Muscat – Oman Cricket on Wednesday unveiled its squad for the forthcoming Asian Games in Japan, where the Sultanate will script another chapter in its sporting history with an all-Omani team competing on one of Asia’s biggest multi-sport stages for the first time.

Led by captain Sufyan Mehmood, Oman earned their place at the continental showpiece after an outstanding qualifying campaign, underlining the rapid growth of cricket in the Sultanate and setting up an opportunity to challenge the region’s elite.

Oman secured qualification after an impressive campaign in the Asian Games Qualifier in Singapore, becoming one of four nations to book a place at the Games alongside Nepal, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

They will now join automatic entrants India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and hosts Japan in the 10-team men’s cricket competition.

The tournament draw has placed Oman in Group B alongside Malaysia and Hong Kong, while Group A comprises Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, where they will be joined by seeded giants India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The group-stage matches will be played on September 24, 25 and 26.

Describing the occasion as a landmark achievement for Omani cricket, Duleep Mendis, Chief Development Officer of Oman Cricket, said the team’s qualification was a proud moment for the nation.

“It is a historic occasion for our all-Omani team to represent the nation at the continental level. They have made us proud by qualifying in Singapore, and we hope they advance from their group to the quarterfinals of the Asian Games, where the heavyweights of Asian cricket will be waiting,” Mendis said.

“We wish them the very best and under the able captaincy of Sufyan, we are hopeful of a good show,” he added.

Oman squad: Sufyan Mehmood (captain), Muzaffar Shiralkar, Mohammed Ali Al Balushi, Zubair Al Balushi, Shuaib Al Balushi, Nawed Al Balushi, Wasim Al Balushi, Ahmed Zadjali, Sameer Othman, Waheed Al Balushi, Faris Al Balushi, Mohammed Osman, Issa Rahim Al Balushi, Abdul Jalil and Qais Al Balushi.

Support staff: Head coach – Sultan Ahmed; assistant coach – Parviz Al Balushi; manager – Said Haider Al Balushi; physiotherapist – Saravanan