Allrounder Hemin Desai has left Oman and will not play for the country at the World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa in April.

Madhu Sampat, the secretary of the Oman Cricket Association, said Desai, who opened both the batting and bowling for Oman was now living in the United Arab Emirates. "I don't think it had anything to do with cricket," said Sampat, who declined to specify the reason for Desai's departure. "He cannot play for UAE until he has been a resident of the country for at least four years."

Desai, who was the Player of the Tournament at the 2004 Asian Cricket Council Trophy, was not a member of the victorious squad which won the ACC Trophy Challenge yesterday.

Sampat said Desai would be missed. “Hemin was an important member of the team - an allrounder who has bagged many a prize in the ACC tournaments and his absence will be felt very badly on the field of play.”
Tony Munro