Oman all-rounder Sufyan Mehmood voiced confidence that Oman can pull off an upset in the Asia Cup. He expressed firm belief ahead of their debut opener against Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday, September 12.
Mehmood said, “In terms of preparation, when you play such games, you have to be fearless because there’s nothing to lose. To showcase your talent, you must remove the fear factor. Hopefully, we can challenge both sides and ensure it won’t be an easy cakewalk for them.”
He added, “If we continue playing good cricket, as we are right now, I’m confident we can even cause an upset. It may sound like a bold statement, but I genuinely believe that with our current form, we can make a strong impact in this tournament. We are staying positive about it.”
Historic Moment for Oman in Asia Cup
Oman will field a second-string squad due to contract disputes with the Oman Cricket Board. Mehmood stressed the importance of this Asia Cup campaign. It marks a historic chance to face giants like Pakistan and India.
He said, “Personally, this tournament holds immense value for us in our careers. Ever since we started playing cricket, we dreamed of competing against the giants of world cricket. Every moment of this tournament will be historic for us, especially in these two matches.”
Captain Jatinder Singh Excited to Meet Indian Stars
Captain Jatinder Singh is thrilled to face Indian stars. He highlighted the chance to interact with Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Abhishek Sharma.
He said, “Of course, players like Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Abhishek are exciting to watch because their styles are different. Shubman and Abhishek are top-order batters, while Suryakumar plays in the middle order, so naturally, their approaches vary.”
Jatinder continued, “I’m definitely looking forward to chatting with them, understanding their mindset, and learning how they prepare and execute their plans. It will be a great opportunity to meet them and have those discussions.”
Jatinder Singh Shares World Cup Experience
Jatinder reflected on his T20 World Cup successes. He scored 162 runs in five matches. His average stood at 40.50, with a 132.78 strike rate. His standout innings came with an unbeaten 73 against Papua New Guinea in 2021.
He urged newcomers to ease anxiety and focus on discipline. He said, “Yes, I have played two World Cups, but whenever I get the chance to speak with youngsters or newcomers in the team, I always tell them that their real journey begins once they make it into the side. From that point on, the most important thing is to enjoy the game. Don’t take unnecessary pressure—just focus on enjoying your cricket, and everything else will fall into place.”
He added, “Performance will always have its ups and downs, but what truly matters is having strong work ethics and a disciplined training regime. With that, you can achieve anything. I always emphasise this to the newcomers: stay in the present, trust your training, and play the game in the way you know best.”
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