Oman to host Test cricket in February 2021 as ICC grants approval for Oman Cricket Academy ground

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 By K.R. Nayar

Oman will become the second nation in the Gulf region to host a Test match when they stage a two-Test series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in February 2021. So far only 22 nations and 122 grounds in the world have hosted a Test match.

Oman Cricket Association ground 

Test cricket will be played in a new ground and in a new country this year. Oman will become the second nation in the Gulf region to stage a Test match in February. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has granted approval to host Test cricket at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground 1. A two-Test series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will be played on this ground next month.

As of now, only 22 nations in the world have hosted a Test match. So far, only 122 grounds have staged Test matches since the first officially recognised Test match between Australia and England was played in Melbourne in March 1877.

Kanak Khimji 

This is expected to be a huge leap for Oman that began as an affiliate member of the ICC in 2000 and gained Associate member status in 2014. Cricket in Oman flourished mainly due to the support from a well-known business family there - the Khimjis.  Kanak Khimji, a passionate cricket lover, and businessman leads the way as chairman of Oman Cricket. He was presented the ICC award for Lifetime Service in 2011.

Pankaj Khimji, the son of Kanak, who represents Oman in the ICC meetings, ensured that his country becomes a Test venue. Expressing his delight, he said: “To see Test cricket being played in Oman is a dream come true.” He went on to hail his father’s efforts in chasing a dream to bring Test cricket to Oman.

Pankaj Khimji 

This news has lifted the spirit of cricket enthusiasts in Oman and their national team players. Speaking to krbuzz.blogspot.com, Chaitanya Khimji, former treasurer of the Oman Cricket, said: “Oman cricket will grow by leaps and bounds with this opportunity granted to them. Truly a momentous occasion and very happy that this is happening for cricketers and cricket supporters of Oman.”

Former Sri Lankan captain Duleep Mendis, who is the Chief Development Officer at Oman Cricket, thanked chairman Kanak Khimji and the board of directors for guiding Oman through tough times. The Oman Cricket Academy is one of the finest coaching facilities in the Gulf region and has unearthed many talented cricketers.  After the UAE, it is only Oman from the Gulf region and an associate nation that has Test, ODI, and T20 status.

Duleep Mendis 

Oman Cricket was presented the Best Cricket Development Programme Award for National Youth Development Project during the 2014 Asian Cricket Council Conference.
With Test cricket, One Day Internationals, and T20 Internationals to be held on this ground, cricket enthusiasts will be able to watch high-level cricket that is needed for the improvement of their game. Plans are on to boost the seating capacity at the ground before the historic first Test match.

In 2015, Oman created history by becoming the second cricketing nation from the Gulf to qualify for a World Cup event when they booked their place in the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20. Madhu Jesrani, secretary of Oman Cricket, soon after this achievement, had said: “This historic achievement has happened on Oman’s Renaissance Day (which marks the anniversary of the Sultan’s ascension to the throne in 1970) and hence we dedicate our triumph to our ruler Sultan Qaboos and the government which has supported our efforts in a big way.”

The enthusiasm for cricket in Oman is so high that their national team may soon become a Test-playing country as well.

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