Sri Lanka to tour Oman for two T20Is before World Cup
Oman will host Sri Lanka for two T20 matches before the World Cup later this year. The two sides will play the matches in the buildup to their first-round competition at the mega event, Oman coach and former Sri Lanka cricketer Duleep Mendis told the Times of Oman.
Oman is co-staging the T20 World Cup 2021 with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Though the two teams are in different groups, the conditions in the Sultanate are quite similar to those in the UAE. The Lankan team play all their group games in the Emirates. The two warmup matches in Oman will give the visitors the much-needed opportunity to familiarize themselves with the region before the tournament.
Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley De Silva confirmed the development to Newswire.
"Sri Lanka will be playing two T20 matches against Oman during the tour and we are extremely pleased that they decided to come to Oman on their way to the UAE," Mendis was quoted as saying.
We are glad that the Oman team will get the opportunity to play a full-strength Sri Lanka squad: Duleep Mendis
Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2021 groups and teams.
Duleep Mendis said that the T20 matches will be an incredible opportunity for a full-strength Sri Lankan outfit before the first round of the tournament. The 68-year old sees it as an opportunity for the Lankans to adjust to the conditions in the UAE and for Oman to play a top side before the marquee competition.
"We are glad that the Oman team will be getting the opportunity to play a full-strength Sri Lanka squad which will participate in the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup. The two T20 matches will help both teams as Sri Lanka will have to get acclimatized before reaching the UAE and Oman would have a crack at a top side just before the tournament starts," said Mendis.
Sri Lanka will have gained some confidence after beating India in the three-match T20 series at home. They also have another T20 series lined up against South Africa in Colombo in September, which will consist of three matches.