Wednesday 30 / October / 2024
North Sound, Antigua: Oman coach Duleep Mendis is a man of few words outside the dressing room. A widely travelled cricketer, the Sri Lankan great has been at the helm of Oman team for more than a decade.
He is leading Oman to the third T20 World Cup, not only a significant personal milestone but also a record for the national team. In the previous two T20 World Cups in India (2016) and Oman-UAE (2021), Oman tasted success with one win each in both the editions. Oman upset Test-playing nation Ireland in the Indian city of Dharamshala and in 2021, they defeated Papua New Guinea (PNG) at home.
Both the victories were in the opening matches of the respective editions that was played in a different format, with a preliminary round in place. The 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA, is being played in a different format with 20 teams being featured in the main tournament for the first time.
Mendis’ record of a winning start at each of the World Cups was nearly achieved this time too as Oman went close to achieve a victory against Namibia in their Group B opener at the Kensington Oval in Barbados before agonisingly being beaten in a Super Over.
Despite the narrow defeat to Namibia, Oman came with all guns blazing against the mighty Australians in the second match at the same venue and lost only after a spirited fightback.
Irrespective of the two back-to-back defeats, Oman’s performance in both the matches are being praised by experts, former cricketers, players and commentators alike.
However, coach Mendis was not impressed. He said: “It is good to hear that Oman made an impact, they nearly won, and they gave a good fight to Australia. Frankly, it doesn’t help. All we want to see the box where there is W written or a tick in the win section. It is good to listen to praises on the boys’ performances, but we didn’t achieve what we set for – the points.”
The Sri Lankan great said: “It is important to cross the finish line. For me to cross the finish line is what matters, as I know the players can do it. So, a bit disappointed on bow things have turned up so far. But I have the belief in them and hope they will get the much-needed two points against Scotland.”
Mendis said: “Our bowlers have been very good. To defend 109 against Namibia and then strangle Aussies in nearly three-fourth of the match reflects our bowling strength. The batters have been failed om the top and if the top four-five batters don’t score, one cannot win matches. The fielding has been overall good, but we dropped catches at crucial times and misfielded at key moments.”
The coach hoped that the team will put up their all-round show against Scotland at the picturesque venue that has been named in honour of one of the greatest cricketers the modern cricket has seen, Sir Vivian Richards. The original master blaster and who better an inspiration for Oman batters to come good on Sunday.
