Dubai. Oman created history by becoming the second cricketing nation from the Middle East to qualify for a World Cup event. They booked their place in the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 to be played in India next year. In the World T20 qualifier played in Dublin on Wednesday, Oman defeated Namibia by five wickets to clinch a slot in the main tournament.
Speaking to Gulf News, Madhu Jesrani, secretary of Oman Cricket said: “This historic achievement has happened on Oman’s Renaissance Day (which marks the anniversary of the Sultan’s ascension to the throne in 1970) and hence we dedicate our triumph to our ruler Sultan Qaboos and the government which has supported our efforts in a big way.” Incidentally, UAE was the first Gulf country to play in a cricket world cup.
Oman, after restricting Namibia to 148 for 9 reached the target with one over to spare through Jatinder Singh’s 33 runs and Zeeshan Siddiqui’s unbeaten 51 runs.
“We were determined to qualify for the World Cup and hence went about our programme in a very systematic way with everyone working hard towards this objective. Duleep Mendis as coach (former Sri Lankan captain) has been shaping our cricketers for the last two years. Former England Test star Derek Pringle (technical advisor) has been also giving tips to our players. Not only that we worked hard on making sure that fitness of our players is also excellent,” added Jesrani.
Oman began their campaign in the qualifier narrowly losing to Kenya by seven runs in their first match of the tournament, but bounced back against Canada by chasing down 134 in 11.2 overs. They stunned the Netherlands by six wickets thanks to a deadly spell by pacer Munis Ansari who took four wickets for 15 runs. Oman then shocked the strong Afghanistan team with a 40-runs victory. Oman were ably led by Karachi-born Sultan Ahmad, who is also the wicketkeeper of the team.
Siddiqui, who hit a superb unbeaten half century, helped Oman enter the World Cup by reaching Namibia’s target through a six over mid-off. Oman also get the honour of becoming the lowest ranked team to play in a world cup. The achievement will also give them T20 International status for the next four years. Incidentally, Oman had become the 38th associate member of the ICC only last year during the ICC Annual General Body meeting in Melbourne. Kanak G. Khimji, the chairman of Oman Cricket had won the ICC Annual Development Award for Lifetime Service in 2011 for his outstanding contribution to the development of cricket in Oman.
“Qualifying for the World Cup is a big boost for our ongoing efforts. We are creating a cricket academy and in addition to the turf ground and eight other grounds, we will soon have a second turf ground with floodlight facilities. We are also creating an indoor cricket facility. We are proud of our boys who have placed Oman in a World Cup,” said Jesrani.
