Saturday 04 / October / 2025
MUSCAT: With belief built on their recent spirited Asia Cup performance against world champions India and the roar of home support behind them, Oman’s cricketers are all geared up to chase back-to-back T20 World Cup qualifications.
As Oman step into the ICC T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Qualifier on home soil, head coach Duleep Mendis and deputy Sulakshan Kulkarni are united by one conviction — the boys are ready.
The tournament at the Oman Cricket Academy ground in Al Amerat from October 8-17 will bring together nine top Associate nations from Asia and the EAP region, all competing for three crucial spots at the global tournament to be held in India and Sri Lanka in 2026.
For the hosts, this qualifying campaign carries both familiarity and renewed determination. Having made their T20 World Cup debut in 2016 and returned to the global stage in 2021 and 2024, Oman now aim to seal qualification for the second consecutive edition — a feat that would underscore their growing stature in the shorter format.
At the upcoming qualifier, Oman are grouped along with Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Samoa.
Mendis, who has overseen much of Oman’s modern cricketing evolution, believes the recent experience of playing in the Asia Cup against heavyweights India and Pakistan has fortified his players for this challenge.
“We’ve played the T20 World Cup qualifiers several times and have been successful on three occasions to qualify. We need to do it again,” Mendis said. “This is our opportunity — and playing at home gives us that extra edge.”
The upcoming qualifier offers a rare luxury for Oman — familiar wickets, predictable weather, and vocal home support.
Oman’s players have spent years honing their craft at the Al Amerat ground, and both coaches are convinced that comfort could make the decisive difference.
Yet, as Mendis cautions, familiarity alone does not guarantee success. “Conditions may favour us, but performance is what matters. Every team will come hard. We need to stay disciplined, play smart cricket, and focus on one match at a time,” he emphasised.
"Our fielding needs to improve with the bowling and batting showing improvement during our recent T20I wins against Kuwait on our return from Asia Cup," added Mendis.
For deputy head coach Kulkarni, the optimism stems not just from training sessions but from the team’s spirited showing against world-class opposition in the recent Asia Cup in the UAE.
Oman’s fight against India in that campaign, he says, changed the perception of Omani cricket itself.
“For us, that game against India was like India’s 1983 World Cup moment — it changed the perception of what Oman cricket can achieve,” Kulkarni said.
“It gave our players the self-belief that they can compete at that level with the world's best."
“Modern cricket is about agility and anticipation,” Kulkarni said. “We’ve worked on cutting down errors, reading match situations better, and keeping composure under pressure. This team has the temperament and talent — now it’s about execution.”
Oman’s players, some of whom have been part of the national setup for years, have embraced this evolution in mindset.
Mendis credits much of that to the environment cultivated by Oman Cricket, where facilities, support systems, and player welfare have steadily improved. “The infrastructure today allows our players to train and compete with international standards. That’s been crucial to our growth,” he said.
The team’s core strength lies in its blend of experience and emerging talent. Veterans who have seen the highs and lows of international cricket now guide younger players hungry to make their mark.
The result, Mendis believes, is a squad that is both grounded and ambitious. “We are aware of the expectations,” he said. “The players know what is required. We’ve worked hard, and now it’s about executing the plans. Every match in this qualifier is crucial, and consistency will decide who goes through.”
Kulkarni agrees. “When we talk about Oman cricket today, it’s not just about participation — it’s about performance. The mindset has changed. The players walk out believing they can win, not just compete,” he said.
As the qualifiers begin on October 8, Oman carry not just the hopes of a nation, but the quiet confidence of a side that has already proved it can stand tall among the best.
The tournament will take place in two stages: a Group Stage from October 8 to 10, followed by a Super Six Stage from October 12 to 17.
The format is straightforward — teams are split into three groups of three, and the top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage.
At the end of the Super Six, the top three teams will earn their place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will feature 20 teams.
Group stage fixtures: October 8–10: Oman vs Samoa, UAE vs Qatar, Nepal vs Kuwait (Oct 8); Malaysia vs Qatar, Kuwait vs Japan, PNG vs Samoa (Oct 9); UAE vs Malaysia, Nepal vs Japan, Oman vs PNG (Oct 10).
Super Six stage: October 12–17: Top two teams from each group play four cross-group matches; top three teams qualify for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Group pairings: Group 1: UAE, Malaysia, Qatar; Group 2: Nepal, Kuwait, Japan; Group 3: Oman, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa.
