ARABIAN TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Oman is poised to make history this September when it takes part in the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s cricketing journey. The tournament, scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28 this year, will see Oman compete alongside some of Asia’s most powerful cricketing nations in a format that promises excitement and opportunity. Drawn in Group A, Oman will face defending champions India, arch-rivals Pakistan, and hosts UAE.
For the players and coaching staff, the tournament presents a rare chance to test themselves against world-class opposition and gain invaluable experience on one of cricket’s biggest continental stages. The eight-team competition will be played in the T20 International format and will feature the five Asian Cricket Council (ACC) full-member nations, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, alongside Associate qualifiers UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong. Oman secured their place in the tournament after an impressive runners-up finish in the 2024 ACC Men’s Premier Cup.
The achievement highlighted the steady growth of cricket in the Sultanate and reinforced the team’s reputation as one of the strongest Associate sides in Asia. Their qualification is backed by a proven record in international T20 cricket. Oman remains the only Asian Associate nation to have qualified for three ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, appearing in the 2016, 2021, and 2024 editions. Their memorable victory over Ireland during their 2016 World Cup debut remains a landmark moment in the country’s cricketing history. Head coach Duleep Mendis believes the Asia Cup offers an extraordinary platform for his players.
The former Sri Lankan star described the tournament as a dream opportunity, emphasizing that competing against cricketing giants such as India and Pakistan is a challenge every Omani cricketer aspires to embrace. Confident in his squad’s preparation, Mendis stressed that the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket means any team can produce an upset on a given day. Oman Cricket treasurer Alkesh Joshi echoed those sentiments, describing qualification as the result of years of strategic planning, investment, and dedication.
He noted that sharing the stage with five Test-playing nations reflects the progress made by Omani cricket and provides a global platform to showcase its development. As anticipation builds, Oman’s players are preparing to seize their moment. Facing some of the continent’s biggest names, they enter the tournament as underdogs, but in T20 cricket, surprises are always possible, and Oman will be eager to prove they belong among Asia’s elite.
