Vishnu Vinod smashes ton as Samson’s Kerala clinch T20 series in Oman

Vishnu Vinod scored an unbeaten century as Kerala clinched the T20 series against Oman Chairman's XI with a convincing 43-run win in the third match in Muscat on Friday.

Opener Vishnu smashed 101 not out off just 57 balls, hitting eight sixes and four boundaries at a strike rate of 177.

Captain Saly Samson, elder brother of India ace Sanju, scored 30 and P M Anfal made an unbeaten 32 off 13 to power Kerala to 190/5 in 20 overs.

In reply, Oman were restricted to 147/9 with Akhil Scaria bagging four wickets and P S Jerin claiming three. Kerala secured a thrilling 1-run win in the second match, levelling the series.

The Kerala squad that toured Oman was selected from the recently concluded Kerala Cricket League T20. Saly-led Kochi Blue Tigers won the KCL title.

Seasoned Kerala players Sachin Baby, Salman Nizar, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Rohan Kunnummal and M D Nidheesh were not part of the Oman tour. Sanju, who had a spectacular maiden KCL campaign, is part of India's ongoing Asia Cup campaign in the UAE.

Brief scores: Kerala 190/5 in 20 overs (Vishnu Vinod 101 not out, PM Anfal 32 not out, Saly Samson 30, Shakeel Ahmad 2/32) bt Oman 147/9 in 20 overs (Zikriya Islam 30, Jatinder Singh 27, Aamir Kaleem 25, Akhil Scaria 4/35, PS Jerin 3/23)