Pakistan vs Oman – Asia Cup 2025 Match Highlights

Match Summary

Result: Pakistan won by 93 runs
Date: Friday, September 12, 2025
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE
Match Type: 4th Match, Group A – Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025
Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first

Pakistan Innings: 160/7 (20 overs)

Pakistan posted a competitive total of 160 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs, with Mohammad Haris leading the charge with a magnificent half-century.

Key Performances:

• Mohammad Haris: 66 (43 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes) – Player of the Match
• Sahibzada Farhan: 29 (29 balls)
• Fakhar Zaman: 23
• Mohammad Nawaz: 19

Pakistan Batting Highlights:

Haris smashed 66 off 43 deliveries in an innings where none of his team-mates were quite able to match his power or timing with the bat. The innings got off to a shaky start when Saim Ayub was trapped in front by a ball that kept low in the very first over.

Partnership Building: The second wicket partnership between Farhan and Haris was crucial, with 50 runs scored in 39 balls (Sahibzada Farhan 17, Mohammad Haris 32).

Power Play Performance: Pakistan stumbled along to 31 in the first five overs, and it was up to Haris to inject impetus into the innings. Sixteen came off the final powerplay over, and that was the start of the onslaught.

Oman Bowling Performance:

• Aamir Kaleem: 3/31 (4 overs) – Pick of the bowlers
• Shah Faisal: 3/34 (4 overs)

Aamir Kaleem, the left-arm spinner, was the pick of the Oman bowlers as he had Haris drag on, bringing an end to the destructive innings.

Oman Innings: 67 all out (16.4 overs)

Oman’s chase never got going as they slipped from 41 for 2 to 51 for 9 before being bowled out for 67, suffering one of the most dramatic collapses in recent Asia Cup history.

Key Performances:

• Hammad Mirza: 27 (23 balls) – Top scorer
• Aamir Kaleem: 13 (11 balls)
• Shakeel Ahmed: 10 (23 balls)

The Collapse:

Oman began the chase in a solid manner and were 32 for 2 by the end of the fifth over. But Saim Ayub had taken both those wickets, and Pakistan began to unleash the rest of their spinners on this line-up.

The turning point came when Muqeem took out Mohammad Nadeem to make it 41 for 3, and from thereon it was a procession. Nawaz got into the act before Muqeem doubled up the following over.

Pakistan Bowling Figures:

• Sufiyan Muqeem: 2/7 (3 overs)
• Faheem Ashraf: 2/6 (2 overs)
• Mohammad Nawaz: 1 wicket
• Abrar Ahmed: 1/14 (3.4 overs)
• Shaheen Shah Afridi: 1/20 (4 overs)
• Saim Ayub: 2 wickets in powerplay

Bowling Dominance: During overs 7-15, Oman managed only 18 runs for 7 wickets, including 43 dot balls, which is the second-most dots in this phase by a full-member team in T20I history.

Match Turning Points

1. Early Breakthroughs by Ayub

Saim Ayub has struck with the first ball of each of his first two overs. The first delivery of his spell fooled Oman captain Jatinder Singh, cleaning up his stumps, while the first of his second kept low to take out Kaleem.

2. Spin Web Tightens

Pakistan began to unleash the rest of their spinners on this line-up that may never had played against bowling of this quality. Abrar, Nawaz and Muqeem first asphyxiated them, and then the wickets began to fall.

3. The Final Collapse

Oman lost seven wickets for ten runs, imparting upon the scoreline a tinge of embarrassment Oman’s bowlers certainly did not deserve.

Captain’s Comments

Pakistan Captain Salman Agha:

“We are going to bat first. It looks like a good pitch and we want to put the scoreboard pressure. We have been playing good cricket for last 2-3 months, the team is coming together and we want to continue that.”

Oman Captain Jatinder Singh:

“Restricting them under 160, it was really good, really proud of the boys – the way they bowled and fielded. The boys were bang on target, they executed the plans they discussed, they were 10/10. Our team is a lot better than what we performed today, and confident that we can do a lot better (in the upcoming games).”

Historical Context

This match marked Oman’s first-ever appearance in the Asia Cup, making it a historic occasion for the Gulf nation. This will be the first time Pakistan and Oman take on each other in T20Is, adding to the significance of the encounter.

Pakistan are favoured to win, having beaten UAE twice over the past fortnight, during the recent tri-series in Sharjah, showcasing their good form coming into the tournament.

Key Statistics

Team Records:

• Highest Partnership: Pakistan – 50 runs for 2nd wicket (Farhan & Haris)
• Best Bowling Figures: Sufiyan Muqeem – 2/7 (3 overs)
• Most Sixes: Mohammad Haris – 3 sixes
• Dot Ball Pressure: Oman faced 43 dot balls in overs 7-15

Individual Milestones:

• Mohammad Haris: His third six brought up just his second 50-plus score in the format
• Oman’s Debut: First-ever Asia Cup appearance for the nation

What’s Next?

This victory sets up Pakistan perfectly for their next challenge against India on September 14, 2025, in what promises to be the marquee clash of the group stage. Meanwhile, Oman will look to bounce back when they face India on September 19, 2025.

The comprehensive nature of this victory will give Pakistan tremendous confidence, especially the performance of their spin bowling unit, which completely dominated Oman’s batting lineup in conditions that are expected to remain similar throughout the tournament in the UAE.

Match Officials

• On-field Umpires: Masudur Rahman, Ahmed Pakteen
• Match Referee: Andy Pycroft
• Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE

This dominant display by Pakistan showcased why they remain one of the favorites to lift the Asia Cup 2025 trophy, combining explosive batting from Mohammad Haris with a clinical bowling performance that dismantled Oman’s batting order.