Tuesday 22 / April / 2025
MUSCAT: As the ACC Men’s U16 West Zone Cup 2025 kicks off on April 23 in Qatar, the Oman U16 cricket team arrived in Doha with quiet confidence, a well-balanced squad, and the ambition to make their mark on the regional stage.
Led by skipper Aryan Joshi, who joins the team fresh from the ICC U19 CWCQ Asia in Nepal along with Kavish Shah and Vignesh Karthikeyan, the squad is a vibrant mix of talent and youthful promise.
Under the guidance of head coach Parviz Al Balushi, the team has shaped through a comprehensive selection process and rigorous training schedule.
“We had more than 60 picked players from different schools and clubs participating in Oman’s junior domestic league to conduct selections from,” said Al Balushi.
“We picked the best squad that would suit the conditions along with match our team combination for the way we want to play our cricket.”
That combination, Parviz added, is built not just on talent, but on cohesion and tactical clarity.
“The side have gelled well and the team combination looks settled. We have worked along the fitness of the players initially, phasing into the skills with target-specific net sessions and a series of practice games to give our boys a solid preparation,” he said.
Several members of the team also play in Oman’s senior domestic leagues, bringing with them a level of maturity that belies their age. From top-order resilience to bowling depth, Oman’s squad offers versatility across departments.
“This is a unique composition of experience and youth at this level,” Al Balushi said. “We are evenly stable with our batting and bowling unit, which allows us to be flexible with our positive plans.”
Oman launch their campaign against Saudi Arabia on April 23 at 9:30am. The tournament continues with matches against Bahrain (April 25), hosts Qatar (April 28), Kuwait (May 1), and UAE (May 3), followed by the final on May 5, offering a demanding yet exciting fixture list.
The long-serving coach believes this tournament is more than just a competitive outing—it’s a crucial step in the developmental journey of the players.
“This tour certainly is pivotal for the U16 boys in terms of the exposure and experience they will reap out of this, enabling a smoother transition to U19 cricket,” he said. “The team believes that this is the right opportunity to express the efforts put into the game from their young age and to make the most out of the tournament. We want to trust and believe in ourselves and our process to expect positive results.”
Squad: Aryan Joshi (captain), Kavish Shah, Mohammad Aseel, Guransh Singh, Christo Tredoux, Vihaan Sanjay Chauhan, Mohammad Eisa, Arav Pillai, Mathew Samuel Kevin, Sethmina Devin, Shravan Sharat, Hafiz Mohamed , Vignesh Karthikeyan, Ayush Shetty. Coach: Parviz Al Balushi, Assistant coach: Amir Ali, Manager: Sher Mohd Al Balushi.
