Oman wins ICC praise as ‘high performing member’

MUSCAT: With a host of cricket achievements at the international level in recent years, Oman continues to attract global attention, boosting the government efforts to promote the country as a top tourist destination in the world.
The Sultanate hit the headlines again yesterday after its cricket team beat Nepal by 7 wickets in the opening game of the six-nation Asia Cup Qualifiers also involving UAE, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Nepal.
Having developed top class cricket facilities at its Amerat grassy grounds, Oman Cricket has won ICC trust after it was picked to host ICC World Cricket League Division Three tournament in November. This will be the first time the country will host a major ICC tournament.
Soon after the Sultanate completed a highly successful hosting of the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy for two eventful days, Oman Cricket has drawn words of encouragement from International Cricket Council, the game’s governing body in the world.
Commenting on the new developments and its focus on Oman, an ICC spokesperson at its headquarters in Dubai said: “Oman Cricket is one of the high performing Associate Members and the ICC have a close-working relationship with them to drive the growth of the game.”
When asked if the ICC was expecting Oman to host more events in the future, the spokesperson replied: “It has just been announced that Oman will be hosting the ICC World Cricket League Division Three in November. The excellent facilities and hospitality will no doubt ensure that Oman will be a fantastic host to one of the ICC’s important pathway events in the 50 over format.”
Replying to a question as to why had ICC picked Oman as the only country in the region to host the CWC Trophy, the spokesperson responded: “The ICC were delighted that the first stop on the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour was Oman, one of 11 countries the Trophy is visiting outside of the competing teams in the most connected Trophy Tour ever. Oman Cricket submitted an impressive proposal for the Trophy Tour which included visits to historical Omani landmarks, engaging with the cricket community at a reception at their impressive cricket grounds in Muscat and connecting with fans. The wide range of activity helped the people of Oman connect with the ICC Cricket World Cup and we would like to thank Oman Cricket for all their hard work to date.”
Pankaj Khimji, Oman’s representative at ICC, had called the ICC CWC Trophy coming to Oman as the ‘crowning glory for Oman’s Cricket journey that spans well over four decades’ while addressing the grand reception at the Amerat grounds on Tuesday.