Oman announce to team for CWC League 2 Namibia tri-series in Windhoek

MUSCAT: Oman cricket has entered a new chapter under Sulakshan Kulkarni, who took over as head coach on March 1. Ahead of the Namibia tri-series, Kulkarni has been preparing the team and worked closely with Oman Cricket as the squad for the tournament was finalised.

The team aims to bounce back in the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) League 2 after a disappointing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign in Sri Lanka. Kulkarni’s first major assignment as head coach is the Namibia tri-series, where Oman face hosts Namibia and Scotland in Windhoek starting in early April.

These matches are a crucial part of the qualification pathway for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, making every run and wicket pivotal. The series also signals the start of the post-Duleep Mendis era.Sri Lankan great Mendis, who led Oman for nearly 14 years, oversaw the team’s rise on the global Associate cricket stage.

Kulkarni now guides a squad eager to move on from the disappointment of the T20 World Cup, with the Namibia tour marking the team’s first major challenge under his leadership. Shifting focus: From T20I to ODIsKulkarni stressed that transitioning from T20 to 50-over cricket requires a mindset overhaul. “My first assignment as head coach is the Namibia tour,” he said. “We have to move from T20 mode to one-day mode. It’s a big difference - from 120 balls to 300 balls.

One-day cricket tests patience, technique, and cricketing intelligence. Players need strong game awareness and the ability to execute plans over long periods.”He emphasised that the team is already gearing up for this tactical shift. “With my dedicated and professional support staff, we are preparing meticulously for the League 2 series. Thanks to Oman Cricket, I have the required staff to help us get ready with the 2027 World Cup in mind,” Kulkarni said.

The squad for Namibia reflects a blend of experience and returning talent, led by captain Jatinder Singh and vice-captain Vinayak Shukla. Both the players served the role during the T20 World Cup campaign.“I am quite happy with the squad. It’s well balanced, and I’m confident of my boys performing well on the Namibia tour,” Kulkarni said.

The team also sees the return of Mujibur Ali and Pruthvi Machhi, strengthening key areas ahead of the demanding series.Kulkarni said the team has a perfect blend of specialist batters, all-rounders, spinners and fast bowlers.“We have a good mix and will follow a horses-for-courses policy based on the pitch and weather conditions,” he added.Kulkarni’s coaching team brings fresh expertise aimed at refining Oman’s tactical approach.

Assistant coach Ashim Narang and performance analyst Shyam Iyer are providing crucial new insights.“The support staff is crucial in our team’s preparations,” Kulkarni said. “With Narang’s coaching inputs and Iyer’s analysis, we can better plan strategies, monitor performance, and make informed decisions during our preparations and matches.”The full backroom team includes manager Zeeshan Siddiqui, strength and conditioning coach Shiva Manhas, physiotherapist Ashish Awasthi, and masseur Bashir Ahmad, ensuring players receive comprehensive preparation and recovery support.

 Focus on preparationsPreparations are central to Kulkarni’s philosophy. He has stressed batting discipline and match awareness in practice sessions.“The boys are responding well. In practice matches, we focused on batting in the ‘V’ region and staying at the crease and it was encouraging to see batters consistently taking singles during the practice games.

That discipline will be crucial in ODIs,” Kulkarni explained.He added, “Preparations build confidence. As a coach, my focus is to give players the best possible tools and training. But on the field, it’s the players who have to give their exam.”Kulkarni is determined that the T20 World Cup losses do not define Oman’s future.“We were disappointed with our performance in Sri Lanka, but that is behind us,” he said. 

“The one-dayers give us a fresh opportunity. I am confident that with the right preparations, the team can bring positive results and win games in the upcoming tri-series, followed by the Nepal tri-series. These two series are key to our top-four finish in this stage. ”He reiterated his process-oriented approach: “We focus on taking one game at a time.

Obsessing over points or standings only creates unnecessary pressure. If we prepare well and execute our plans, the results will follow.”For Oman, the Namibia tour is more than a set of matches - it’s a defining moment for a team in transition. With Kulkarni’s fresh approach, a well-balanced squad, and a strengthened support staff bringing new tactical know-how, Oman look to continue their good run in League 2 and maintain momentum toward the 2027 World Cup.“Now we go out there, compete hard, and let the results follow,” Kulkarni signed off.

Tour and match scheduleOman will depart on March 23, arriving early in Windhoek to acclimatise. Two practice matches and multiple training sessions are scheduled before official fixtures begin on April 2.Tri-series schedule (Oman matches): April 2: vs Scotland, April 4: vs Namibia, April 8: vs Scotland, April 10: vs Namibia. (All matches start at 11:30 am Oman time.)

Oman squad: Jatinder Singh (captain), Vinayak Shukla (vice-captain), Ashish Odedra, Pruthvi Machhi, Hammad Mirza, Mujibur Ali, Karan Sonavale, Mohammad Nadeem, Jiten Ramanandi, Shakeel Ahmad, Jay Odedra, Shah Faisal, Hassnain Ali Shah, Muhammed Imran, Samay Shrivastava. 

SEPARATE BOX CWC League 2 format The CWC League 2 tournament offers a qualification pathway for the 2027 ODI World Cup to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Out of the 14 teams to play in the main tournament, ten Full Member sides go through based on rankings and host status, and the other four through a qualification process. 

The CWC League 2 is an eight-team competition that runs over three years. The top four teams from that go through to a World Cup qualifier. The qualifier is a ten-team event, made up of the two bottom-ranked Full Members in the ODI rankings (other than South Africa and Zimbabwe, whose rankings don't matter), the top four teams from CWC League 2, and the top four teams from a World Cup Qualifier Playoff. 

Out of these ten teams, the top four advance to the World Cup. USA currently lead the points table in the CWC League 2 after having played 24 matches with 36 points. Scotland have 30 points and the Netherlands have 28 points from 24 games. Oman are fourth and have 24 points but from 20 games.

Earlier this month, six matches of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 to take place in Kirtipur, Nepal, were postponed because of the military conflict in West Asia.The matches were to be played from March 10 to 20, between Oman, UAE and Nepal, all at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.