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Azhar exhorts Oman team to work hard

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By Haridev Pushparaj — MUSCAT: May 1 - Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin instilled faith in Oman cricket and said the team has to work really hard to compete at the highest level. Azharuddin, who played 199 Tests for India and accumulated 6,216 runs, was speaking to Oman Observer on the sidelines of a press meet organised by Oman Cricket. Oman cricket team is scheduled to play in the World Cricket League Division 3 tournament in Uganda from May 23-30. The team is in the middle of a three-match bilateral one-day series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) team, the first of which they lost by eight wickets on Sunday.


Azhar felt Oman have the potential but need to show greater temperament in match situations.


“They (Oman) have the talent and skill but I feel sometimes they have lapses in concentration. They have progressed well over the last 18 months. As you can see from the performance at the World T20, but in the 50-over format they have to show the temperament to play well over a period of 100 overs,’’ the former Hyderabad batsman added.


Talking about the aspects that Oman need to focus on going ahead, Azhar stated they have to develop their overall game.


“See there is not one particular aspect that they have to lay special emphasis on, it is the overall game where they have to focus. This is important because you are playing over a period of 100 overs and there is no point giving excuses saying we have played too many T20s and therefore we cannot adapt to the 50-over format,’’ he explained.


Azhar felt Oman will have to play their 50-over matches differently than the T20 games.


“They will have to forget about the T20 format and how they play there. The 50-over format must be played in its own way. It will require greater fitness and stronger temperament as it is over a longer duration and it’s not easy,’’ Azhar said.


Pankaj Khimji, Oman Cricket Board member, said it’s good that Oman is starting to have local tours as they are crucial for International Cricket Council’s (ICC) funds.


“ICC has funds earmarked for us and therefore the more we conduct local tours, the better it will be for us to get funds,’’ he added.


Talking about the challenges that Oman cricket faces as it goes forward, Khimji said the players need to keep working on their fitness and mental strength.


“They are amateurs in a sense. They all have 9-to-5 jobs and have families, they will have to play more of high-level cricket. But, there has been a lot of improvement in the recent past as you are aware, the boys are more confident and comfortable,’’ Khimji stated.


Duleep Mendis, Oman’s chief coach, replied in the affirmative when asked categorically about Oman’s chances of qualification to Division 2.


“We are positive about our chances and quite confident. In fact, we are quite sure about it,’’ he added.


Oman Cricket secretary Madhursinh Jesrani exuded confidence ahead of the Oman team’s trip to Uganda as well.


“We are confident,’’ he said.


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