Oman captain Aqib Illyas is optimistic as his side will take on mighty Australia in their next match of the T20 World Cup 2024. The AUS vs OMN match will be played on June 6 (Thursday). Speaking in a press conference, Aqib Illyas said that Australia boasted several technical sound batters like Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne but now they all look to play shots.
lllyas warned that the pitch could turn out to trouble the Aussies and pointed out the West Indies vs Papua New Guinea game where the hosts struggled to get over the line.
They look to hit big: Illyas ahead of AUS vs OMN match
“Yeah, exactly. You see the last match, how the ball was turning and staying low in the last match. These teams had a few good technique players in the past like Smith and Labuschagne but I don’t think they have many now. They look to hit big. Everyone tries to go for sixes but every day it is not the same day and if the same wicket is there, maybe it can be a problem for them. As you could see PNG bowling against West Indies, they were difficult to chase 130 runs even on having one of the biggest hitters in the side,” said Oman captain Aqib Illyas.
We have to play with big heart
Ilyas continued by saying that his side will need to play with a big heart and put the balls in the right areas to trouble the Aussies on a slower track.
“So, on a slower track, on a slow wicket, with good quality spinners, only thing is we have to play with the big heart and we have to put it on the right areas. It’s just about the areas because the ball doesn’t know how big the batsman in front of it. If it turns a bit, it stays low or anything happens, the batsman is gone,” said Ilyas.