Oman visits Pakistan to play hockey but Sri Lanka cricket team steals limelight

Team will play four-match series against Men in Green in National Hockey Stadium, Lahore

LAHORE: Oman’s international hockey team arrived in Lahore on Sunday to participate in a four-match series with all the matches taking place in the National Hockey Stadium of Lahore, starting from October 1.

While Sri Lanka were given presidential-level security, the arrival of an international hockey team, Oman, didn’t make it to the headlines. The team was welcomed a bunch of Pakistan Hockey Federation officials, which included Colonel Asif Niaz Khokhar and Major Manj at the Lahore airport.

Pakistan will kick-off their preparation to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with the four-match series against Oman. The first match will be played on October 1 while the next three matches will take place on October 2, October 4 and October 6.

It should be mentioned here that the last match was rescheduled to October 6 due to the impending arrival of the Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore for the T20I series.

Oman hockey team’s head coach Tahir Zaman said, “We have come to Pakistan with full preparation. We hope to give Pakistan a tough time in the field.”

While talking to Express exclusively, Zaman added: “Pakistan is one of the best hockey-playing nations in the world. Playing against a strong opposition like Pakistan will help us in preparing for the Junior Asia Cup.”

Oman’s team manager was also hopeful. “I am very happy to visit Pakistan,” he said. “Players are upbeat to play against Pakistan. They were happy with the welcome they received.”

Khokhar, on the occasion, said: “This series will help us open the doors of international hockey in Pakistan. Playing Oman will help us prepare for the Tokyo Olympics qualifying rounds.”