Jay Shah Backs Oman Cricket; Muscat Probes Ransom Calls in Indian Captain Case
Muscat has been at the center of two significant stories concerning the Indian community in Oman this week. In a high-profile cricket development, ICC Chairman Jay Shah visited Oman Cricket's headquarters during a private trip to the sultanate and backed the country's infrastructure ambitions for hosting more international fixtures — a visit that drew attention to the prominent role that leaders of Indian origin play in Oman Cricket's governance. Separately, a legal case with deep humanitarian stakes moved through India's Supreme Court, as the wife of a merchant navy captain — an Indian national who disappeared following a drone attack in the Strait of Hormuz — presented evidence of ransom calls to her family. Muscat authorities are now investigating those claims, drawing the attention of the Indian diaspora community across the Gulf.
🤝 ICC Chairman Jay Shah Endorses Oman Cricket's Plans for Permanent Infrastructure
ICC Chairman Jay Shah visited the Oman Cricket headquarters in Muscat during a private trip to the sultanate, lending high-level endorsement to the organization's infrastructure development plans. Shah met with OC President Pankaj Khimji, Vice-President Paul Sheridan, Treasurer Alkesh Joshi, Secretary Madhu Jesrani, board officials Syed Anwar, Chaitanya Khimji, and Damodar Katti, as well as chief development officer Duleep Mendis. He toured the facilities, met all-Omani national squads preparing for the Asian Games, and held discussions with the board on hosting opportunities. Shah praised Oman Cricket's pivotal contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country stepped up to host T20 World Cup matches in 2021 after the tournament was relocated from India. He said that while Oman's existing facilities are strong, permanent infrastructure — including dedicated spectator stands — would be essential for the country to host large-scale international fixtures regularly. Shah indicated the ICC could explore ways to support Oman's infrastructure plans, and flagged an upcoming Future Tours Programme bilateral workshop in Dubai as an opportunity for Oman to explore fixture agreements with other member boards. The visit drew attention to the Indian-origin leadership that has long underpinned cricket governance in Oman, where the South Asian diaspora forms a major share of the resident population and has been central to building the sport's institutional base in the Gulf. [1]
Muscat Authorities Probe Ransom Calls Linked to Missing Indian Ship Captain
Muscat authorities are examining alleged ransom calls made to the family of an Indian merchant navy captain who went missing following a drone attack in the Strait of Hormuz. The case reached India's Supreme Court after the missing captain's wife filed a petition seeking help in locating her husband and tracing the calls. As reported by Live Law, the court was informed that DNA testing of remains found in the area returned a negative result, leaving the captain's fate uncertain and his family in distress. The wife's legal counsel presented evidence of ransom demands she had received, prompting the court to direct coordination with Omani authorities in Muscat, who are now actively investigating the claims. The case highlights the acute dangers faced by Indian maritime workers operating in Gulf shipping lanes, where drone and missile strikes on commercial vessels have created recurring humanitarian emergencies in recent years. For the Indian diaspora in Oman and across the broader Gulf region, the incident resonates deeply — many families have members employed in the merchant shipping industry, and the risks of working in conflict-adjacent waters are well understood. Both the Indian government and Omani authorities have been urged by the victim's family to pursue the ransom leads urgently and with full coordination. [2]
Sources: [1] Muscat Daily · [2] Live Law