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ICC World T20: Gritty Oman ready to take on experienced Ireland


2016-03-10 07:04:24
(MENAFN- Muscat Daily)
The most heartbreaking part of the tournament is already under way and Ireland and Oman will be the last ones to enter the crucible.

The most heartbreaking part of the tournament is already under way and Ireland and Oman will be the last ones to enter the crucible. Ireland is arguably the most backed associate team by the neutral fan and that it has to play the qualifiers is the face of the injustice to associate teams.

It has caused upsets in three successive 50-over World Cups even though its Twenty20 form of late has been dodgy. Ireland's batting has been a bit of a worry. It has reached 150 only once in its last 11 matches.

The lack of power-hitting has been a bit of a concern which is why coach John Bracewell has focused on that aspect of Ireland's game. When asked about his team's batting captain William Porterfield was defiant and wondered if the reporter was talking about Oman's batting.

Oman's Adnan Ilyas takes part in a net session in Dharamshala on Tuesday ahead of the World T20 match against Ireland

"I am not too bothered about that. We are in a good place. I am happy where we are."

Against Oman the relative unknowns of this round Ireland will need its power-hitting. Built mostly of expats of Indian and Pakistani origin Oman have caught the attention of the hardcore fan with its hard-nosed attitude to cricket especially its refusal to bow down to pressure.

The buzz

Oman: It is an unknown commodity in a tournament as big as this one and it didn't give any indication of changes that it might make to the XI that played the last Twenty20.

Ireland: It has no fitness concerns despite a stomach bug here or there during the week. It has all 15 to choose from. Skipper William Porterfield declined to talk about the combination but he could leave out the Stuarts Poynter and Thompson.

Key players

Munis Ansari: He has drawn everybody's attention with an impersonation of Lasith Malinga's action. He slings them in just like Malinga but not at his pace. That is the kind of bowler who can either flop under pressure or do just the opposite - win games single-handedly.

Boyd Rankin: He is back for Ireland. This will be only his third international back after his return and the first big tournament. He will love the conditions in Dharamshala. Every captain has said he expects good pace and carry. Rankin will be a big test for the Oman batsmen who don't usually get to face tall fast bowlers.

Teams

Oman (likely): Zeeshan Maqsood Jatinder Singh Khawar Ali Adnan Ilyas Syed Aamir Kaleem Sultan Ahmed (capt wk) Mehran Khan Syed Amir Ali Sufyan Mehmood Munis Ansari Bilal Khan.

Ireland (likely): William Porterfield (capt) Paul Stirling Andrew Poynter Niall O'Brien Gary Wilson (wk) Kevin O'Brien Andy McBrine/Andy Balbirnie George Dockrell Max Sorensen Tim Murtagh Boyd Rankin.

Cricinfo



Muscat Daily

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