Web desk: Pakistan began their Asia Cup campaign today at 7:30PM in Dubai with a Group A clash against newcomers Oman.
Pakistan beat Oman by 93 runs in Asia Cup’s fourth match
Pakistan secured a commanding victory over Oman in the Asia Cup, defeating them by 93 runs.
Batting first, Pakistan posted a total of 160 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their 20 overs. In response, Oman could only manage 67 runs, losing all ten wickets.
Played in Dubai, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat. Mohammad Haris starred with a brilliant 66 runs, while Sahibzada Farhan contributed 29, and Mohammad Nawaz scored 19. Fakhar Zaman remained unbeaten on 23.
Other Pakistani batsmen included Hasan Nawaz, who made 9, and Faheem Ashraf with 8 runs. Saim Ayub and Captain Salman Ali Agha were both dismissed for ducks.
For Oman, Shah Faisal and Aamir Kaleem were the most successful bowlers, taking three wickets each, while Mohammad Nadeem claimed one wicket.
Oman lose ninth wicket on 51 runs
Oman’s innings continued to collapse as they lost wickets in quick succession. Vinayak Shukla was run out for 2 following a brilliant throw from Shaheen Shah Afridi, leaving him short of the crease.
Shortly after, Hammad Mirza, who had scored 27 off 23 balls with three fours and a six, edged a googly from Sufiyan Muqeem to Agha Salman at slip.
The pressure intensified as Shah Faisal, after scoring just 1, was bowled by Shaheen Afridi, and Hassnain Shah also departed for 1, chopped onto his stumps off Faheem Ashraf.
Oman was now nine down for just 51 runs, facing a dramatic collapse and struggling to add any significant resistance to Pakistan’s bowlers.
They need 105 runs in 38 balls.
Oman lose sixth wicket on 49 runs
Oman suffered a double blow as their innings continued to falter. Vinayak Shukla was run out for 2 after a brilliant piece of fielding by Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose throw at the bowler’s end left Shukla short of the crease.
Soon after, Hammad Mirza, who looked well-set on 27 off 23 balls with three boundaries and a six, edged a googly outside off from Sufiyan Muqeem to Agha Salman at slip.
These quick wickets left Oman in deep trouble, with the team now five down and struggling to rebuild their innings.
Oman needs 112 runs in 69 balls.
Oman lose first wicket on 2 runs
Pakistan’s Saim Ayub made an early breakthrough, dismissing Oman captain Jatinder Singh for just 1 run.
Ayub bowled a clever carrom delivery on a back-of-a-length line, which swerved away sharply, beating Singh’s outside edge and crashing into the stumps.
The wicket came on the very first ball he bowled, continuing Ayub’s impressive start in the innings. Oman faced 2/1 after the early blow.
Pakistan set Oman 161-run target in Asia Cup clash
Pakistan have set a target of 161 runs for Oman in their Asia Cup clash. The Pakistani squad made 160 runs on the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs.
Pakistan lose seventh wicket at 158 runs
Pakistan’s middle order collapsed as Oman continued to strike. Hasan Nawaz was first to fall for 9 off 15, edging a slower, fuller delivery from Shah Faisal to deep point where Hassnain Shah completed the catch, leaving Pakistan 120/5.
Faisal struck again in the 19th over when Mohammad Nawaz’s 19-ball 19 ended with a mistimed lofted shot to long off, taken cleanly by a substitute fielder, reducing Pakistan to 148/6.
Soon after, Faheem Ashraf, attempting to heave a high full toss from Mohammad Nadeem, was caught at deep square leg by Zikriya Islam, and Pakistan slumped further to 158/7.
Pakistan lose sixth wicket at 148 runs
Hasan Nawaz, who made 9 off 15 balls, was the first to go at 120/5. Faisal deceived him with a slower, fuller delivery outside off. Hasan attempted to slice it away but mistimed, sending the ball straight to Hassnain Shah at deep point, who completed a safe catch.
Later, in the 19th over, Mohammad Nawaz’s quickfire cameo ended on 19 from just 10 balls. He had struck four boundaries but was undone by Faisal again. Attempting another big hit, Nawaz lofted the ball only to be caught by a substitute fielder, leaving Pakistan at 148/6.
Pakistan lose fourth wicket at 102 runs
Pakistan’s third wicket fell at 102 when Mohammad Haris was dismissed after a fine knock of 66 from 44 balls.
Trying to reverse sweep Aamir Kaleem, Haris changed his stance but ended up in an awkward position. He got an inside edge that deflected off his pad and rolled back onto the stumps, cutting short his innings.
The dismissal handed Oman another key breakthrough, leaving Pakistan three down after a strong start.
Pakistan suffered another blow on 102 when skipper Salman Agha was dismissed for a golden duck.
Facing a full toss from Aamir Kaleem, Salman tried to play across the line but mistimed his shot. The ball took the outer half of the bat and went straight to Hammad Mirza at deep mid-wicket, who made a safe catch at chest height.
With this wicket, Oman pulled themselves back into the contest, as Pakistan collapsed from 89/1 to 102/4. Kaleem, who claimed both dismissals, will be on a hat-trick in his next over.
Pakistan lose first wicket against Oman in first over
Pakistan lost it’s first wicket in the opening over as Saim Ayub was trapped lbw by Faisal Shah.
They suffered an early setback against Oman as opener Saim Ayub was dismissed for a golden duck in the very first over.
Facing Shah Faisal, Ayub was trapped leg-before on just his second delivery.
Faisal delivered a fuller ball on middle, which straightened slightly. Ayub attempted to flick it over midwicket but misjudged the bounce as the ball stayed low.
It struck him on the front pad, prompting a loud appeal from the bowler and wicketkeeper. The umpire gave him out immediately.
Ayub opted for a review, hoping for an inside edge, but UltraEdge showed no contact with the bat. Ball-tracking confirmed the delivery would have gone on to hit the stumps, returning three reds.
With that, Ayub had to walk back, leaving Pakistan at 4 for 1. The early breakthrough sparked joyous celebrations among the Oman players.
Pakistan win toss, choose to bat first
Pakistan has won the toss and elected to bat first against debutant Oman.
For Pakistan, it is seen as the easiest possible start, as Oman is making their debut in the tournament.
The men in green arrive at the event in good form, having recently lifted the T20 Tri-Series trophy with a dominant 75-run win over Afghanistan in the final.
Mohammad Nawaz’s hat-trick was the highlight of that victory, in a competition that also included the UAE.
Currently ranked eighth in the world, Pakistan will use this opening game to build momentum before their much-anticipated showdown with traditional rivals India.
Pakistan squad
Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, Sufyan Moqim.
Oman squad
Jatinder Singh (c), Hammad Mirza, Vinayak Shukla, Sufyan Yousuf, Ashish Odedera, Aamir Kaleem, Mohammed Nadeem, Sufyan Mehmood, Aryan Bisht, Karan Sonavale, Zikriya Islam, Hassnain Ali Shah, Faisal Shah, Muhammed Imran, Nadeem Khan, Shakeel Ahmad, Samay Shrivastava.
Bangladesh beat Hong Kong by 7 wickets
Bangladesh defeated Hong Kong by seven wickets in the third match of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Hong Kong batted first and managed 143 for 7 in 20 overs. Nizakat Khan top-scored with 42 off 40 balls, while Zeeshan Ali made 30 and Yasim Murtaza hit 28.
For Bangladesh, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed and Rishad Hossain claimed two wickets each.
In reply, Bangladesh chased the target in 17.4 overs, finishing at 144 for 3. Captain Litton Das led the way with a 59-run knock from 39 balls, hitting six fours and a six.
Towhid Hridoy supported him with an unbeaten 35. The pair shared a 95-run stand for the third wicket to seal the win with 14 balls to spare.
Read more: Asia Cup 2025 Bangladesh vs Hong Kong: Ban beat HK by 7 wickets
