During a passionate and confident pre-game news conference on the day of Oman’s T20 World Cup 2024 match against Australia—their first meeting in the competition, which kicked off a few days earlier—the captain of Oman, Aqib Ilyas, expressed his viewpoint. He said that when a player hits the pitch, the reputation of well-known names doesn’t matter; nobody is better. This is the attitude he pushed his colleagues to have against the tough Australian team.
Ilyas insisted that neither he nor the management had specifically mentioned their high-profile opponents, insisting that his comments were not meant to disparage a cricket team with a distinguished record of success. Rather than backing down, he inspired his team to take on the task head-on, especially by pushing bowlers such as Mitchell Starc. He continuously encouraged them to adopt a courageous approach by visualising the praise and respect they would receive if they were able to upset the Australians.
“As soon as you enter the field, you are the only person there larger than any famous person. Ilyas said at the pre-game press conference, “It’s just another game for us, and we don’t think we’re going to play someone extraordinary.”
How much attention would someone receive if he faced Starc? Aqib Ilyas
Ilyas also discussed their methods for getting ready for the match without overtaxing the players. He praised Oman’s management for keeping the team out of the spotlight and making the huge game seem like any other interaction.
“I don’t have to go tell them that you’re going to face Mitchell Starc in your capacity as a captain. When you’re facing some of the best bowlers or players in cricket, it already crosses your mind. As a result, the management and coach have both expressed how pleased they are. The coach stated that we don’t even use their names; they are simply a team that has arrived and is performing on par with us.
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We admire them and what they have done in the past, but it doesn’t really matter because both of our teams have qualified and only one team will win. Their status as world champions stems from this. There are big names, for sure, but I tell [our boys] to envision someone taking on Starc or any of the best bowlers and how much attention he will receive if they play against him tomorrow,” Ilyas continued.
India
