KARACHI, July 15: Adnan Ilyas and S. Vickneswaran played sterling roles as Oman and Malaysia cantered to impressive victories in the opening Pool ‘B’ matches of the Youth Asia Cup on Tuesday.

The Muscat-based Pakistani Adnan produced an awesome all-round performance in Oman’s crushing 225-run triumph against Hong Kong at National Stadium.

Vickneswaran, meanwhile, hit a century as Malaysia overwhelmed Kuwait by eight wickets in a high-scoring encounter at Quaid-i-Azam Cricket Park in Steel Town.

It was a one-man show all the way in the game at NSK. Oman’s total of 296 for five in 50 overs after winning the toss was built around Adnan’s marvellous unbeaten 168. The opener, who had a lucky escape when he had scored only 13, slammed 18 fours and five sixes in his 140-ball innings.

Armed with the new ball, Adnan wreaked havoc with Hong Kong’s batting to return remarkable analysis of six for 16 in 10 overs, four of which were maidens.

Despite starting their innings promisingly with the openers putting on 34, Hong Kong lost seven wickets for just three runs before being all out for 71 in 24 overs. Six of their batsmen failed to open their account.

Off-spinner Imran Younis chipped in with two for 17.

Kuwait, meanwhile, looked like giving Malaysia a good fight after piling up 279 in 49.4 overs. The highlights of their innings were the batting of opener Siam Shibli and Ali Talib.

They shared a third-wicket partnership of 171 with Siam making 82 off 68 deliveries, smashing 13 boundaries. Ali Talib was run out for 115. His 119-ball was spiced with 14 fours and one six.

But Vickneswaran ensured a Malaysian victory with a wonderful contribution of 125 off 131 balls. Joshua Mahadevan laid the foundation with 34 off 45 balls while helping Vickneswaran add 96 for the first wicket.

Vickneswaran, who stroked 20 fours and one six, was associated in another big stand, putting on 116 for the second wicket with Eszrafiq bin Abdul Azis, who remained unbeaten on 71 when the match was decided in the 46th over. Eszrafiq’s 76-ball knock contained 10 hits to the fence.

Summarised scores:

*Oman beat Hong Kong by 225 runs at National Stadium:

OMAN 296-5 in 50 overs (Adnan Ilyas 168 not out, Imran Younis 46, Rustam Ali 29, Mehdi Hasan 22 not out);