Pakistan produced a commanding performance in their Asia Cup 2025 opener, dismantling Oman by 93 runs in Dubai. A superb half-century from Mohammad Haris and clinical bowling from Pakistan’s spinners set the tone for a one-sided contest as Oman folded for just 67 runs while chasing 161.
Pakistan’s Innings: Haris Leads the Way
Choosing to bat first, Pakistan’s start was far from ideal. Young opener Saim Ayub was dismissed for a golden duck in the very first over, leaving the side under early pressure.
However, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris steadied the innings in style. Partnering with Sahibzada Farhan, the pair stitched together a crucial 85-run stand off 64 deliveries. Farhan played a cautious knock of 29 from 29 balls, while Haris took charge with his aggressive intent.
- Haris reached his half-century in just 32 balls.
- His innings of 63 off 43 was decorated with seven boundaries and three sixes, showcasing his ability to combine power with placement.
The partnership provided Pakistan with a solid platform, but Oman hit back strongly in the 12th over. Haris was dismissed first, followed immediately by Salman Ali Agha, who fell attempting an ambitious shot. The double strike halted Pakistan’s momentum, and a mini-collapse ensued.
Still, late cameos from Mohammad Nawaz (19 off 10) and Fakhar Zaman (23 off 16)* ensured Pakistan closed on a competitive 160 in their allotted 20 overs.
For Oman, Aamir Kaleem and Shah Faisal were the standout bowlers, each claiming three wickets to prevent Pakistan from posting a bigger total.
Oman’s Chase: Spinners Seal the Deal
Chasing 161 was always going to be an uphill task for Oman, but their innings unraveled far quicker than expected. Opener Jatinder Singh was bowled by Saim Ayub for just one run in the second over, setting the tone for a difficult night.
A brief counterattack came through Hammad Mirza and Aamir Kaleem, who added 22 runs off 12 balls. But once Aamir departed for 13, the chase collapsed spectacularly.
From 24-2 in the third over, wickets tumbled in clusters:
- Double strikes in the 7th and 8th overs broke Oman’s middle order.
- None of the batters could withstand Pakistan’s relentless spin attack.
- Oman eventually crumbled to 67 all out in 16.4 overs.
For Pakistan, it was a collective bowling display:
- Sufiyan Muqeem (2 wickets)
- Faheem Ashraf (2 wickets)
- Saim Ayub (2 wickets, including the opener’s dismissal)
The spinners exploited the conditions beautifully, mixing flight and turn to leave Oman’s batters clueless.
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Key Performances That Defined the Match
- Mohammad Haris’ Fifty
- His fearless 63 turned the innings around after the early setback.
- Played both anchor and aggressor, guiding Pakistan to a safe total.
- Partnership with Farhan
- The 85-run stand was the backbone of Pakistan’s innings. Without it, a collapse could have left them with a below-par score.
- Spin Domination
- Muqeem, Ayub, and Faheem shared six wickets between them.
- Their control and variations stifled Oman’s scoring opportunities.
Tactical Takeaways
- Pakistan’s Flexibility: The batting lineup showed resilience despite losing early wickets. Haris’ adaptability in switching gears proved crucial.
- Spin as the Trump Card: On slow Dubai pitches, Pakistan’s decision to rely heavily on spinners worked to perfection. This could be a template for future matches in the tournament.
- Oman’s Weakness Against Spin: Their inability to rotate strike against quality spin bowling exposed a significant flaw, one that stronger teams may also look to exploit.
Playing XIs
Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed
Oman XI: Aamir Kaleem, Jatinder Singh (capt), Hammad Mirza, Vinayak Shukla (wk), Hassnain Shah, Shah Faisal, Mohammad Nadeem, Zikria Islam, Sufyan Mehmood, Shakeel Ahmed, Samay Shrivastava
Final Verdict
Pakistan’s 93-run victory sends a strong message to their rivals in the Asia Cup 2025. With Haris finding form and the spinners performing as a unit, they look well-equipped for the challenges ahead.
For Oman, this heavy defeat highlights the gap between them and top-tier sides. To stay competitive in the tournament, they will need to regroup quickly, especially in handling spin-heavy attacks. As the competition intensifies, Pakistan’s blend of youth and experience might just give them the edge they need to go deep in the tournament.
