Oman have confirmed a 17-man squad for what will be their maiden appearance at the Asia Cup next month, opting for a mix of steady heads and fresh faces. Uncapped quartet Sufyan Yousuf, Zikria Islam, Faisal Shah and Nadeem Khan all win call-ups, while established opener Jatinder Singh continues as captain.
Head coach Duleep Mendis tried to keep expectations realistic but upbeat. “It is real that we are participating in the Asia Cup – a major tournament and a fantastic opportunity for our players to showcase their skills on a global stage,” he said. “Playing against teams like India and Pakistan is a moment to embrace for any cricketer. Anything can happen in a fast-paced T20 game, where one over of brilliance can change everything.”
He added: “Our build-up has been strong, with the ongoing National T20 tournament providing competitive exposure, and our training sessions have been intense and focused. It’s not just about skills – in high-pressure games against elite teams, mental strength is equally crucial. We are hopeful of making an impact in this Asia Cup and showcasing Oman as a growing cricketing nation.”
Those words underline the balance Oman hope to strike. The newcomers sit alongside seasoned hands such as all-rounder Mohammed Nadeem and left-arm spinner Aamir Kaleem. A short tournament means momentum matters; one poor evening can end a campaign, one hot spell with bat or ball can extend it.
Oman are drawn in Group A and open against Pakistan on 12 September, face UAE on 15 September and finish the group phase against India on 19 September. Their last competitive outing came in May during Cricket World Cup League 2 in Lauderhill, where results were mixed but fielding standards drew praise from opposition coaches.
Squad: Jatinder Singh (capt), Hammad Mirza, Vinayak Shukla, Sufyan Yousuf, Ashish Odedara, Aamir Kaleem, Mohammed Nadeem, Sufyan Mehmood, Aryan Bisht, Karan Sonavale, Zikriya Islam, Hassnain Shah, Faisal Shah, Muhammed Imran, Nadeem Khan, Shakeel Ahmed, Samay Shrivastava.
The assignment is stiff – India and Pakistan are title contenders every year – yet Oman’s management prefer to see it as a classroom rather than a judgement day. Performances that show composure, even in defeat, will serve the side well ahead of the next T20 World Cup cycle.
