Muscat: Oman Cricket (OC) has confirmed that the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 prize money of USD 225,000 will be disbursed to the full squad — players and support staff — by July 2025, in accordance with ICChttps://www.icc-cricket.com/ regulations.
The OC board’s confirmation follows multiple emergency meetings over the last eight months regarding the disbursement delay, which the board said was procedural and dependent on post-event clarifications from the ICC.
Walkout before ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup
The issue escalated in October 2024, when 11 senior players — including then captain Aqib Ilyas and former skipper Zeeshan Maqsood — withdrew from national duty just hours before Oman’s participation in the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup held in Muscat.
Although concerns over prize money delays were raised, OC Chairman Pankaj Khimji had repeatedly assured players that full payments would be made once ICC confirmation was received. Despite these assurances, the players refused to play, jeopardizing Oman’s international commitments.
“To walk out at the last moment — just hours before representing the nation — was not only irresponsible, but an insult to the entire team, coaching staff, board, and most importantly, the nation,” said Pankaj Khimji.
Board terminates contracts, suspends players
The OC Board met in emergency sessions and terminated the central contracts of the 11 players, also barring them from national and domestic cricket. The players suspended include:
- Aqib Ilyas
- Zeeshan Maqsood
- Ayaan Khan
- Kashyap Prajapati
- Shoaib Khan
- Ahmed Fayyaz Butt
- Pratik Athavale
- Kaleemullah
- Rafiullah
- Naseem Khushi
- Khalid Kail
Khimji called the walkout a coordinated act of “blackmail” and accused the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) of instigating unrest.
“The WCA played an active role in destabilising the team environment. This was not protest, but provocation,” Khimji said.
New leadership fuels revival
Following the controversy, a new squad led by Jatinder Singh was assembled. Despite limited preparation time, the team has thrived, winning 9 out of 11 matches in the ongoing ICC World Cup League 2.
“The new squad has played with heart, discipline, and responsibility — everything the national jersey should represent,” said OC Treasurer Alkesh Joshi.
Steps toward transparency and structure
OC has formed an internal committee to improve communication around player payments and build a more transparent remuneration system going forward.
“We will ensure players are never left uncertain — but we also expect professional commitments to be honoured,” said Joshi.
OC reiterated that players have significantly benefited from its investments, including ICC funding spent on development and infrastructure.
“Our doors are open to talent, but closed to indiscipline,” said Khimji. “We will always support our players — but they must honour the badge they wear.”
