Huge support awaits Tigers in Oman

The general cricketing fraternity may not relate the game with Oman but the oil-rich gulf nation is all set to host the qualifying round of the flagship event in the form of ICC T20 World Cup from tomorrow.

The interest of the Bangladesh cricket fans have focused towards the middle-eastern nation as the Tigers have arrived at its capital to play three qualifying matches at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground — located 15 km to the south-east of Muscat, where the first game against Scotland is scheduled on October 17.

From the experience of covering international cricket events around the globe as a journalist, it was a different experience since landing in Oman, especially in the middle of the pandemic, where traveling gets even harder due to health safety measures.

As there is hardly any cricketing interest among the majority of the local population, there was no such evidence of enthusiasm or branding of the mega event, which is going to take place in the country in just two days.

The final moments of preparation to build new roads, that connect the stadium to the highway, was going in full swing since the ground is situated right in the middle of a desert surrounded by rocky hills.

And the temporary stands to accommodate 3000 spectators were almost ready as the sultanate, where the extreme heat just adds to what is already a difficult condition for the Bangladesh team, is all set to create history.

But when it comes to around nearly eight lakh Bangladeshi expats residing in Oman, for them to witness their heroes playing right in front is a great opportunity — one that they barely get in this part of the world where cricket is hardly a topic of interest.

However, disappointment was in the air around the Bangladeshi expats here in Muscat as the limited seating arrangements could well end up depriving many of watching the Tigers live in action.

Mohammad Riyad, a Bangladeshi businessman living in Oman for the past 15 years, expressed his combined enthusiasm and frustration. 

"Well, the local Omanis have little interest when it comes to watching cricket matches. But for us, we don't want to miss supporting our Bangladesh team from the ground for the very first time here in Muscat, and that too in a world cup event.

"But the problem is, there are only 3000 seating arrangements for each game at the stadium [Al Amerat] and considering the huge number of Bangladeshis living here in Oman, it's not enough at all," added the Bangladeshi expat.

The lack of seating arrangements was one of the major issues but an even bigger problem for the Bangladeshi expats was the price of the match tickets, which is on the expensive side, according to many.

"For the past few days, we have been trying to find tickets but unfortunately we're yet to acquire them as there are no ticket booths. You can buy tickets online but then again, it's very hard to get one, considering the limited seats in the ground," said Nurul Haque, another Bangladeshi expat who owns an electronics shop in Muscat.

"The cheapest tickets which cost around 10 Omani Rial [approx. Tk 2200] are unavailable while the price of the available ones cost you around 30 Rial [approx. Tk 6700], which is pretty expensive. But still, we are trying to arrange tickets to watch Bangladesh play in front of our very eyes," added the Bangladeshi expat.

However the situation unfolds, the Tigers can anticipate to get massive support during their stay in Oman for the next seven to eight days.