result and things look bleak for not just the second game of the day but also both games on Sunday.

IT'S OFFICIAL. The match has been CALLED OFF.

Judging by the way, the umpires had trouble walking out to the middle because of all the covers and the water on them, it looks as though everyone is just waiting for the game to be called. The official word is that if the covers aren't off in 10 minutes, the game will be called off.

The umpires are taking a forlorn walk over the covers. The ground staff have been incredibly busy but even they can only do so much when it rains like it has.

Got a little picture time with the Giants of Oman today. Lovely bunch of guys. pic.twitter.com/U0YNkZBi74
— ian bishop (@irbishi) March 11, 2016

While I have no intentions of being a buzzkill and risk the wrath of Dutch and Irish fans, if both games are washed out day, Ireland and Netherlands will both be knocked out with the final game between Bangladesh and Oman being a knockout to see who makes it to the Super-10.

It is still raining and if the rain doesn't stop and the covers aren't off by 16:48, the game can be called off.

The rain doesn't look like it is going to relent. THE WAIT CONTINUES.

The next update will be at 16:00.

Prospects look grim as the entire ground is under covers.

If we don't start before 15:30, we will start losing overs. And the latest we can start is 5.48pm. There is also a second game at the same ground that is supposed to start at 19:30. Things aren't looking good so far.

In case any of you playing the World T20 fantasy are wondering whether the game will happen or not and are nervously fretting because you already made your substitutions, it looks like the rain will continue to come and go throughout the day and prospects for uninterrupted play look bleak.

Bad news. The covers are back on. So play won't start on time.

Good news once more is that play will start on time at 15:00 IST.

Netherlands: Stephan Myburgh, Wesley Barresi (WK), Ben Cooper, Tom Cooper, Peter Borren (C), Roelof van der Merwe, Mudassar Bukhari, Pieter Seelaar, Ahsan Malik, Timm van der Gugten, Paul van Meekeren

Oman: Zeeshan Maqsood, Khawar Ali, Adnan Ilyas, Aamir Kaleem, Sultan Ahmed(WK & C), Rajeshkumar Ranpura, Mehran Khan, Amir Ali, Ajay Lalcheta, Munis Ansari, Bilal Khan

Netherlands captain Peter Borren: "We would have preferred to bowl, nothing to do with the wicket, but because of the weather. I don't think we have a lot of choice. This is a must-win game for us. We were far from our best, but we can be an exciting team when we play with freedom."

Oman captain Sultan Ahmed: "There's a bit of drizzle, so the conditions will be good for the pacers."

Oman have won the toss and elect to bowl first.

The lights are on, it looks gloomy and the weather forecast isn't great but the two captains walk out for the toss.

The official word is that toss has been delayed by a wet outfield.

It looks like the covers are coming off and things are brighter than they have been for a while now. Let's hope it stays this way and we get a game soon.

The toss will be delayed and I will keep you updated on any good news from the ground. For now, it is the Netherlands who are out on the ground showing a little rain can't dampen their spirits as they are out for their warm-ups.

The covers, which encompassed the whole ground an hour before the game, was being peeled off but just then another sharp shower hits the ground. I'm afraid it's not great news. And we will have to wait to see when the rain stops and IF we will get any play today with more rains forecast for later.

In case you were wondering that is indeed a Tweet from Netherlands captain Peter Borren from earlier in the day.

Rain, rain go away! We have 10% of our 2016 matches to play today! #pleaseclear #bigday
— Peter Borren (@dutchiepdb) March 11, 2016

I'm afraid it is not good news from Dharamsala as dark clouds are hovering and there has been a bit of rain. Let us hope that is just a shower that passes us before too long.

Before the start of the qualifiers, if you had told anyone that the game between Oman and Netherlands will be a must-win game to ensure qualification, people would have believed you. Had you said that it will be for Oman and not Netherlands, you would have received bemused looks from everyone. But that is where we find ourselves today as Oman take on Netherlands. Fresh from their win over Ireland, Oman will be looking to make it two in two and take qualification into the decider while Netherlands, giant-killers themselves will be looking to get a win to stay alive.