Following a series of significant developments, including the dismissal of head coach Stuart Law and Andries Gous’s withdrawal due to personal matters during their last international series in October, the 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has been reinstated in the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming Oman tour. As a player with extensive T20 experience, it remains uncertain if Gous will arrive in Oman on schedule for the first ODI on February 8, given his obligations with the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the ILT20, which concludes on February 9.
Likewise, the potential arrival of left-arm spinners Harmeet Singh and Nosthush Kenjige is unclear, as both are engaged with Sharjah Warriorz and MI Emirates respectively. Their uncertain schedules and Oman’s playing conditions may provide an opportunity for young leg spinner Yasir Mohammad, who has primarily been in the background during the previous USA tours. The announcement did not name a vice-captain, despite Aaron Jones being included in both white-ball squads. Jones had previously been omitted from the ODI squad during the October home series after opting for club commitments over national duties in the CPL but was brought in as a replacement following Gous’s departure.
The USA squad has welcomed the experienced all-rounder Steven Taylor back into their T20I lineup. The hard-hitting left-hander has not played a T20I since the World Cup in June, having been omitted from both white-ball teams following the Netherlands tour in August. Taylor’s path back was complicated by injuries, but his impressive performance with two centuries in the minor league, along with a strong display in the Guyana Global Super League, has earned him selection once again. The T20Is in Oman will also mark the return of the USA’s key player Ali Khan after a lengthy period of recovery from injuries and club obligations after the World Cup.
All-rounder Ali Sheikh has received a call-up to the T20I squad due to his steady domestic performances, highlighted by a century in the recently completed national 50-over championship. Sheikh returns to the USA team after a three-year absence, having last played during a COVID-affected tour against Ireland in December 2021.
