Pakistan Dominates Oman in Asia Cup Opener, Wins by 93 Runs

Dubai, UAE – Pakistan began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a resounding 93-run victory over Oman at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday. This emphatic win was bolstered by a strong all-round performance from the Pakistani squad.

After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first, a decision that initially seemed risky when opener Saim Ayub was dismissed for a golden duck. However, Mohammad Haris steadied the innings with an impressive 66 runs off just 43 balls, forming a crucial partnership of 84 runs with Sahibzada Farhan, who contributed 29 runs.

Haris’s innings included seven fours and three sixes, showcasing his aggressive intent. Despite a few key wickets falling in quick succession, including Haris and Farhan to Oman’s bowlers Aamir Kaleem and Shah Faisal respectively, Pakistan finished with a competitive total of 160 runs for 7 wickets.

In reply, Oman struggled to build their innings, collapsing to just 67 runs in 16.4 overs. Their top-order batsmen failed to deliver under pressure, with only Hammad Mirza showing resilience by scoring 27 runs.

Oman’s innings fell apart as Pakistan’s bowlers executed their plans effectively. Saim Ayub and Sufiyan Muqeem each took two wickets, while Faheem Ashraf also claimed two. Shaheen Afridi contributed with a sharp run-out, further dimming Oman’s hopes.

This result positions Pakistan in second place in Group A, with their next match against India set for Sunday. Pakistan’s captain, Salman Agha, expressed satisfaction with the bowling performance but acknowledged the need for improvement in batting. Oman captain Jatinder Singh praised his bowlers for a strong showing despite the loss.

As Pakistan looks ahead to their match against India, they will aim to build on this momentum, while Oman will seek to regroup after their disappointing debut in the Asia Cup.