Experienced all-rounder Aqib Ilyas has been appointed as the captain of Oman for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will be co-hosted by West Indies and the USA from June 1-29. Ilyas took over the captaincy from long-serving skipper Zeeshan Maqsood, who led the team on 92 occasions.
The announced 15-member squad on Wednesday brings a few surprises. National team head coach and Oman Cricket’s chief development officer Duleep Mendis has shown confidence in his experienced players, with nine members of the squad having previously represented Oman in the T20 World Cup in 2021.
Among the six players making their debut at the T20 World Cup are specialist batters Kashyap Prajapati and Khalid Kail, wicketkeeper Pratik Athavale, spinner Shakeel Ahmad, and all-rounders Shoaib Khan and Rafiullah. Skipper Ilyas and Maqsood, along with Mohammad Nadeem, Ayaan Khan, Rafiullah, Mehran Khan, and Shoaib Khan, are designated as all-rounders.
Meanwhile, the pace attack will be led by Bilal Khan, Fayyaz Butt, and Kaleemullah. Shakeel Ahmad is the specialist spinner, supported by Ilyas, Maqsood, and Ayaan in the spin department. Athavale and Naseem Khushi will serve as the two wicketkeepers in the squad.
Oman made their debut appearance in the ICC T20 World Cup in 2016 in India, and four players from that squad – Maqsood, Nadeem, Mehran, and Bilal – continue to play pivotal roles for the national team.
This quartet was joined by Ilyas, Butt, Kaleemullah, Khushi, and Ayaan at the 2021 T20 World Cup, which was co-hosted by Oman and the UAE. Additionally, four reserves were announced on Wednesday, including Jatinder Singh, Samay Shrivastava, Sufyan Mehmood, and Jay Odedra.
‘Excited to take over as captain’: Aqib Ilyas
I am truly honoured to be entrusted with the captaincy,” said Aqib Ilyas, brimming with enthusiasm. “It’s a huge responsibility, and I aim to lead the team to many victories. We are preparing rigorously for the World Cup, and the recent ACC Premier Cup has provided us with invaluable preparation.”
Ilyas expressed his “thanks to Oman Cricket” for “believing in him”.
Oman squad: Aqib Ilyas (captain), Zeeshan Maqsood, Kashyap Prajapati, Naseem Khushi (wk), Pratik Athavale (wk), Ayaan Khan, Shoaib Khan, Mohammad Nadeem, Bilal Khan, Mehran Khan, Rafiullah, Kaleemullah, Fayyaz Butt, Shakeel Ahmad.
Reserves: Jatinder Singh, Sufyan Mehmood, Samay Shrivastava, Jay Odedra.
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