By Shahzad Raza
MUSCAT: Oman Cricket (OC) rewarded its cricket team with cash prizes for winning the ODI status for the country from International Cricket Council (ICC) after a successful World Cricket League Division Two campaign in Namibia where Oman ended up as the runner-up.
OC Board members Pankaj Khimji, Kiran Asher, Maqbool Moosa Al Lawati, Dilip Mehta and dad Mohammed Al Balushi gave away the prizes at a colourful felicitation ceremony in the presence of Madhu Jesrani, OC secretary, distinguished guests and members of cricket fraternity of Oman.
The whole 21-mmber squad, including players and support staff, received RO 1000 each from the OC Board. All four ‘player of the match’ award recipients in Namibia — Muhammed Nadeem, Zeeshan Maqsood, Bilal Khan and Sandeep Goud — also received RO 100 cash prizes from OC which also rewarded five players — Aqib Ilyas, Kaleemullah, Jatinder Singh, Ahmed Fayyaz Butt and Suraj Kumar — with a consolation cash prize of RO 50 each.
The team also received a handsome cash award of RO 5250 from Khimji Ramdas Group, which was represented by Anil Khimji and Nailesh Khimji.
Pankaj also announced a cash prize of RO 500 from Khimji Ramdas Group for the ground staff in recognition of their services to the team.
Addressing the gathering, Pankaj said: “This award ceremony is a small token of thanks to our team which has brought such international glory to the country. We are here tonight to acknowledge the fact that we are proud of our team for winning the One-Day International (ODI) status from ICC.”
He said the whole experience of witnessing Oman in action, the joy of watching the outstanding cricket it played in the first four matches and the thrill of celebrations were inexplicable.
“The credit goes to the whole squad, including the team’s support staff, for making this possible. The credit is also due to the ground staff, the office staff, the whole backup system, the corporate entities which have supported us throughout this journey over the last five years. I would also like to thank Oman’s media, coaches and umpires who have been a key part of Oman’s journey and helping it become the number 17th ranked ODI country in the world,” added Pankaj amid roaring applause and cheers.
The awards ceremony culminated with a memorable dinner at Oman Cricket Academy (OCA) terraces.