For the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which starts on June 1st, Oman’s captain is batting all-rounder Aqib Ilyas.
Zeeshan Maqsood, the previous captain, retained his place in the squad, but Ilyas was named captain. Having managed the team in their maiden T20 World Cup in 2016, the 36-year-old replaced Sultan Ahmed when Oman co-hosted the competition in 2021.
“I am truly honoured to be entrusted with the captaincy,” Aqib declared. Leading the club to several triumphs is my goal, but it’s a big burden. We’re training hard for the World Cup, and the ACC Premier Cup just gave us a ton of practice.
Eight members of the 2021 T20 World Cup squad are in for the 2024 push, making up the majority of the team that advanced to the final of the most recent ACC Premier 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.
The combination of Kashyap Prajapati and Naseem Khushi at No. 3 and No. 4 with the bat appears set to be used ahead of Aqib and Zeeshan, with Ayaan Khan and wicket-keeper Pratik Athavale likely to be used lower down.
Neither opener Jatinder Singh nor Samay Shrivastav could get into the lineup.
Oman squad: Aqib Ilyas (c), Zeeshan Maqsood, Kashyap Prajapati, Pratik Athavale (wk), Ayaan Khan, Shoaib Khan, Mohammad Nadeem, Naseem Khushi (wk), Mehran Khan, Bilal Khan, Rafiullah, Kaleemullah, Fayyaz Butt, Shakeel Ahmad, Khalid Kail. Reserves: Jatinder Singh, Samay Shrivastava, Sufyan Mehmood, Jay Odedra
