Asia Cup 2025: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) delivered a commanding performance to overcome Oman by 42 runs in Match 7 of the Asia Cup 2025 T20 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. After a tough defeat in their tournament opener against India, the hosts showed resilience and quality, producing a balanced display with both bat and ball to keep their campaign alive.
UAE’s Batting: Strong Start, Big Partnerships
Determined to make a statement in front of their home crowd, UAE began their innings with intent. Openers Alishan Sharafu and Muhammad Waseem set the tone early, racing to 50 without loss by the end of the powerplay.
- Alishan Sharafu impressed with a fluent 51 off 38 deliveries, striking boundaries at regular intervals before falling to Jiten Ramanandi in the 11th over.
- Muhammad Waseem carried the momentum, reaching his half-century in style with a six during the 15th over, further consolidating UAE’s dominance.
The middle order provided timely cameos, and despite losing wickets in the latter stages, the hosts kept the scoreboard moving. A crucial 18-run penultimate over pushed their total past 170, finishing with 172/5 in 20 overs.
Oman’s Bowling: Ramanandi Stands Out
While Oman’s bowling struggled for control overall, there were a few positives to take away.
- Jiten Ramanandi was the standout performer, delivering a tidy spell of 2/24 in four overs, breaking UAE’s partnerships and keeping the scoring rate in check.
- In contrast, Shah Faisal endured a difficult evening, conceding 45 runs in his full quota of overs, while Aamir Kaleem leaked 14 runs in just one over and did not return to the attack.
The inability to contain UAE’s aggressive batting in the death overs allowed the hosts to post a total that looked challenging on a slightly two-paced surface.
Oman’s Chase Falters Under Pressure
Chasing 173 was always going to test Oman’s batting depth, and their reply unraveled quickly.
- Opener Aamir Kaleem had a nightmare outing, dismissed for 2 off 2 balls in the very first over.
- Skipper Jatinder Singh tried to inject some momentum with a brisk 20 off 10 balls, but his dismissal in the powerplay left Oman reeling.
- By the end of the sixth over, half of Oman’s lineup was already back in the pavilion, leaving the required run rate climbing steeply.
The only real resistance came from T20I debutant Aryan Bisht, who battled hard for a 32-ball 32. However, his dismissal in the 13th over effectively ended Oman’s slim hopes. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 130 in 18.4 overs, falling well short of the target.
UAE’s Bowling: Junaid Siddique Leads the Charge
If UAE’s batting set up the win, their bowlers ensured it was sealed without drama.
- Junaid Siddique was sensational, producing match-winning figures of 4/23 with his pace and accuracy.
- He found excellent support from Haider Ali (2/22 in four overs) and Muhammad Jawadullah (2/18 in three overs), who combined to keep constant pressure on Oman’s struggling batters.
- The bowlers attacked relentlessly, exploiting Oman’s lack of stability and wrapping up the innings well before the final over.
Key Highlights from the Match
- UAE’s Openers Shine – The Sharafu-Waseem partnership laid the perfect foundation for a competitive score.
- Ramanandi’s Discipline – The Omani bowler was the lone bright spot in an otherwise expensive bowling display.
- Oman’s Early Collapse – Losing quick wickets in the powerplay proved decisive, leaving no room for recovery.
- Junaid Siddique’s Impact – His four-wicket haul was the standout bowling performance of the game.
Analysis: UAE Prove Their Mettle
This victory was more than just two points for the UAE. After being outclassed by India in their opening game, the hosts needed a strong response to stay in the tournament. Their ability to regroup and produce a clinical display speaks volumes about their growing maturity as a cricketing nation.
- Positive Signs for UAE: The opening partnership showed consistency, and the bowling unit demonstrated depth with multiple wicket-takers.
- Concerns for Oman: Their batting lineup looks fragile, with an overreliance on Jatinder Singh. Without better support in the middle order, chasing targets above 150 will remain a challenge.
What This Means for the Tournament
- UAE’s Momentum: With this win, the hosts have revived their Asia Cup campaign and will enter their next match with renewed confidence.
- Oman’s Struggles: Back-to-back defeats have left Oman with little margin for error. They need a quick turnaround to stay in contention for the knockout stages.
The result also highlights the growing competitiveness among associate nations in Asia. While Oman showed promise, UAE’s superior execution on the day made the difference.
Final Word
The Asia Cup 2025 T20 is already throwing up fascinating battles, and the UAE vs Oman clash was another example of how quickly momentum can shift in this format. UAE’s well-rounded display—powered by solid batting at the top and ruthless bowling from Junaid Siddique and company—earned them a deserved 42-run win.
For Oman, the defeat is a wake-up call. They’ll need to regroup quickly, work on their batting stability, and address the lack of depth in their bowling attack. For UAE, however, this victory could be the turning point of their campaign, setting the stage for tougher challenges ahead.
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