Oman and Papua New Guinea started the Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday in the unlikely surroundings of Al Amrat, where the global showpiece is underway after India were forced out of India by Covid-19.
The seventh World Cup begins with a double-header at the 3,000-seat venue outside Muscat.
Later on Sunday, Bangladesh will face Scotland while Ireland, Namibia, the Netherlands and 2014 champions Sri Lanka will join the fray on Monday.
Eight teams in the first round of qualifying are chasing four places in the Super 12 round-robin stage.
England, Australia, South Africa, defending champions West Indies, India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Afghanistan will all look forward to the matches to be held in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The top four players will then advance to the semi-finals before the final in Dubai on November 14.
A lot is at stake. A place in the next round guarantees a place in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.
There is also a financial incentive. Teams clearing the first hurdle take home a modest $40,000. The eventual champion receives a winning check of $1.6 million.
Oman are playing in their second T20 World Cup, which shocked Ireland in 2016, the last time the tournament was held in Australia ahead of the planned 2020 edition, which was hit by the pandemic.
Oman’s team is made up almost exclusively of semi-professional South Asian expatriates who combine cricket with full-time work. Many trains at half past five in the morning.
“There was a time when the only strength of the Oman team was bowling and fast bowling. Now I think we are doing well as a whole unit,” said Oman vice-captain Aaqib Ilyas. “This team is much better than in 2016 and we have raised the bar.”
Papua New Guinea is making its debut in the T20 World Cup. Having been in Oman for a month, he has already got used to the conditions in the Gulf.
Bangladesh have had just one win in the tournament since 2007 but, with a world ranking of six, would be keen to make the second round.
They go into the tournament with home series wins over Australia, New Zealand and Zimbabwe under their belt.
“We should be humble and not take anything lightly. We have to do our best with the first ball against Scotland.
England narrow favourite?
The Scots have fallen at the first hurdle in their last three T20 World Cup appearances in 2007, 2009 and 2016.
They claimed their first and only victory in the tournament five years earlier – an eight-wicket victory in a rain-hit match against Lesser Hong Kong.
“We are entering the first tournament and this is a real challenge for us,” said Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer. “But we beat them (Bangladesh in 2012) in T20 cricket with a Richie Berrington century.”
Top nations will attend the event – played in 70 per cent stadiums on 23 October, with Australia and South Africa meeting in the first leg of the Super 12 stage and England taking on the West Indies.
England won the 50-over world title in 2019 by defeating New Zealand at Lord’s.
However, Eoin Morgan’s team would be without Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, who played key roles in that one-day World Cup win.
England were to defend 19 runs in the last over of the 2016 T20 final in Kolkata, but Stokes was hit for four consecutive sixes by West Indies’ Carlos Brathwaite, giving the Caribbean team their second World T20 title.
Many of that winning team will return, led by Kieron Pollard and old war horses Dwayne Bravo, 38, and Chris Gayle, 42.
Asian giants India, who were the original hosts of the 2021 event before the pandemic meant a change in the Gulf, will begin their campaign on October 24 against arch-rivals and fellow former champions Pakistan alongside Virat Kohli. Relinquishing the post of captain of T20 team.
Does Pakistan have an edge?
Pakistan have won their last 10 Twenty20 Internationals in UAE and captain Babar Azam Claimed That run on Saturday will give his men an edge over India next weekend.
Asked about the team’s disappointing 0-5 record against India in the T20 World Cup, Babar said on Saturday: “Of course we have played a lot of cricket in the UAE.”
“These conditions suit us and we know how to play here. “
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