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Embarrassment For Oman As Cricket Captain Flees Over Unpaid T20 World Cup Prize Money

Akshita Patel

Oman cricket in jeopardy over unpaid dues [Source: @kaustats/X.com]Oman cricket in jeopardy over unpaid dues [Source: @kaustats/X.com]

In a dramatic turn of events, Oman's cricket team is going through a huge crisis with players being left unpaid for their involvement in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Even though the tournament was a record-setter in terms of prize money, the Omani cricketers have not been paid their dues of USD 225,000, and the team captain, Kashyap Prajapati, has left the country.

According to ICC rules, national boards must pay prize money within 21 days of a tournament's end. Oman finished between 13th and 20th place, qualifying for a payout. 

But when the players asked for clarity during a tri-series in Canada and again during the Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Oman, their concerns were ignored.

Oman Cricket Captain Kashyap Prajapati Flees To USA

In the aftermath of the unpaid dues, Oman cricket captain Kashyap Prajapati, who led the team in the global event, has now fled the country and moved to the United States in search of work. 

The reason? Their cricket contracts were reportedly cancelled, leaving players with no means of income or legal status in Oman. Now, many players have left the country after their employment visas, linked to their cricket contracts, were revoked.

"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?" Prajapati told Cricinfo.

Additionally, when the players were considering boycotting the Asia Cup as a protest, the board allegedly responded by dismissing them and replacing the team. Only 5 players from the original 15-man World Cup squad were allowed to play the first match. 

Interestingly, this isn’t an isolated incident. According to the World Cricketers' Association, 5 of the 20 nations that played in the 2024 T20 World Cup have not received full prize money either. 

Oman’s Asia Cup Participation In Jeopardy

Earlier this year, Oman made history by qualifying for the men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 for the first time. The team secured their qualification after finishing second at the 2024 ACC Men's Premier Cup held in Oman. Even though they lost to UAE in the final, Oman secured a top-two finish which gave them a spot in the new eight-team tournament. But with players leaving the country because of non-payment of funds, Oman's future in the Asia Cup remains uncertain.