Muscat – The dream of seeing an Oman team made up entirely of home-grown players compete at the Asian Games will become a reality soon as the all-Omani men’s cricket squad departed for Japan for the 20th edition of the multi-disciplinary Games in Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

This landmark participation in Japan represents another major step in the development of Oman cricket. 

After securing historic qualification in Singapore earlier this year, Oman will now take their place among Asia’s cricketing nations with a 15-member squad comprising entirely Omani players—the first time the Sultanate will compete at the Asian Games.

Oman are also the only GCC country competing in the men’s T20I cricket tournament, adding further significance to their appearance in Aichi-Nagoya.

For Oman Cricket, this occasion is the culmination of an ambition nurtured over several years.

 “We had planned and wished for an all-Omani team at the Asian Games for many years. Finally, we have one,” said Duleep Mendis, Oman Cricket Chief Development Officer. 

“Our boys did very well to qualify and make history in Singapore, and we are proud of them. We wish them the very best in Japan and are hopeful that the boys will give their best on their debut in the Asian Games.”

 Captain Sufyan Mehmood said the players were relishing the opportunity to represent Oman on such a major stage.

 “This is Oman’s debut in the Asian Games and it is a great opportunity for us to showcase our talent. We have trained hard and played practice games, and now it is time to deliver and reach the second round,” he said.

 “We have a young team, and playing good cricket will yield the desired results.”

 The project to develop this team began in March 2025 following the team’s inclusion in the Asian Games qualifiers. The players gained valuable international experience through a bilateral series against Bahrain in April 2025, which Oman lost 2-1 — a rare bilateral series between GCC cricketing nations.

 The biggest breakthrough came in the Asian Games qualifiers in Singapore in May 2026, where Oman defeated Singapore and Bahrain to earn their place in Aichi-Nagoya.

Oman Cricket backed the project with player contracts designed to encourage the cricketers to pursue the sport on a semi-professional basis. 

With support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, paid leave was arranged for the players, enabling them to devote more time to preparation.

 The squad has also been provided with facilities and preparation resources equal to those available to the men’s national team, including coaching, fitness and skills training. 

Oman Cricket funded the team’s requirements, player contracts and Asian Games participation independently, without corporate support or the organising council.

Former national senior team’s wicketkeeper-captain Sultan Ahmed is the coach of the team. 

 The men’s competition features 10 teams, with the six lower-seeded sides divided into two groups. 

Oman are in Group B alongside Hong Kong and Malaysia, while Group A comprises Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal.

The top two teams in each group advance to the quarter-finals, where heavyweights India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have already secured places with first round bye.

Oman begin their campaign against Hong Kong on September 25, before meeting Malaysia on September 26. 

A first-place finish in Group B would put Oman up against Bangladesh in the quarter-finals, while second place would mean a meeting with Pakistan.

 The quarter-finals will be played on September 28 and 29, the semi-finals on October 1, and the bronze-medal and gold-medal matches on October 3.

 For Oman’s young cricketers, the immediate challenge is to progress beyond the opening phase, but for Oman Cricket, the journey to Japan itself fulfils a long-standing vision – to develop a team of Omani players capable of representing the Sultanate at the highest continental level.

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

Support staff: Sultan Ahmed (head coach); Parviz Al Balushi (assistant coach); Said Haider Al Balushi (manager); Saravanan T (physiotherapist).