Debutants vs first time co-hosts in T20 World Cup opener

 

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup gets underway on Sunday(today, 17) when Oman take on Papua New Guinea in a fascinating opening fixture befitting the tournament's return from a five-year hiatus.

Oman first appeared in an ICC Men's T20 World five years ago; the most recent edition of the tournament. It was a successful campaign for the first-timers, who won one of their three matches. This time around, they'll have much loftier ambitions. The nation ranked 18th in the world on the MRF Tyres ICC T20I team rankings will be eyeing a spot in the Super 12 stage with two qualification places up for grabs in each of the First Round groups.

They won't have to look far for motivation either as they are spurred on by home support. Of course, they won't have things easy.

Papua New Guinea go into the tournament opener full of confidence, ranked three places higher than their opponents. And with fixtures against Scotland and Bangladesh to come this match could well determine the World Cup fate of both nations. (Source ICC)