Captain Aqib Ilyas, a batsman and all-rounder, will lead Oman at the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which starts on June 1.
The team’s roster announcement revealed Ilyas as captain, while Zeeshan Maqsood retained his position on the squad. In Oman’s 2016 T20 World Cup debut, the 36-year-old replaced Sultan Ahmed, and he captained the team during the 2021 tournament that they co-hosted with the United Arab Emirates.
“I am truly honoured to be entrusted with the captaincy,” stated Aqib. It’s a big job, and I want to win a lot of games with the club. We have been training hard for the World Cup, and the most recent ACC Premier Cup has given us a great deal of experience.”
The majority of the team that advanced to the ACC Premier Cup final are back for the 2024 campaign, including eight players who competed in the 2021 T20 World Cup. The lineup for bowling will once again be led by left-arm yorker specialist Bilal Khan, who will be supported with the ball by left-arm orthodox Shakeel Ahmad and left-arm specialists Kaleemullah and Fayyaz Butt. Shakeel, although being relatively new to the team, joins Aqib and Zeeshan, two all-rounders, in Oman’s spin flotilla.
When it comes to batting, the probable starting lineup is Kashyap Prajapati and Naseem Khushi at No. 3 and No. 4, with wicket-keeper batter Pratik Athavale and Ayaan Khan slated for lower positions. Up front, we have Aqib and Zeeshan.
Samay Shrivastav and opener Jatinder Singh have no place in the team.
The Oman team consists of Aqib Ilyas (captain), Zeeshan Maqsood, Kashyap Prajapati, Pratik Athavale (wk), Mehran Khan, Bilal Khan, Rafiullah, Kaleemullah, Fayyaz Butt, Shakeel Ahmad, and Khalid Kail. Reserves: Jay Odedra, Sufyan Mehmood, Samay Shrivastava, and Jatinder Singh
Oman takes play the Eagles in Barbados on June 2nd as part of their T20 World Cup campaign. Oman is grouped with Australia, England, Namibia, and Scotland.
