In a battle between the two teams relegated from last year's WCL Division Three tournament, Italy have beaten Oman by three wickets at the Padang in Singapore.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Oman lost the dangerous Zeeshan Maqsood - who has a 199 to his name in the ACC Trophy - early on with the score on 6. Run scoring was difficult against some tight Italian bowling throughout the innings, and Oman had only made 151 when Aamir Kaleem was the seventh man out with the score on 151.

That wicket brought Ajay Lalcheta to the crease, and he evidently had been sent with instructions to up the scoring rate. He ended up as the top scorer in the innings with an unbeaten 43 from 35 balls to take Oman to 212-9 from their 50 overs.

Italy's reply started with opening pair Andy Northcote and Dinidu Marage putting on 29, followed by Northcorte and skipper Damian Crowley putting on 50 for the second wicket. Crowley went on to score 62 before he was the fifth man out, but aside from him, Italy were - like Oman - finding runs hard to come by.

It was Vince Pennazza who secured the game for the Italians, smashing an unbeaten 41 from just 24 balls to lead his team to a three wicket win with one over to spare.

A good start to Italy's promotion campaign then, and they will look to continue that when they take on hosts Singapore tomorrow. Oman will look to bounce back when they take on Jersey tomorrow.