SWOT Analysis of Oman Cricket Team Ahead of Asia Cup 2025 | UAE Asia Cup Preview

Oman are set to embark on a new cricketing adventure. Their entry into the Asia Cup 2025 marks a pivotal moment in their cricketing journey as they look poised to make their maiden appearance in the subcontinental tournament. Their Asia Cup debut begins with their opening game against Pakistan on September 12. Placed in Group A, alongside India and the UAE, Oman will play all its league fixtures in Dubai International Stadium. 

The careful blend of youthful promise and experienced leadership, combined with determined coaching, provides a solid foundation for Oman in the Asia Cup. Yet, the pressures of facing elite teams, squad volatility, and players’ inexperience on such grand stages remain significant hurdles. Spearheaded by Jatinder Singh, if Oman manages to harness their momentum, nurture their rising stars, and maintain composure under pressure, then they could not only make a statement in their debut Asia Cup campaign but also pave the way for their ascendancy in Asian cricket.

With that being said, here is a quick SWOT analysis that will help you gauge the depth of the current Oman squad better.

See also: Top 3 players to watch from Oman ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Strengths

• Historic Qualification & Experience in T20s: Oman earned their place in the Asia Cup by finishing as runners-up in the 2024 ACC Premier Cup, showcasing strong regional credentials. In fact, they’re the only Asian associate nation to have qualified for the T20 World Cup on three occasions (2016, 2021, 2024).
• Motivated Coaching Team with Competitive Focus: With Sri Lankan legend Duleep Mendis at the helm and recently appointed deputy head coach Sulakshan Kulkarni, Oman brings a blend of experience and strategic vision. Kulkarni’s rallying statement, which reads the following: "Don't just participate. Just compete" highlights the high standards and the determined mindset of the coaching staff.
• Experienced Leadership & Emerging Talent: The squad is led by veteran opener Jatinder Singh, a seasoned international with over 125 caps and 3,100+ runs across formats. Meanwhile, four uncapped players, most notably Sufyan Yousuf, Zikriya Islam, Faisal Shah, and Nadeem Khan, bring fresh energy and unpredictability. 
• Balanced Squad Composition: The team features a heavy emphasis on all-rounders, providing depth across both batting and bowling. A mix of spin options (e.g., Shakeel Ahmed) and pace variety adds tactical flexibility, too. 
• Diversity and Overseas Talent Pool: Oman has strengthened its squad by welcoming talented expatriates, including players from India and Pakistan, who have a demonstrated record in first-class and List-A cricket.

Weakness

• Inexperienced Core and Disrupted Cohesion: Oman’s squad for this Asia Cup features several uncapped players and has undergone recent structural changes. Missing out on stalwarts like Aqib Ilyas, Zeeshan Maqsood, and Bilal Khan, due to internal disputes, has considerably hindered the competitive edge of the team.
• Lack of Exposure to High-Pressure Matches: While Oman has performed well in qualifiers, their record against full-member powerhouses remains unproven. They went winless in their most recent T20 World Cup appearance in 2024, indicating a gap in performance consistency and vulnerability at the highest level.
• Risk of Middle-Order Fragility: As seen in previous global tournaments, the middle order has occasionally faltered, lacking reliability when top-order wickets fall.

Opportunities

• First Asia Cup Appearance: This debut offers Oman a rare chance to compete against giants like India and Pakistan, which could bolster confidence and international recognition.
• Upset Potential in T20 Format: T20 cricket's unpredictable nature means a single exceptional over can tilt matches—Oman could leverage this to spring surprises.
• Exposure and Development of New Talent: Participation allows uncapped players to gain invaluable experience, thus facilitating the acceleration of the growth of Oman’s cricketing depth.
• Rallying the Nation & Enhancing Profile: A strong performance, or even one high-profile upset, could further raise cricket’s profile in Oman and inspire further institutional support.

Threats

• A Stacked Group (India, Pakistan & UAE): Placed in the so-called “Group of Death”, Oman faces formidable opposition in the group stage, making advancement to the Super 4 a steep climb.
• Squad Instability from Management Disputes: Prior pay-related disputes have already led to the bans and the sidelining of key players, which has significantly depleted their squad. Although these issues have now been put to rest, it does serve as a lingering reminder of off-field volatility that can affect team morale and focus.
• Pressure on Debutants: Young and uncapped athletes may struggle to cope with the pressure of performing on cricket’s biggest continental stage, impacting their execution in crunch moments