Former champions Pakistan began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in dominant fashion, hammering Oman in a Group A fixture on Friday, 12 September. It was a mismatch as a disciplined Pakistan side outclassed debutants Oman in all three departments, gaining valuable confidence ahead of their much-anticipated clash with arch-rivals India on Sunday.
With India having thrashed the UAE by nine wickets in a record-breaking win on Wednesday, and Pakistan starting their campaign by avoiding a familiar banana skin, Sunday’s encounter is perfectly set up.
PAK vs OMA Asia Cup: Highlights
Whether Pakistan can translate their dominance against Oman into a genuine challenge for the peerless Indian side — the reigning T20 world champions — remains to be seen. However, countless Pakistan fans would have been relieved that their team did not suffer another upset at the hands of a lower-ranked opponent, as has been the case in recent ICC tournaments. Pakistan’s painful defeats to the USA in the 2024 T20 World Cup and to Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India still linger as reminders of their inconsistency on the big stage.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat, hoping to post a big total on the board and bat Oman out of the contest. However, they lost momentum in the end overs, failing to build on a well-paced 66 from Mohammad Haris.
BATTING STILL NEEDS WORK
Captain Salman Ali Agha conceded that Pakistan did not have the best day with the bat, but expressed delight at their well-rounded bowling show.
“With the bat, we still need to work. But with the bowling, it was outstanding,” he said.
Pakistan stuck to their tactic of fielding a spin-heavy line-up – a strategy that had worked well for them in their tri-series victory earlier this month. The Men in Green opted for only one frontline fast bowler in Shaheen Shah Afridi, while deploying three specialist spinners alongside part-timer Saim Ayub. It marked a clear departure from the approach that backfired in the Champions Trophy earlier this year, where Pakistan had gone with Abrar Ahmed as their lone specialist spinner in the 50-over tournament.
Pakistan’s innings began poorly as opener Saim Ayub departed for a golden duck, missing a slower delivery from Shah Faisal. However, Mohammad Haris, promoted to No. 3, steadied the ship with a fluent 44-ball 66. Haris made the most of his opportunity to bat higher up the order after struggling to make an impact in the lower middle order in previous matches.
Haris and Sahibzada Farhan combined well, stitching together an 85-run stand in 10.3 overs, putting Pakistan on course for a total close to 200. Yet, they were unable to build on the momentum generated by that partnership.
Spinner Aamir Kaleem brought Oman back into the contest with a crucial spell in the middle overs, claiming three key wickets. He dismissed the well-set Sahibzada (29) and Haris (66) in quick succession before removing Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha for a golden duck.
From there, Pakistan huffed and puffed their way to 160, losing momentum in the death overs. Fakhar Zaman struggled to find consistency with the big hits, but Mohammad Nawaz’s cameo of 19 off 10 balls gave the innings some much-needed impetus towards the end.
SPIN TO WIN FOR PAKISTAN
In response, Oman were blown away as their inexperience and the gulf in quality came starkly to the fore.
Shaheen Shah Afridi impressed with purpose and pace, setting the tone with an early breakthrough.
Saim Ayub, who had failed with the bat, showcased his mystery spin by claiming two wickets, while Sufiyan Muqeen and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf also chipped in with two apiece.
The Pakistan spinners hunted in a pack, sharing six wickets between them as Oman collapsed to 67 all out.
Pakistan will now hope their rejuvenated spin attack can trouble India, but they will need a stronger batting display if they are to mount a serious challenge against their arch-rivals on Sunday.
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