Oman Cricket, co-host for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021, is likely to host the Mumbai senior squad prior to the International Cricket Council’s global event.
With Maharashtra reeling under the rampant spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the cricket governing body in the State is contemplating to send their senior team to Oman for an exposure trip.
The Mumbai team is expected to have its training base in Muscat.
The Covid-19 pandemic has also compelled the Board of Control for Cricket in India to host the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in the United Arab Emirates. The matches will be played across Oman, Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. The BCCI is the official host of the T20 World Cup.
Oman has also qualified for the T20 World Cup, to be played from October 17. It will also host the week-long qualification stage before the marquee event moves to United Aram Emirates.
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As a result, Oman cricketers are keen to compete against a seasoned outfit ahead of its litmus test. For MCA, with no off-season tournaments being planned anywhere in India ahead of a proposed full domestic season, the new head coach and a new-look selection committee can try out some of the fringe players during the tour.
Confirming the proposed series, Oman Cricket president Pankaj Khimji said the tour is yet to be confirmed. “It depends on the logistics and other permissions. We are discussing it and we would definitely want this to happen,” Sportstar has quoted Khimji as saying.
“It will also be good for Mumbai as it will be a pre-season tour and also it is good for us as it helps us ahead of the season. We have the World Cricket League coming up in September, so it will be good if we get to play against Mumbai.”
It is understood that MCA secretary Sanjay Naik, after receiving a formal invitation letter from Oman Cricket on Friday, is set to deliberate the proposal with other office-bearers, coach Amol Muzumdar and chief selector Salil Ankola before taking a call later this week.
With almost a dozen top Mumbai cricketers being involved either in England or for the Indian Premier League (IPL) preparation, if Mumbai decides to accept the proposal, it will have to select a second-string outfit.
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