Saturday 26 / April / 2025
MUSCAT: With youth cricket steadily gaining momentum across the Sultanate, Oman’s Development Squad has taken centre stage this week in a historic bilateral T20 series against the visiting Bahrain national team.
The three-match contest, which got underway on Friday, April 25, at the Oman Cricket Academy Grounds in Al Amerat, marks the first official series between two GCC nations featuring all-national players—an unprecedented milestone for the region’s cricketing landscape.
Led by experienced all-rounder Sufyan Mehmood, the Omani Development Team represents the country’s growing pool of homegrown talent. The series is more than just a competitive fixture—it's a celebration of national representation and regional camaraderie.
“It’s an absolute honour to lead this talented group of Omani nationals,” said Mehmood ahead of the opener. “Many of these players have been involved in the sport for several years, and their commitment and hunger for growth is truly inspiring. We've been working hard for nearly an entire season, preparing ourselves for key opportunities ahead—particularly global multi-sport events like the Asian Games, which is a major milestone for us,” he added.
Mehmood, who has been a member of national senior team, said: “This bilateral series against the Bahraini Nationals is not just another contest—it’s a historic moment. It marks the first-ever official series between two GCC nations featuring all-national players, and that is a proud occasion for both countries and for cricket in the region. Our preparations have been intense and focused, and I can genuinely see a lot of promise in this squad. The energy, the talent, and the passion among the boys is exactly what you want as a captain. We're looking forward to putting in our best efforts, competing with pride, and hopefully bringing home a memorable series win for Oman.”
Two of the three games were played on the weekend with the final match on April 28 at 2pm—all taking place on the pristine Turf 1 at Oman Cricket Academy.
Omani Development Team: Sufyan Mehmood (Captain), Waheed Khalid Al Balushi, Issa Abdulrahim Al Balushi, Shoaib Ismail Al Balushi, Mohammed Ali Akbar Al Balushi, Majid Hussein Al Balushi, Rashad Mohammed Al Balushi, Sameer Othman Al Balushi, Ahmed Mukhtar Al Zadjali, Faris Khalid Al Balushi, Arif Majeed Al Balushi, Abbas Abdulaziz Al Balushi, Muzaffar Nasir Hasan Shiralkar, Waleed Rahim Baksh Al Balushi. Coach: Prasanth Chandran, manager: Said Haidar Al Balushi
Busy times for Oman Cricket
The Bahrain series comes amid a particularly hectic stretch for Oman Cricket, underscoring the board’s deep commitment to nurturing talent across all age groups and genders. The senior national team hosted a high-profile four-match series against Kerala, India’s Ranji Trophy runners-up, offering intense competition and valuable match exposure.
On the age-group front, the U19 squad took part in the ICC Asia U19 Qualifier in Nepal, while the U16 team is competing in an ACC tournament hosted in Qatar. The women’s national side also completed a promising tour to Dubai, continuing to build depth and experience within their ranks.
Adding to the packed calendar, the Karnataka state team from India is set to arrive this week for another eagerly anticipated series. These matches will form a key part of the senior team’s preparations for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series in the United States this May.
