Pakistan secured a resounding 93-run victory over Oman in their opening match of the Asia Cup 2025.
Oman fumbled at 67 runs while pursuing a target of 161, with Hamad Mirza providing a fleeting resistance with 27 runs.
The Green Shirts posted 160 runs, losing seven wickets in their 20 overs. Mohammad Haris emerged as Pakistan’s leading run-scorer with 66 runs. Sahibzada Farhan contributed 29 runs, Mohammad Nawaz added 19, while Hasan Nawaz managed just nine, and Faheem Ashraf chipped in with a modest eight. Captain Salman Ali Agha and Saim Ayub departed without troubling the scorers.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first against Oman at the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Riding the momentum from their recent T20 tri-series triumph, where they defeated Afghanistan by 75 runs in the final—thanks to Mohammad Nawaz’s hat-trick—Pakistan entered the tournament with confidence. The series, which also included UAE, showcased their form. Currently ranked eighth globally, Pakistan aims to build experience ahead of their highly anticipated showdown with rivals India.
The slow, sluggish pitches in the UAE influenced Pakistan’s decision to bolster their squad with spinners, a tactic that proved effective in the Tri-Series and will be vital in the Asia Cup. “Our preparation was tailored for the Asia Cup, and it’s paid off,” Pakistan skipper Salman Agha remarked. “Since the home series against Bangladesh, we’ve been in great form and are thoroughly ready.”
Group A features India, Pakistan, Oman, and UAE, with the blockbuster India-Pakistan encounter set for Sunday in Dubai.
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