Muscat: ICC Chairman Jay Shah Visits Oman Cricket as Indian Captain's Family Presses Supreme Court on Missing Case
Two significant stories involving Indian nationals put Muscat at the center of South Asian diaspora news this week. In a visit that touched directly on Oman's large Indian expat community and its deep involvement in cricket, ICC Chairman Jay Shah traveled privately to Muscat and met with Oman Cricket leadership—including several officials of Indian origin—to discuss infrastructure development, future international fixtures, and the board's debt-free financial position. At the same time, India's Supreme Court engaged with a case brought by the wife of Indian merchant navy captain Ashish Kumar, who went missing following a drone attack, with Muscat authorities being asked to examine claims related to ransom calls made to the captain's family.
🤝 ICC Chief Jay Shah Backs Oman Cricket Infrastructure Growth During Private Muscat Visit
International Cricket Council Chairman Jay Shah visited Oman's cricket headquarters during a private trip to Muscat, meeting with the Oman Cricket board and touring the organization's facilities in a visit reported by the Muscat Daily on September 6, 2026. Shah was briefed by a leadership team that reflects the Indian expat community's deep ties to Oman Cricket: OC President Pankaj Khimji, Vice-President Paul Sheridan, Treasurer Alkesh Joshi, Secretary Madhu Jesrani, and board officials including Syed Anwar, Chaitanya Khimji, and Damodar Katti, along with chief development officer Duleep Mendis. During the visit, Shah toured the cricket facilities and met the all-Omani national squad preparing for the Asian Games, as well as the under-19 boys, women's, and under-19 girls' teams. In discussions with the OC board, Shah recalled Oman's role during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Oman and the UAE stepped in to host matches after the ICC Men's T20 World Cup was relocated from India in 2021, praising Oman's work during that period. He indicated that the next step for Oman is to develop permanent infrastructure—particularly spectator stands—to qualify for hosting more major international fixtures, noting the existing setup is strong but permanent facilities are needed. Shah pointed to an upcoming Future Tours Programme bilateral workshop in Dubai later in September 2026 as an opportunity for Oman to explore bilateral series options. He also highlighted women's cricket progress in Oman and the national team's improved ranking. When informed by OC President Khimji that the board is debt-free, Shah responded that funding is not currently a problem for Oman Cricket and that commitment on the field remains the key priority. [1]
Indian Captain Ashish Kumar Missing After Hormuz Drone Attack; Wife Turns to Supreme Court as Muscat Authorities Probe R
India's Supreme Court took up a case involving Indian merchant navy captain Ashish Kumar, who went missing following a drone attack in the area of the Strait of Hormuz, in a legal proceeding initiated by the captain's wife that sought assistance in tracing ransom calls the family had received. The case was reported by Live Law, India's leading legal news publication, which noted that Muscat authorities had been asked to examine claims related to the ransom calls made to the captain's family. A DNA test conducted in connection with the case returned a negative result, according to the proceedings covered by Live Law. The wife's petition to the Supreme Court sought the court's assistance in compelling authorities—including those in Muscat—to investigate the origin and authenticity of the ransom demands, which the family apparently received after the captain went missing in the volatile maritime zone near the Strait of Hormuz. For the large Indian expat community in Muscat and across Oman, the case highlights the risks faced by Indian nationals working in the maritime sector in a region that has experienced recurring incidents of drone attacks and naval tensions. Merchant navy workers from India constitute a significant portion of the labor force operating in Gulf shipping lanes, and cases of missing sailors or crew members caught in conflict zones carry particular resonance for the diaspora. Muscat's role in the investigation—with local authorities actively examining the ransom claims—reflects the close consular and law enforcement cooperation that typically connects Indian government efforts to protect citizens abroad with Omani authorities. [2]
Sources: [1] Muscat Daily · [2] Live Law