MUSCAT: Playing on its own turf, Oman feels it can go through to the Super 12 phase of the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup after doing well in Group B of the Round 1 it will co-host along with UAE in October.

After its experience of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016 First Round in India, Oman is targeting a top-two spot to enter the Super 12 stage in this year’s edition which is officially hosted by BCCI. 

Buoyed by playing games on home soil at the Al Amerat facility, Oman will host Bangladesh, Scotland and Papua New Guinea in an open Group B, looking to go one better than its one-victory effort five years ago.

With confidence running high in the team, Oman aims to go deep in this year’s tournament.

“We are quite confident of making it to the Super 12. We have defeated both Scotland and PNG in the past and there is no reason to believe we cannot do it again. Although you can’t take any side lightly in a T20 game, playing on our own soil certainly adds to our confidence,” said Oman coach Duleep Mendis. 

Oman has practice games planned against top teams including India’s domestic giants Mumbai, which is due to arrive here for a string of T20 and 50-over games.

The occasion is certainly not lost on right-hand batter Aqib Ilyas, who has struck two centuries and six fifties in his international career thus far. Likely to play an important part in Oman’s campaign, the middle-order player was not a member of their 2016 campaign, though understands the scale of the tournament, especially as an opportunity for the game’s emerging stars to stand up.

“The T20 World Cup is one of the most popular sporting events taking place on the planet. It’s one of the best platforms for all Associate players and Associate teams to compete against the best playing nations,” said Aqib.

Co-host Oman welcomes visitors

Oman’s legendary hospitality will be on display as teams prepare to arrive in October. 

“We welcome all the visitors to our country. It will be our pleasure to have you here. We will make sure that you like our hospitality,” said Aqib.

On paper, Bangladesh will provide Oman with the biggest test in their group, though the collective experience of Scotland and Papua New Guinea’s heavy T20 focus means Oman’s bid to progress, even in home conditions, will be no easy task in the eyes of Aqib.

“All the teams are really competitive and they will try to give their best to secure their spot (in the Super 12 phase).”

Building from the last campaign and after a solid qualification campaign, coach Mendis is once again at the helm, keeping a tight ship alongside a unified team of support staff. As the mercury climbs during the day in Muscat, Oman’s preparation at home has been physically demanding, though Ilyas and the team are not using the conditions as an excuse.

“We’re really committed under the coaching of Duleep Mendis. The boys are working really hard as the weather is not supportive, it’s really hot, around 45 degrees,” he added.

Oman was the last team to enter the tournament, beating Hong Kong by 12 runs in the playoff stages of the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019.

Round 1 

Group A: Sri Lanka, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Namibia
Group B: Bangladesh, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, and Oman

(Top two teams from each group advance to Super 12).17 Oct: Oman v Papua New Guinea, Muscat (2 pm); Bangladesh v Scotland, Muscat (6 pm)
18 Oct: Ireland v Netherlands, Abu Dhabi (2 pm); Sri Lanka v Namibia, Abu Dhabi (6 pm)
19 Oct: Scotland v Papua New Guinea, Muscat (2 pm); Oman v Bangladesh, Muscat (6 pm)
20 Oct: Namibia v Netherlands, Abu Dhabi (2 pm); Sri Lanka v Ireland, Abu Dhabi (6 pm)
21 Oct: Bangladesh v Papua New Guinea, Muscat (2 pm); Oman v Scotland, Muscat (6 pm)
22 Oct: Namibia v Ireland, Sharjah (2 pm); Sri Lanka v Netherlands, Sharjah (6 pm).