Oman Cricket unveiled its 15-man squad for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, starting June 1, with a notable leadership change. Aqib Ilyas, the batting all-rounder, has been named the new captain, replacing Zeeshan Maqsood, who held the position since 2016.
Ilyas takes the helm: a leader with experience
The 36-year-old Ilyas brings experience to the captaincy role. He served as Sultan Ahmed’s deputy in Oman’s T20 World Cup debut in 2016 and captained the side during the 2021 edition, co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates.
“I am truly honored to have been entrusted with the captaincy,” said Ilyas, expressing his gratitude for the responsibility. “It’s a big responsibility and my goal is to lead the team to many victories. We are preparing intensively for the World Cup and the recent ACC Premier Cup provided us with invaluable preparation,” he added.
The core remains intact, the spin is increased: continuity and fresh faces
Oman’s squad has a mix of experience and youthful potential. The core group that reached the final of the last ACC Premier Cup remains largely intact, with eight players from the 2021 T20 World Cup squad continuing their journey.
Bowling spearhead Bilal Khan, known for his deadly yorkers, remains at the helm of the bowling attack. He will be supported by the experienced spin trio Kaleemullah, Fayyaz Butt and newcomer Shakeel Ahmad, a left-arm orthodox bowler. Shakeel joins Aqib Ilyas and Zeeshan Maqsood to strengthen Oman’s spin options.
A look at the batting order: opening games to win
The batting order seems to be taking shape with Kashyap Prajapati and Naseem Khushi expected to bat at number three and four respectively. Wicket-keeper batsman Pratik Athavale and Ayaan Khan are likely to be placed further down the order. It is noteworthy that there is no place for openers Jatinder Singh and Samay Shrivastav in the final squad.
With a new captain at the helm and a determined squad, Oman is prepared for a challenging yet exciting T20 World Cup. Their mix of experience and promising young players, coupled with recent ACC Premier Cup experience, positions them to make their mark on the global stage. Whether they can translate their potential into victories remains to be seen, but Oman’s fighting spirit and strategic leadership under Aqib Ilyas promise to make them a team to watch.
Oman squad for T20 World Cup 2024: 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.
Reserves: Jatinder Singh, Samay Shrivastava, Sufyan Mehmood and Jay Odedra.
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