Oman skipper Aqib Ilyas has stressed on the importance of his team maintaining composure and not getting intimidated by the formidable Australian team as they gear up to face the 2021 champions in the ongoing T20 World Cup in Barbados on Wednesday (June 5).

In their tournament opener, Oman fought brilliantly and lost to Namibia only in the Super Over. Having gained confidence from it, Ilyas has asked his team to approach the game against Australia with the same mindset as any other match.

While Ilyas is aware of Australia’s stature as a team, he believes it is crucial for them to not allow it to affect their performance. He also reckons that the conditions in Barbados, characterized by unpredictable weather and a potentially challenging pitch, could level the playing field between the two sides.

"Once you step into the field, there is no big name, there is no one bigger than you at the field. It's another game for us and we don't think that we are going to play someone extraordinary," Ilyas said during the pre-match presser.

The captain further mentioned that both teams have qualified for the tournament, highlighting the opportunity for Oman to compete on an equal footing with Australia.

"I don't have to go and tell them as a captain that you are going to face [Mitchell] Starc. Already it comes to your mind when you are playing some top bowlers or top cricketers. So it's been very positive from the management [and] also from the coach, he said we don't even take their names - it's just a team that has come and still they are at the same level what we are doing. We have also qualified, they have also qualified, one team is going to be the champion so it doesn't make much difference, though we respect them [and] what they have [done] in the past. That is why they are named as world champions," he added.

Aqib Ilyas recalled the pitch's challenging conditions when Oman last played at Kensington Oval.

"You see the last match, how the ball was turning and staying low. [Australia] had a few good technique players [against spin] in the past like [Steven] Smith and [Marnus] 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," he said.

Ilyas also expressed confidence in his team's ability to perform under pressure, stating, "The boys are really pumped up. When you come up against the top sides, that is when you get highlighted all over the world. The boys have a lot of opportunity. The thing is we don't have much to lose. Every time there is a World Cup, there is an upset ... the weather, how it is behaving, anything can happen."

The Oman captain has immense respect for the Australian team. He hopes to learn something from them and possibly impart some lessons of their own.

"After the game, of course there are great players in their side, and we can learn a lot from them. But maybe even they might be able to learn something from us," Ilyas concluded.

(With ANI Inputs)