Dubai/Patiala, 13 September (Sports Desk)
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Format: T20I
Result: Pakistan won by 93 runs
Player of the Match: Mohammad Haris (Pakistan) – 66 runs off 43 balls
Match Summary
Pakistan kicked off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a dominant 93-run victory over debutants Oman in the Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 12, 2025. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan posted a competitive 160/7, powered by Mohammad Haris’ aggressive 66 off 43 balls. Oman’s bowlers, led by Aamir Kaleem and Shah Faisal, showed resilience but their batting collapsed under pressure, managing only 67 runs in 16.4 overs against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack. This emphatic win gave Pakistan two points and a significant net run-rate boost ahead of their high-stakes clash against India on September 14.
Toss and Pitch Report
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bat first, citing the good condition of the pitch and the intent to put scoreboard pressure on Oman. The Dubai pitch, previously used for the India vs UAE match, was described as hard and dry with some bounce, offering assistance to both spinners and pacers. Seamers needed to work hard for wickets, with bouncers being a potentially effective weapon.
Pakistan Innings: 160/7 (20 overs)
Pakistan’s innings began on a shaky note with opener Saim Ayub falling for a golden duck to Shah Faisal in the first over. However, Mohammad Haris, promoted to number 3, and Sahibzada Farhan steadied the ship with an 84-run partnership for the second wicket. Haris was the aggressor, scoring a fiery 66 off 43 balls, including seven fours and three sixes, reaching his maiden T20I half-century in 32 balls. Farhan played a supporting role with a patient 29 off 29 balls.
Oman’s bowlers fought back in the middle overs, with Aamir Kaleem (3/31) and Shah Faisal (3/34) picking up three wickets each. Kaleem dismissed Haris, triggering a mini-collapse as Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals. Fakhar Zaman’s unbeaten 23 off 16 balls and Hasan Nawaz’s quick 19 off 10 provided a late flourish to take Pakistan to 160/7. Despite a strong start, Pakistan captain Salman Agha noted they could have aimed for 180, indicating room for improvement in their batting.
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Key Performances (Pakistan Batting)
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Mohammad Haris: 66 (43 balls, 7×4, 3×6) – Aggressive knock, provided momentum.
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Sahibzada Farhan: 29 (29 balls) – Anchored the innings early on.
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Fakhar Zaman: 23* (16 balls) – Late cameo to boost the total.
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Hasan Nawaz: 19 (10 balls) – Quick runs in the death overs.
Oman Bowling
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Aamir Kaleem: 3/31 – Key wickets, including Haris, to pull back Pakistan.
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Shah Faisal: 3/34 – Early breakthrough with Ayub’s wicket and two more later.
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Shakeel Ahmed: 0/24 – Economical spell, maintained pressure in the middle overs.
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Mohammad Nadeem: 1 wicket – Contributed to restricting Pakistan’s momentum.
Oman Innings: 67/10 (16.4 overs)
Chasing 161, Oman’s batting crumbled under Pakistan’s relentless bowling attack. The innings started poorly with captain Jatinder Singh bowled by a carrom ball from Saim Ayub in the second over. Ayub struck again in the fourth over, trapping Aamir Kaleem LBW, leaving Oman at 27/2. Hammad Mirza offered brief resistance with 27 off 23 balls, but Pakistan’s spinners suffocated the middle order. From 41/2, Oman collapsed to 50/8, losing seven wickets for just 10 runs in a remarkable slide.
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Sufiyan Muqeem (2/7) and Faheem Ashraf (2/6) were the standout bowlers, while Saim Ayub (2/8) and Mohammad Nawaz (1 wicket) chipped in with crucial breakthroughs. A direct hit from Shaheen Afridi to run out wicketkeeper Vinayak Shukla further dented Oman’s hopes. The innings ended in 16.4 overs when Abrar Ahmed dismissed Shakeel Ahmed, caught by Afridi at long-off. Oman’s total of 67 is their second-lowest in T20Is, highlighting the gulf in quality between the two sides.
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Key Performances (Oman Batting)
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Hammad Mirza: 27 (23 balls) – Top-scored, showed brief resistance.
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Shakeel Ahmed: 10 (23 balls) – Fought till the end but lacked support.
Pakistan Bowling
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Sufiyan Muqeem: 2/7 (3 overs) – Tight spell, dismantled the middle order.
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Faheem Ashraf: 2/6 (2 overs) – Economical and impactful.
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Saim Ayub: 2/8 – Early wickets, including the Oman captain.
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Shaheen Afridi: 1/20 (4 overs) – Key run-out and a wicket.
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Abrar Ahmed: 1/14 (3.4 overs) – Finished the innings with the final wicket.
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Mohammad Nawaz: 1 wicket – Contributed to the middle-order collapse.
Post-Match Comments
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Salman Agha (Pakistan Captain): “We were outstanding with the ball, but we need to work on our batting. With the start we got, we should have scored near 180. Our spinners are different and effective, and we’re confident going into the India match if we execute our plans.”
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Jatinder Singh (Oman Captain): “Restricting Pakistan to 160 was a great effort, and I’m proud of our bowlers. However, our batters couldn’t hold their nerves. We’re better than this and will stay positive for the next game.”
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Mohammad Haris (Player of the Match): “It’s a great feeling to contribute to a crucial win. The pitch wasn’t easy, but I played according to the team’s needs. We want to stay positive and aggressive.”
Impact and Outlook
Pakistan’s clinical performance showcased their depth in bowling, particularly their spin attack, which is well-suited to Dubai’s conditions. The win places them second in Group A behind India based on net run rate, setting the stage for their blockbuster clash against India on September 14. Oman, despite a spirited bowling effort, were outclassed with the bat, marking a tough debut in the Asia Cup. They will look to regroup for their next match, aiming to compete better against stronger sides.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed.
Oman: Jatinder Singh (c), Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, Vinayak Shukla (wk), Shah Faisal, Hassnain Shah, Mohammad Nadeem, Zikria Islam, Sufyan Mehmood, Shakeel Ahmed, Samay Shrivastava.
Key Stats
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Oman’s 67 is their second-lowest T20I total, after 47 vs England in 2024.
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Pakistan’s spinners bowled 43 dot balls in overs 7-15, the second-most by a full-member team in T20I history during this phase.
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Mohammad Haris’ 66 was his maiden T20I fifty and Pakistan’s highest individual score in the match.
This comprehensive victory underlines Pakistan’s form following their T20I Tri-Series win and sets them up with confidence for their crucial upcoming matches in the Asia Cup 2025.
