Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | Ramadan 8, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Has Oman found its own Akram?

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MUSCAT - He is a left-arm paceman. He can swing the ball. He is wily too. And he takes wickets by the bucket. Has Oman discovered a Wasim Akram in the making? Well, only time will tell, but Muhammed Omair Quddusi is making the ball talk and the whole town is listening.


His was outstanding with the ball in the two Junior League matches he has played so far and his performances for MCCC Under-19 team were powerful enough to get everyone’s attention focused on him.


Oman Cricket felicitated Omair today and OC Chairman Kanak Khimji himself came over to head the ceremony and encourage him to work hard and scale greater heights in cricket. Omair also got a big pat on the back from Madhu Jesrani, OC Secretary, Pankaj Khimji, senior board Member, and Duleep Mendis, Oman’s head coach and Chief Development Officer.


In the first match against Indian School Wadi Kabir, Omair made a dream debut in the Junior League, running through a strong batting line-up, taking five wickets for just 18 runs in his six-over spell as ISWK was dismissed for a meagre 70.


In his next game against Indian School Al Seeb, Omair was literally unplayable, his swinging deliveries leaving ISAS batsmen stunned and dumbfounded as he returned with amazing bowling figures of 6.1 overs, two maidens, 9 wickets for 9 runs. Too good to believe.


Who is his inspiration in cricket?


“I watched cricket since my childhood and was always fascinated by the ‘Sultan of Swing’ Wasim Akram. His bowling inspired me a lot and motivated me to bowl like him. I may not be as gifted as him but I try to bowl the way he did and am getting great results,” commented Omair when asked about his role model.


His coach Bhavesh Mehta, a qualified Level Two coach, and team mentor Hemal Mehta, former Oman captain, have high opinion of him.


“Omair is a talented left-arm fast bowler who is naturally gifted and swings the ball nicely. We are happy with his bowling but he has to focus on his fitness to have a good future in cricket,” said Bhavesh.


Omair had played for Sri Lankan School Muscat at Under-16 level before he moved to Malaysia for higher studies. After completing his studies there, he returned to Oman earlier this year and joined MCCC, where he is happy to be playing under the tutelage of Bhavesh, Hemal and Michael Suraj, his team manager.


“I was a bit disappointed when I was not picked for Oman Under-16 team a few years back, but I was determined to do well and continued playing in Malaysia. When I picked 5 wickets against ISWK, I was really happy and wanted to do even better. Then, I took 9 wickets in the next game against ISAS and was literally over the moon. I could not even believe that I have made a record in Oman,” said Omair with a broad smile lighting up his face.


Shahzad Raza


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