Aamir Kaleem’s omission from Oman’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad is one of the most emotional and debated selection calls, especially given his inspirational performances earlier in the year. However, the decision becomes clearer when viewed through the lens of recent tournament performance, role clarity, and squad balance. He would possibly have been the oldest among players in T20 World Cup 2026 squads if he had been picked.
T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier: Numbers That Hurt His Case
Despite his reputation and leadership value, Kaleem’s Asia & EAP Qualifier returns were well below par, particularly with the bat. In five matches, he scored just 46 runs at an average of 9.20 and a strike rate of 73.01, the lowest among Oman’s top-order options. In a tournament where Oman needed momentum-setting contributions at the top, Kaleem struggled to rotate strike or accelerate, managing no scores above 28.
With the ball, his impact was limited as well. Kaleem bowled only four overs across two innings, picking up 2 wickets at an average of 12.50 and an economy of 6.25. While respectable, these numbers were overshadowed by standout performances from bowlers like Jiten Ramanandi (11 wickets at 8.45) and Nadeem Khan (11 wickets at 8.90), who offered greater consistency.
Aamir Kaleem in the Asia Cup
Kaleem’s omission is particularly striking because it comes just months after his heroic Asia Cup showing, highlighted by a fighting 64 against India and a two-wicket haul in the same match. That performance, played through cramps, dehydration, and injury, was widely seen as one of the great associate-nation innings.
But selectors appear to have prioritised what Oman are now, not what Kaleem once represented. The Asia Cup was a different context, exposure-heavy, developmental, and against elite opposition. The Asia & EAP Qualifier, however, was a results-driven pathway event, and Kaleem’s form dipped sharply when qualification was on the line.
Aamir Kaleem’s return to Oman’s national side is one of the most remarkable comeback stories in associate cricket, made even more striking by the fact that his playing career had effectively transitioned into coaching.
At 42, he had settled into a coaching role and was already making a significant impact off the field, guiding Oman to the Under-19 World Cup Division 2 Asia Qualifiers title in Thailand. But when Oman cricket was thrown into crisis because 11 senior players withdrew from the squad in protest over unpaid prize money from the previous T20 World Cup, Kaleem was summoned back.
Oman squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Jatinder Singh (c), Vinayak Shukla (vc), Mohammad Nadeem, Shakeel Ahmad, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonavale, Faisal Shah, Nadeem Khan, Sufyan Mehmood, Jay Odedra, Shafiq Jan, Ashish Odedra, Jiten Ramanandi, Hasnain Ali Shah
For T20 World Cup 2026, Oman’s squad composition suggests a deliberate transition. With younger all-rounders like Wasim Ali, Jay Odedra, and Karan Sonavale coming in, Oman have leaned towards players who can offer sustained impact across a full tournament rather than moments of brilliance.
Aamir Kaleem’s exclusion is not a reflection of a lack of respect, but a hard selection call shaped by recent form in the Asia & EAP Qualifier, where Oman’s World Cup place was truly earned.
In short, Aamir Kaleem wasn’t left out for who he is, but for what Oman needed right now.
