Oman have announced a 17-member squad for next month`s Asia Cup, their first outing in the tournament, with experienced opener Jatinder Singh set to lead the side.

The group carries a mix of familiar names and new faces. Four cricketers - Sufyan Yousuf, Zikriya Islam, Faisal Shah and Nadeem Khan - are in line for international debuts, a sign of the selectors` willingness to gamble as the team prepares for the biggest stage they`ve ever played on.

Oman find themselves in Group A alongside Pakistan, India and hosts UAE, a daunting draw by any measure. But head coach Duleep Mendis is trying to strike a balance between excitement and realism.

"It`s a fantastic opportunity for us. Playing India or Pakistan - that`s what every cricketer dreams of," he said. "One good over can change a T20 game, so we`re here to compete, not just turn up."

The squad looks slightly different from the one that featured in last year`s T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. Regulars like Aamir Kaleem and Mohammed Nadeem remain, while the likes of Sufyan Mehmood, Aryan Bisht and Karan Sonavale add depth.

Oman`s preparations have included their national T20 tournament and a string of high-intensity camps at home.

For a country that only entered the international fold in the past decade, the chance to line up against Asia`s giants marks a new chapter. Oman open against Pakistan on September 12, face UAE on September 15 and finish their group games against India on September 19.

Oman Asia Cup squad: Jatinder Singh (c), Hammad Mirza, Vinayak Shukla, Sufyan Yousuf, Ashish Odedera, Aamir Kaleem, Mohammed Nadeem, Sufyan Mehmood, Aryan Bisht, Karan Sonavale, Zikriya Islam, Hassnain Ali Shah, Faisal Shah, Muhammed Imran, Nadeem Khan, Shakeel Ahmad, Samay Shrivastava.