Monday 25 / November / 2024
MUSCAT: Oman's cricketing community is abuzz following a riveting bilateral T20 series against Afghanistan A, where the national team displayed their determination and skill, wrapping up the series with a 1-1 draw at the Oman Cricket Academy ground in Al Amerat recently.
Head coach Duleep Mendis praised his players for their spirited efforts against such a formidable opponent, emphasising that these experiences are invaluable for their growth.
“Playing against stronger teams like Afghanistan A is crucial. Our boys fought hard, and it was uplifting to see them rise to the occasion,” Mendis remarked during his recent evaluation of the team's performances.
The two T20 matches, played last week, provided Oman with a vital opportunity to assess their capabilities ahead of the ACC T20 Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, set to kick off at the Oman Cricket Academy on October 18.
The tournament will feature A teams from five Asian cricketing powerhouses - defending champions Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan - alongside national teams from the UAE, Hong Kong, and the hosts, Oman.
Oman shocked Afghanistan A (also known as Afghan Abdalyan) in the first T20 match, clinching victory by seven wickets after bowling out the visitors for 143 runs. Rafiullah emerged as the star with a four-wicket haul, while Shoaib Khan’s explosive 64 runs off 43 balls led the chase in just 18.3 overs, supported by Jatinder Singh’s crucial contribution of 30 runs.
In the keenly contested second match, Oman nearly pulled off another upset, chasing down Afghanistan A’s target of 190. Zubairullah Akbari’s 56 and quick-fire knocks from Karim Janat and Shahidullah Kamal propelled Afghanistan to 190/6. Although Oman’s Vinayak Shukla struck 74 runs and Ayaan Khan added 46, the hosts fell just short, finishing at 184/6.
“We displayed a commendable fighting spirit against a strong team,” Mendis commented after the matches. “Such performances not only boost player morale but also allow our technical staff to identify areas for improvement.”
'Batters disappointed in WCL 2'
While reflecting on the recent success, Mendis also acknowledged the team's disappointing performances in the World Cricket League (WCL) 2, where they currently find themselves in sixth position out of eight teams.
“We have not yet performed to our potential in the WCL,” he admitted. Oman’s campaign began in Scotland, facing harsh weather and struggling to adapt to hybrid wickets, which were new to them.
“It’s been a learning curve,” Mendis said. “We need to enhance our batting consistency. Adverse conditions have not helped our progress, but we must adapt and find our rhythm.”
With only two wins from eight matches and six points in total, Oman faces a tough road ahead, having secured victories only against Namibia and Nepal.
Oman now compete in a T20 tri-series, which began on Saturday, involving Hong Kong and Afghanistan A that will precede the Emerging Teams Asia Cup.
Mendis sees the upcoming matches as vital preparation. “These contests will provide significant exposure for our boys, allowing us to put forth our strongest team for the tournament. We are proud to host this event, showcasing emerging talent and appreciating the support from the Oman Cricket Board and the ACC,” he said.
With crucial WCL 2 fixtures approaching, Oman aims to leverage home advantage against Namibia and Nepal in November, as well as a tri-series in January before traveling to the USA.
As they look to climb the WCL 2 table - currently led by Canada with 16 points (12 games) - Mendis stays optimistic, reiterating the importance of facing stronger teams to cultivate a competitive spirit.
USA are second with 12 points from 8 matches while Netherlands are third with 12 from similar number of games and Namibia are next with 10 from 12 games. Scotland are ahead of Oman with nine points (seven games) and Oman have six (eight matches). Nepal have three points from eight matches and UAE are at the bottom with just two points from seven games.
As the Emerging Teams Asia Cup looms, Mendis concluded, “We are on a journey of development, and with each match, we are getting closer to where we want to be.”
His unwavering belief in the potential of Oman cricket reflects the resilience that defines the team’s ethos.
