Oman’s National Cricket team can create history by qualifying for the T20 Cricket World Cup, say legendary cricket players. Oman Cricket’s 40th Anniversary celebrations has brought cricket superstars Anil Kumble of India and Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka to Oman for the first time.
Speaking to Times of Oman, Kumble, a former Indian captain, and ex captain of Sri Lanka, Jayawardene, said that the current National Cricket Team of Oman is doing very well and can create history by qualifying for the T20 Cricket World Cup.
“Our main purpose of the visit is to congratulate Oman’s National Cricket Team on where they are in the current format after qualifying for the T20 qualifiers coming up and to wish them all the very best. Also, we are here to make them believe that they can go out there and qualify for the T20 World Cup. If they can do that, they will be the first team from Oman to achieve it and they will always be remembered. So, I think they have a moment where they can create history,” former leg-spinner Kumble said.
He added, “In terms of ranking, they are ahead of Oman football in the world and that says a lot about the cricket team. Football has more followers in Oman than cricket, yet they have done really well in the game to be number 15 in the world in the ODI format and 18th ranked in T20. I think this is a great start. If they can qualify, they can probably go to the Cricket World Cup, and that will be a huge inspiration for a lot of youngsters to take up the sport.”
“I think we must not forget that these are amateur cricketers compared to some other teams in the world, and at the same time they have driven on their passion and their love for the game. So, we will try and encourage them to make sure that they have the same passion while going forward and encourage the next generation of Omani cricketers to come through. Therefore, they need to keep in mind that whatever they achieve and do is going to reflect on Oman cricket as a whole,” Jayawardene added.
Speaking about their first visit to Oman, both players said they are extremely excited to be here for the 40 years celebration of Oman Cricket.
“It is wonderful to be here. This is my first visit to Muscat, and although Pankaj Khimji [Senior Oman Cricket Board member] is a very dear friend, he has been fighting for the last 30 years for me to come down here. It is nice to come here on a particularly important milestone for Oman Cricket, as qualifiers for the T20 Cricket World Cup,” Kumble said.
