The much-anticipated T20 World Cup will kick off on 17 October with Oman and Papua New Guinea facing off in the curtain-raiser. Oman are light on T20 experience, having not played a formal T20I since February 2020, but they have played four warm-up games in the build-up to the marquee event. The most recent meeting of the two sides came in the 50-over World Cup League 2 in September, with Oman easing to a 110-run victory.
All four ODIs between these two teams have seen Oman come up roses. This is the first time they will lock horns in a T20I, and Oman will fancy their chances against a demoralized PNG, who were beaten comprehensively by Scotland and lost to Namibia in the unofficial matches.
Date & Time: 2pm local time, 11am BST on Sunday, October 17, 2021
Venue: Oman Cricket Academy Ground, Al Amerat
Probable XIs:
Oman: Jatinder Singh, Khawar Ali, Aqib Ilyas, Zeeshan Maqsood (c), Suraj Kumar, Sandeep Goud, Naseem Khushi (wk), Ayaan Khan, Fayyaz Butt, Kaleemullah, Bilal Khan
Papua New Guinea: Tony Ura, Lega Siaka, Assad Vala (c), Charles Amini, Sese Bau, Kiplin Doriga (wk), Norman Vanua, Jason Kila, Chad Soper, Nosaina Pokana, Damien Ravu
Players to watch out for: Skipper Zeeshan Maqsood, Oman’s most polished player, doesn’t miss out on deliveries straying on the pads while Bilal Khan can chalk up some express pace.
The onus to do the heavy lifting will be on PNG skipper Assad Vala in what is a batting line-up woefully short on muscle.
Bookies View: Oman are the hot favourites, with the host nation available at incredibly short odds of 2/11. Reckon Papua New Guinea has the wherewithal to spring an upset? Then you can back them at 15/4.
The Guerilla View – Nakul Pande
The effects of 18 cricketless months of lockdown has showed in Papua New Guinea losing 10 straight ODIs since September. And COVID has had far graver consequences: just last week, keeper Kiplin Doriga, all-rounder Charles Amini and seamer Nosaina Pokana all lost parents to the virus. But the Barramundis are renowned in Associate circles for their togetherness, and while spin and rustiness may prove their undoing, their powerful batting and especially their electric fielding makes them a dangerous opponent.
Where to Watch:
Obviously with us, here on our website, Hotmic or Facebook
Sky Sports Cricket (Sky 404, Talk Talk 404, BT TV 423, Virgin 504) will broadcast the T20 World Cup in the United Kingdom, with the content available online via its streaming platform Sky Go.
BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra will have live ball-by-ball radio commentary of all tournament matches, accessible through the BBC Sport website, BBC Sounds or DAB radio.
The Star Sports network possesses broadcasting rights in India. Matches can be streamed via Disney+ Hotstar.
Australia – Fox Sports, Channel 9, Kayo Sports
New Zealand – Sky Sport New Zealand
Pakistan – PTV Sports, Ten Sports
Bangladesh – Ghazi Tv (GTV)
Sri Lanka – SLRC (Channel Eye)
South Africa – SuperSport
Caribbean – ESPN
Middle East and North Africa – eLife TV, StarzPlay, Switch TV
USA – ESPN+
Singapore – Star Cricket, Star Hub and Singtel
Malaysia – Fox International Channels
Hong Kong – Star Cricket
