Muscat – Oman concluded a competitive campaign in the GCC Women’s T20I Championship 2025 recently at the Oman Cricket Academy ground.
The hosts, led by Priyanka Mendonca, reached the final, reflecting growth, resilience, and a promising future for women’s cricket in the country.
Competing against the other five GCC nations from December 12 to 19, Oman shrugged off their opening loss to the eventual winners UAE to bounce back and win the next four games on the trot.
The final saw Oman post 84 for 7 in 20 overs, with Fiza Javed top-scoring with 17. UAE’s disciplined attack, led by Katie Thompson (2 for 10) and Esha Oza (2/21), curtailed Oman’s scoring.
The visitors chased down the total comfortably, reaching 85/1 in 12.3 overs, anchored by Samaira Dharnidharka (38) and Theertha Satish (25), with Oman captain Priyanka taking the lone wicket (1/26).
Reflecting on the campaign, Priyanka said, “Reaching the final itself shows how much we have progressed as a team. The preparations were good, and the girls responded well throughout the tournament. UAE is a very strong side with experienced players and more exposure at the international level. For us, the key takeaway is that we need to play more matches at this level to keep improving.”
Oman’s journey to the final was marked by commanding performances. After an initial 10-wicket defeat to UAE, the team rebounded emphatically, posting 203 for 3 against Saudi Arabia in a 167-run win, the tournament’s highest total.
Successful chases followed against Bahrain (9 wickets), Kuwait (9 wickets), and Qatar (6 wickets), showcasing Oman’s balance in batting and bowling.
The decisive win over Qatar highlighted the contributions of all-rounders Priyanka and Jayadhanyha Gunasekar, with Gunasekar scoring a composed 32 and Priyanka anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 37. Oman’s fielding and bowling discipline also proved vital in controlling the games and limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities.
Oman women’s team coach Desmond Berhardt said: “This experience provided valuable exposure and competitive cricket, which was highly beneficial. The introduction of DRS for the first time added an interesting element and tested the players’ decision-making skills.”
He added: “The girls played fearless cricket, and their results underlined it. I am extremely proud of the team, especially how they recovered after the opening loss to the UAE. We went on to win four consecutive games before losing to the UAE in the final. We saw significant improvement across all areas of their game. We recognise there are still areas that require attention, and this experience will certainly build confidence moving forward.”
While UAE’s dominance in the final underscored the experience gap, Oman’s overall performance across the tournament reflected a team on the rise.
The 2025 GCC Women’s T20I Championship was not just about the title, it was a week of learning, growth, and promise for Oman’s women cricketers on the regional stage.
