Oman players denied ICC T20 World Cup 2024 prize money

Nearly a year after participating in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Oman's cricketers are in a tie with their board over unpaid prize money of US$ 2,25,000. While the event, held in the USA and the Caribbean, witnessed a record-breaking prize pool, but not for Oman’s players.

The Kashyap Prajapati-led team, the T20 World Cup was supposed to be a high point in their careers, playing against teams like England and Australia at the highest level. Oman did not register a win, but for an Associate nation, just participating was a huge achievement. However, currently, Prajapati is in the United States asking for work after being forced to leave Oman in the aftermath of a pay dispute with the cricket board.

"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 ESPNcricinfo.

Oman cricketers allege prize money denial, intimidation after T20 world cup

Meanwhile, the ICC (International Cricket Council) had set a clear policy of member boards must distribute the prize money to their squads within 21 days of the tournament’s conclusion. Oman finished between 13th and 20th, making them eligible for the allotted prize money. The ICC confirmed that this amount was duly transferred to Oman Cricket, yet none of it was given to the players.

The team raised multiple issues, first during a tri-series in Canada, and again before the T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup hosted in Oman. However, their concerns were ignored on each occasion. When they threatened to boycott the Emerging Teams tournament unless they received clarity and assurance, the board allegedly reacted by removing them from the squad. Players were told there were replacements ready and were asked to leave the team hotel.

Only five players from the original 15-man World Cup squad featured in the tournament opener against the UAE. Many former team players have left the country after their employment visas, connected to their cricket contracts, were revoked.

According to the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA), five of the 20 teams at the 2024 T20 World Cup have not received their full prize payments. In several cases, players were intimidated or misled by their boards. The WCA stated that some boards took advantage of players’ lack of awareness and tried to withhold or partially pay prize money.