Muscat, June 3
All-rounder Sufyan Mehmood has become the first Omani captain to guide his all-Omani team into the 20th Asian Games in Japan after Oman sealed the qualification berth with their second win in the Asian Games Men’s Qualifier in Singapore.
After beating Singapore in their opening match of Group B, Oman defeated Bahrain by 20 runs at the Singapore National Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
Captain Sufyan told Oman Observer that it was a brilliant effort from the team, which consisted of 13 debutants.
“We had 13 debutants in the team, I am proud of our players who showed no stage-fear in clinching two back-to-back wins against hosts Singapore and Bahrain.”
Oman players came early enough in Singapore to acclimatise to the local conditions and the first win against the hosts was a great start.
“We beat Singapore at their home and we got used to the conditions quickly as we had landed early in the city,” the Oman skipper said.
Sufyan said Wednesday’s victory against Bahrain, who had earlier beat Oman in a series in Muscat, was special.
The medium pacer also took a wicket against Bahrain and that made him share the most T20I wickets for Oman in the last one year with Jiten Ramanandi. Both have 17 wickets to their credit.
Next aim is to claim the title of the Qualifiers, Sufyan, who remained 40 not out against Bahrain, said.
“We want to win the championship in Singapore. Our players are upbeat and confident for the semifinal,” he added.
The team, coached by former Oman skipper Sultan Ahmed, has been prepared through Oman Cricket’s all-Omani team project launched in March 2025.
“We have been training for almost two years and thanks to our coaches and the Oman Cricket officials, the players are in great shape and technique for the Qualifiers,” he said.
The T20I qualifiers, featuring 13 nations, is underway from May 31 to June 9.
Sufyan thanked Oman Cricket for his overall development as a cricketer along with his personal sponsors New Height Real Estate and Amtur Gold.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
