Oman skipper Zeeshan Maqsood wins toss, opts to field in T20 World Cup 2021 opener

Oman skipper Zeeshan Maqsood has won the toss and opted to field in the opening match of the T20 World Cup 2021. The national team will be eager to finish in the top two spots from the group and advance into the next stage, where they will take on the big teams. Oman are battling it out against Papua New Guinea who enjoy the presence of legendary New Zealand cricketer Ross Taylor as their mentor.

“The pitch looks dry and we have spin bowlers with us”

Zeeshan opted to field after taking into account the dry pitch that the venue Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1), Al Amerat has to offer.

“We’ll bowl first. The pitch looks dry and we have spin bowlers with us. We have prepared really well and are looking to give our best and qualify for the next round. The boys are in good nick,” he stated as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Opposition skipper Asaad Vala termed the wicket as a really good one, where he would have looked to bowl as well.

“It looks like a really good wicket. I would have bowled first as well. The preparation has been good and we need to use our flair and give everything we have got. We want to play the PNG way, which you hopefully will see soon. We have a good all-round team,” said Vala.

Anjum Chopra stated that the conditions were suitable for the batters, with the grass taken off. She termed 160-170 as a decent score considering the conditions.

“The approach is going to be different”

Asaad sounded really confident going into the encounter, stating that the players would certainly not be tensed or nervous about the clash.

“Most people would say it’s just another game, but it’s not to us, it’s our first ever World Cup game, World Cup tournament, (having) qualified for the first World Cup. The approach is going to be different. We are a couple of days away from playing our first World Cup match. The boys are looking pumped up for the game on Sunday. During this pandemic, it will mean a lot for people back home. We are trying to put a smile on their faces,” he stated as quoted by ICC.

Oman coach Duleep Mendis believes his players are comparatively stronger mentally, which will definitely be quite useful.

“Everything is set now. We have to do well to go forward, but they have the ability to do so. One thing I felt was lacking was the mental side. I worked on that, and to a certain extent I think it has worked. We have put them through a lot of exercises and they have come out of them. Still when we play against a Test nation I feel they are not hard enough. But it will come,” he stated.

Lineups:

Papua New Guinea (Playing XI): Tony Ura, Assad Vala(c), Charles Amini, Lega Siaka, Norman Vanua, Sese Bau, Simon Atai, Kiplin Doriga(w), Nosaina Pokana, Damien Ravu, Kabua Morea.

Oman (Playing XI): Jatinder Singh, Khawar Ali, Aqib Ilyas, Zeeshan Maqsood(c), Naseem Khushi(w), Prajapathi, Mohammad Nadeem, Ayan Khan, Sandeep Goud, Kaleemullah, Bilal Khan.