As the sun set over Muscat on May 5th, 2025, Oman’s women’s cricket team stood united, celebrating a flawless 3-0 T20I series sweep over Bahrain.
This was more than a series win, it was a statement of intent, a showcase of talent, and a testament to the growing vibrancy of women’s cricket in the Gulf. Under the astute leadership of Priyanka Mendonca, Oman delivered a performance that combined tactical discipline, individual brilliance, and collective hunger.
Tharanga Gajanayake leads Oman with figures of 4/3 (4)
The home side Oman wrapped up Bahrain for 87 with five balls to spare after skipper Priyanka Mendonca won the toss and opted to bowl first. Skipper Priyanka Mendonca (4-0-19-2), Jayadhanyha Gunasekar (3-0-5-2), Sameera Khan (2.1-0-29-2), Amanda D’Costa (4-0-11-1), and Alifiya Sayed (4-0-16-1) were impressive with the ball for Oman. For Bahrain, skipper Deepika Rasangika (24 off 12 balls), Abeera Waris (13 off 7 balls), and Sara Vivek (10 off 24 balls) were the only batters to enter the double digits.
Oman chased down the total with 5 wickets in hand and 38 balls to spare. Jayadhanyha Gunasekar (30 off 26 balls), skipper Priyanka Mendonca (14 off 17 balls), and Trupti Pawde (17 off 15 balls) chipped in with crucial contributions with the bat for their side to get over the line. Tharanga Gajanayake (4-2-4-3) was exceptional with the ball for Bahrain.
Oman outclass Bahrain with big 57-run win
The home side Oman posted a solid total of 162/5 in their quota of 20 overs, courtesy of crucial contributions from the batting unit, in response the Bahrain batting unit just managed 105/5 in their quota of 20 overs, falling 57 runs short of the target. Skipper Priyanka Mendonca (4-0-23-2), Amanda D’Costa (4-0-17-1), and Alifiya Sayed (4-0-16-1) were exceptional with the ball for Oman.
Jayadhanyha Gunasekar standouts in Oman series sweeping win
Oman restricted Bahrain to 92/9 in their quota of 20 overs after Bahrain won the toss and opted to bat first.Skipper Deepika Rasangika (43 off 30 balls) was the stand-out performer with the bat for Bahrain. Sameera Khan (3-0-6-2), Jayadhanyha Gunasekar (4-0-19-2), and skipper Priyanka Mendonca (4-0-22-2), and Amanda Dcosta (4-1-19-1), and Alifiya Sayed (4 0-15-1) were the star performers with the ball for Oman. The home side eventually chased down the total with five wickets in hand and 31 balls to spare. Jayadhanyha Gunasekar (36 off 35 balls) top-scored with the bat for Oman.
The Mandonca Effect to Oman’s success
At the heart of Oman’s success was skipper Priyanka Mendonca, whose calm yet assertive leadership shaped the team’s consistent performances. Mendonca’s tactical decisions, whether opting to bowl first in the opening match or defending a sizable total in the second-proved decisive. Her all-round contributions, particularly in the second T20I, where she scored a vital 38 runs and picked up 2 wickets, earned her the Player of the Match and inspired her teammates to elevate their game.
Mendonca’s ability to marshal her bowling attack effectively and back young players like Jayadhanyha Gunasekar was key to Oman’s dominance. Her leadership on and off the field helped maintain team morale and focus throughout the series. In the 1st T20I, Oman’s disciplined bowling, spearheaded by Gunasekar, limited Bahrain to a modest 87. Gunasekar’s steady batting ensured a smooth chase.
Oman posted a commanding 163 in the 2nd T20I, with Mendonca’s all-round heroics leading the way. Bahrain struggled to keep up, falling short by 57 runs. The home side, chasing a target of 93 in the 3rd T20I, overcame early wickets, thanks to Gunasekar’s composed innings and effective bowling, sealing the series sweep. Each match featured moments where individual brilliance and team strategy combined to tilt the balance in Oman’s favour.
All-rounder Jayadhanyha Gunasekar stars for Oman
Gunasekar emerged as the series’ standout performer, delivering match-winning contributions with both bat and ball. Her Player of the Match performances in the first and third T20Is were pivotal. In the first match, Gunasekar’s economical bowling (3 overs, 5 runs, 2 wickets) restricted Bahrain to 87, while her steady 30 runs helped Oman chase down the target. In the final game, she again combined effective bowling (4 overs, 19 runs, 2 wickets) with a composed 36 runs to guide Oman home.
Jayadhanyha Gunasekar finished the series as Oman’s leading run-scorer with 84 runs at an average of 28 and a strike rate of 97.67, alongside 4 crucial wickets. Her all-round impact was vital in turning tight moments in Oman’s favour.
Rasangika and Tharanga Gajanayake a silver lining for Bahrain
Despite the series loss, Bahrain showed grit and determination, led by captain Deepika Rasangika. Rasangika topped the series run charts with 102 runs at an impressive strike rate of 137.83 and an average of 34, often anchoring Bahrain’s innings under pressure. Her fighting spirit was a highlight for Bahrain, providing hope and inspiration for her team.
On the bowling front, Tharanga Gajanayake was Bahrain’s most effective bowler, claiming 4 wickets at an average of 14.75 and maintaining a tight economy rate of 4.91. Her ability to break partnerships kept Bahrain competitive in all three matches.
