INTERVIEW
Follow UsOman have crossed their first barrier at the World Cup Qualifiers – they have made it to the Super Six and are now just one step away from making it to the World Cup in India. But it will not be an easy task.
In a chat with Cricket.com in 2021, head coach Duleep Mendis had mentioned that Oman Cricket has three goals. The first one was to make the Super 12s of the T20 World Cup 2021 – that would take them directly to the next T20 World Cup, finish in the top three of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 – enabling them to play the ongoing Qualifiers and finally make the ODI World Cup in India.
While Oman, under the watchful eyes of Mendis, have managed to achieve a few things they set out to, but if they make the flight to India, it would certainly be their biggest-ever achievement.
For Zeeshan Maqsood, the current captain and a senior statesman, it will certainly be a dream come true.
“We have played T20 World Cup twice. If we play the 50-over World Cup too, it will be a dream come true,” Maqsood said in a chat with Cricket.com.
“Not many would have thought we would ever play the ODI World Cup. The hard work we have put in over the last four years for the Qualifiers, we have to top that. If we win 4-5 matches and make the final, we are through. If we make the Super Six and win three games you go ahead.
“This is a step-by-step, match-by-match process. Qualification for the World Cup will take Oman cricket forward, it could make the locals proud. It will be a good gift for our management who are putting in a lot of hard work, also for the groundsmen, well-wishes, fans and family. If we qualify, we play some of the best teams in the world. I would be speechless.”
Following a terrific all-round performance against Ireland in their first game of the Qualifiers, which saw him claim the player of the match award, Maqsood jumped to the No. 3 spot in the ICC ODI all-rounders rankings. Only Mohammad Nabi and Shakib Al Hasan are ahead of him on that list.
It is a testament to have well he has fared over the last couple of years with both bat and ball, along with the added responsibility of leading the side. Maqsood takes no half-measures when it comes to leading from the front.
“As a leader, when the team does well, you get the credit; when the team loses, you get criticised. When the team does well the happiness that makes up forget all the criticism. As a leader, you need to be involved more. Until you perform, you cannot ask anyone else why they aren't performing. This is a tough period for a captain. I'm getting good support from the team and the management,” Maqsood, who scored 199 against Bhutan in his first game for Oman in 2012, said.
Incidentally, Maqsood’s 199 came during Mendis’ first tour as the head coach of the side. Their bond has gotten stronger since then, and now over a decade later, the two are the force behind Oman’s successful journey – from League Five to now with a chance to play in another World Cup.
“We made our debut for Oman together in 2012. My first tour. It was Mendis' first tour as well. I was in the team as a player. I scored 199. We had a bond right from then,” the 35-year-old said.
“As days passed by...the more time you spend with the coach, they become your family. The bond got stronger. He made me the vice-captain. We got closer. There came a time when he asked me to lead the side. I said Yes. From there, the belief he had in me, the backing he gave me and the freedom he gave me, that was nice.
“It remains the same. There are always ups and downs between the captain and the coach. There are arguments regarding team selection or other things. But the mood is always friendly. It has been a great experience to work with him.”
Oman may not have gotten this far without their pace attack led by Bilal Khan. He was the leading wicket-taker in League 2, where Oman finished second and even in the ongoing Qualifiers, only Wanindu Hasaranga (16) has more wickets than Bilal (9).
If there’s anyone in the batting department who has been consistent over the last 2-3 years, it has been Aqib Ilyas – a classy batter and a more than a handy spinner. Ilyas smashed 801 runs at 61.61 in League 2 and in the Qualifiers has perhaps looked the best batter for the side, having already slammed two fifties in four matches.
Maqsood had earmarked those players to shine in the tournament. “They are key players. On a given day, even anyone bowling at over 140 KMPH, he [Ilyas] can hammer,” the Oman skipper, who came to the country in 2008 from Pakistan, said.
“He can carry the game along. He's not the one to come off after getting a start. If he stays there, it's definitely good for us. If they perform well. Speaking of Bilal, he's a game-changer. When both perform well, the team does well. What Aqib does with the bat, Bilal does it for us with the ball.”
The teams participating in the Super Six can use the DRS, but it was unavailable in the group stages. While this is certainly an upgrade from 2018’s qualifiers, where the absence of DRS proved fatal for Scotland as a couple of poor decisions saw them denied of a chance to make the World Cup in 2019.
Maqsood believes that the ICC should take steps to have DRS available in every tournament right from the beginning. “DRS should be made available for all live games. The teams get fair chances,” Maqsood reckons.
“At times, the umpires are unable to judge properly. In such instances, if you are not able to use DRS, the game could go out of your hands. You also miss out on vital points, which can stop that team from qualifying - as it did for Scotland in 2018. The facilities that can be provided, should be provided. It's straightforward.”
Oman are perhaps just one step away from making the World Cup. It will be an uphill task as they will be up against Zimbabwe, the Netherlands and the West Indies. While Maqsood believes that any team that plays well on that particular day will win, Oman will hope that’s the case on those three days. History beckons for Oman Cricket, and they seem to be up for it.
