Oman captain Hemal Mehta is confident that his side will spring a surprise by becoming one of the two sides to qualify from the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2012 scheduled to be held in UAE from 13-24 March.

The tournament will see 16 teams from across ICC's five regions competing for the remaining two places at the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 which will be staged from 18 September to 7 October in Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele.

Mehta is banking on the effort put in by his side in the preparation for the tournament.

"We have been practising at the new turf wicket laid at Barkha farm of Shri. Kanaksi Khimji (Chairman of Oman Cricket) which is the first ever turf wicket in Oman.

"Apart from the practice we have been busy with our domestic season which is played on the T20 format. The team has also played a few local practice matches with the top league teams. In Dubai we are planning to play five practice matches including two officially arranged by ICC," informed Mehta.

Oman's captain believes the tournament will be a perfect opportunity to showcase the growth of cricket in the country.

"We have a cricket league with more than 60 teams divided into eight groups, who are basically semi-professionals working for five-six days a week and playing during the weekends. Things are changing with big corporates recruiting professional budding cricketers from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to form good sides and in turn helping develop cricket in the country.

"In order to develop interest and participation levels among locals there are five all Omani teams playing in the league and as a rule there are two local players registered with every team so that they get enough experience and exposure at the highest level. Apart from this, there's an all Omani team which travels to Dubai for tournaments. In the national team we have two Omanis travelling for the tournament," said Mehta.

An orthodox left-arm spinner and left-hand batsman, Mehta traces his cricketing roots to Calicut in Kerala and has been captain for the last three seasons.

"I got interested in cricket at the age of nine when India won the Cricket World Cup in 1983. I started playing for my school team and for the state of Kerala under various age levels and have also represented Calicut University.

"When I got a job under sports quota as a cricketer with the Income Tax Department in Mumbai, I played for two years against the likes of Ajit Agarkar, Rohan Gavaskar, Chandrakant Pandit, Pravin Amre and VVS Laxman. I moved base to Oman in 1995 and have been the second highest wicket-taker for the national team at a few tournaments apart from doing well in domestic cricket," recalled Mehta.

According to Mehta the other players to watch out in his side are: "Adnan Ilyas and Vaibhav Wategaonkar for their sheer talent, Amir Ali for his valuable contribution in finishing off important matches under pressure. Jatindar Singh, Ameer Kaleem, Ajay Lalcheta and Rajesh Ranpura for the promising future they hold for Oman."

During the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, Mehta is hoping for the familiarity with the conditions in the UAE to be one of the factors that would favour his side's fortunes.

"This tournament gives us an outside advantage because of familiarity with the wickets, climate and local support. We are eyeing for a spot in the top six at stage one. If we can perform consistently then this target can be achieved. We would be looking for decent local support as it's an honour and a privilege to be the only team from the Middle East,'' reckoned Mehta.

Oman was one of the three sides from Asia to make it to the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. Oman is placed in Group B of the tournament alongside Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Scotland, Namibia, Uganda, and USA.

"We have played all these side either at ICC WCQ or Division 2 or Division 3 tournaments. The only side we have not played ever is Kenya. But we have seen Kenya playing on TV," added Mehta.

According to Mehta qualifying for the ICC World Twenty20 will be a huge boost to cricket in Oman.

"It would mean a lot both in terms of recognition and development of cricket in Oman as a lot of interest would flow in from the board duly supported by Sports Ministry, ICC and ACC. Corporate organisations will also help to ensure cricket is taken to the next level. To the team and to me personally it would be a lifetime achievement and a dream come true to participate at the highest level," concluded Mehta.