Oman step up WCL 2 preparations with series against Kerala
MUSCAT: In an effort to provide Oman players quality games that will serve as ideal tune-up to the tri-nation series of ICC Men's Cricket World Cup (CWC) League 2 (2024/27) in the USA next month (May 17-27), Oman Cricket will host the Kerala state team over a four-match limited-overs series from April 21 at the Oman Cricket Academy ground.
Oman's recent form in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 has been promising.
Oman are currently placed fourth in the WCL 2 standing comprising eight nations with 18 points from 16 games.
The USA lead the standing with 22 from 16 while the Netherlands are second with 20 from similar number of matches. Canada are third with 20 points from 16 games followed by Oman and Namibia (14 from 20 games).
The visiting Kerala side, which finished as Ranji Trophy — India's premier domestic red-ball competition — runner-up this season, will be up against an ICC side for the first time.
Kerala will be led by wicketkeeper-batter Mohammed Azharuddeen, but the squad will miss star Indian cricketer Sanju Samson, who is involved with IPL. The team is coached by former Indian cricketer Tinu Yohannan.
Mendis welcomed the Kerala team to Oman. 'We are pleased to host the Kerala team, the finalist of Ranji Trophy this season for a four-match friendly series. The team has quality players and we are keen to play against such good sides as we prepare for our USA tour next month.'
He added: 'This series is ideal for our boys as they have been undergoing rigorous training over the past few weeks. The boys will gain confidence ahead of our USA tour of WCL 2 that will also feature Canada. We will also play another strong Indian state team of Karnataka later this month and the two series will provide our boys the needed warm-up and hopefully we can get good results.'
'We're treating these matches with the same seriousness as international fixtures,' he said.
Mendis added that the Oman team management sees the series as a platform to test combinations and assess form. 'This will help our selectors and coaching staff make key decisions on the final 15 before the League 2 tournament. We're also happy to build sporting ties with teams like Kerala and encourage these exchanges.'
Oman Chairman's XI will be led by Jatinder Singh.
Oman team: Jatinder Singh, Aamir Kaleem, Pruthvi Machhi, Hammad Mirza, Mohammad Nadeem, Sufyan Mehmood, Shakeel Ahmed, Jay Odedra, Samay Shrivastava, Wasim Ali, Vinayak Shukla, Hassnain Ali Shah, Muhammad Imran, Mujib Ali, Sandeep Goud, Ashish Odedara, Hashir Dafedar, Mohammed Bilal Shah, Muzahir Raza, Ubaidullah.
Match schedule: April 21: First match, 2 pm; April 23: Second match, 2 pm; April 25: Third game, 2 pm; April 27; Fourth and final match, 10 am.
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