Last June, Oman cricket team participated in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA, competing against top teams like England and Australia. Despite finishing in the 13th–20th position bracket and earning US$225,000 in prize money from the ICC, the players have not received any of these funds from the Oman Cricket Board, even a year after the tournament concluded.
Consequences for the Players
Squad Overhaul and Exile: Almost the entire Oman squad from the 2024 T20 World Cup is no longer part of the national setup. Many players have left Oman altogether, as their employment visas—tied to their cricket contracts—were revoked following the dispute.
Loss of Livelihood: Players like Kashyap Prajapati and Fayyaz Butt described being forced to leave the country, losing their spots in the team, and having their contracts terminated. Many are now seeking alternative employment abroad, with Prajapati currently in the United States.
Boycott and Retaliation: The issue escalated when players threatened to boycott the T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup unless the prize money was paid. The Oman Cricket Board responded by replacing the entire squad before the tournament and instructing the original players to vacate their hotel accommodations.
ICC and World Cricketers Association Response
- ICC Guidelines: The ICC mandates that all prize money from its events be distributed to players within 21 days of the tournament’s end. The ICC confirmed it had transferred the funds to the Oman Cricket Board, but the board did not pass it on to the players.
- Wider Issue: The World Cricketers Association (WCA) highlighted that Oman is not alone—five of the 20 teams from the 2024 T20 World Cup reportedly have not received their full prize payments. The WCA criticized the lack of mechanisms to protect players and ensure timely payment, calling for reforms.
Current Situation
- New Squad: Oman Cricket has fielded a completely new team, with none of the 2024 World Cup squad members currently involved.
- Player Careers Impacted: Many former players are now out of professional cricket and struggling to find new livelihoods, with their careers effectively ended due to the dispute.
Player Voices
“Our lives have been upended over this issue; we’ve lost our spot in the team, our contracts have been torn up, and we have been forced to leave the country. It’s just so confusing and we don’t understand why the ICC isn’t able to ensure we get paid the prize money we have earned, and why there isn’t a safe space for us to raise concerns?”
— Kashyap Prajapati, former Oman cricketer
Conclusion
The refusal of Oman Cricket to distribute the T20 World Cup prize money has led to the dismantling of the national squad, forced player exile, and ended several cricketing careers. Despite clear ICC rules and international pressure, the issue remains unresolved, highlighting broader governance and player protection concerns in global cricket.
