Muscat, Oct 17
Oman announced itself to the cricketing world at one of its biggest stages, the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, with an opening ceremony that showcased the Sultanate’s culture, customs and traditions in all its glory.
The country’s cricket team made a statement of its own with a resounding victory against debutants Papua New Guinea (PNG) that launched their World Cup campaign in style. The opening ceremony was presided over by HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth.
Some of the biggest names in World cricket’s administrative circles were in attendance with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly and its treasurer Jay Shah gracing the occasion.
The procession of women riders on horseback holding the flags of all the participating nations of the T20 World Cup was one of the most enduring sights of the day.
Oman’s cricket loving fans thronged the Al Amerat Stadium with a lot of gusto to add colour and noise to the occasion as the venue resembled a celebratory carnival.
Oman’s victory was the icing on the cake for the local fans cheering for the home team after the wonderful start to the proceedings that set the tone for the day.
IN ALL ITS POMP
As the live telecast for the Oman and Papua New Guinea match started rolling, television screens around the world beamed videos of stunning Al Amerat Stadium mesmerising viewers in all its pomp.
Al Amerat Stadium has been garnering some rave reviews with its picturesque and scenic views with the grandeur of the Hajar mountains in the background.
Acclaimed cricket commentator and presenter Alan Wilkins tweeted a video of the stadium on his Twitter handle that elicited appreciation and admiration from cricket lovers from all over the world.
There are some stunning cricketing venues in the world from the table-top Newlands stadium in Cape Town to the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala, India. SEE PAGES 10 & 11
