Pakistan will face Oman for the very first time in international cricket as the fourth match of the Asia Cup 2025 unfolds today in Dubai.
Scheduled for September 12, this encounter marks the start of Pakistan’s campaign and presents an opportunity to adapt to Dubai’s playing conditions ahead of their blockbuster clash against India on Sunday.
A major storyline before the game revolves around Pakistan’s bowling combination. With Dubai pitches traditionally favouring spin, the team’s selection could reveal the balance they intend to maintain for the upcoming showdown with India.
Stay tuned as we bring you live updates, key moments, and expert analysis from Dubai, where Pakistan begins its journey in the Asia Cup 2025 against an eager Omani side.
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Oman bowled out for 75
Pakistan registered a dominant win in Dubai, dismissing Oman for 75 to secure a 93-run triumph in their Asia Cup 2025 opener.
Sufiyan Muqeem led the attack with sharp spin, while Saim Ayub delivered vital blows to cripple the chase. Mohammad Haris’s 66 earlier powered Pakistan to 160/7, setting the tone for an all-round performance.
10:45 pm -
Mirza falls to sharp slip catch off Muqeem
Sufiyan Muqeem struck again, dismissing Hammad Mirza for 27 with clever flight and bounce. Tossed up outside off, the delivery gripped and turned slightly, drawing a wild cross-batted swipe.
The extra lift produced a thick top edge, which Agha Salman snatched brilliantly to his left at slip.
10:18 pm -
Shaheen’s direct hit runs out Shukla brilliantly
Shaheen Shah Afridi produced a stunning moment, running out Vinayak Shukla for two with a sharp throw from backward point.
Shukla hesitated after jabbing Sufiyan Muqeem’s googly, scrambling late to make his ground.
10:15 pm -
Nawaz strikes as Sufyan Mehmood falls cheaply
Mohammad Nawaz added to Pakistan’s dominance, dismissing Sufyan Mehmood for one.
A slower ball outside off tempted the slog sweep, but Mehmood mistimed badly, sending it high towards deep midwicket.
10:10 pm -
Muqeem removes Nadeem as Oman stumble further
Sufiyan Muqeem claimed a vital wicket, dismissing Mohammad Nadeem for three.
Tossing it up teasingly, he forced an error, and Nadeem’s mistimed stroke flew towards Abrar Ahmed.
Oman’s batting continues to falter in their chase of 161, with Pakistan’s spinners exploiting conditions perfectly to maintain relentless pressure.
10:03 pm -
Ayub traps Kaleem lbw to claim second wicket
Saim Ayub struck again, removing Aamir Kaleem for 13 with a clever delivery on middle and off.
Kaleem misjudged the length while shaping for a pull, missing completely as the ball struck his pads before deflecting onto his back leg.
9:53 pm -
Saim Ayub strikes early to remove Jatinder
Saim Ayub gave Pakistan the perfect start, bowling Jatinder Singh for just one. A sharp delivery breached the batter’s defence, clattering into the stumps and sparking celebrations.
The early breakthrough put Oman under immediate pressure in their chase of 161.
9:42 pm -
Pakistan post 160/7 against Oman
Pakistan finished on 160 for seven in their allotted 20 overs after opting to bat first against Oman in Dubai.
Mohammad Haris top-scored with a sparkling 66, while Mohammad Nawaz contributed a brisk 19 to lift the total.
Aamir Kaleem was outstanding for Oman, claiming three crucial wickets and triggering regular breakthroughs.
Shah Faisal added two key scalps, and Mohammad Nadeem chipped in with one as Oman’s bowlers kept Pakistan’s innings in check despite periods of counterattack.
9:16 pm -
Nadeem removes Faheem as Pakistan lose another
Faheem Ashraf’s cameo ends at eight after mistiming a dipping full toss from Mohammad Nadeem.
Attempting a powerful swipe, Faheem failed to clear deep square leg, where Zikria Islam safely pouched the chance.
9:10 pm -
Faisal grabs third as Nawaz departs for 19
Mohammad Nawaz’s lively cameo ends on 19 after slicing a Shah Faisal delivery to long off.
A full ball outside off invited the lofted drive, but Nawaz overhit slightly, sending it towards substitute fielder J Ramanandi.
8:55 pm -
Faisal removes Hasan Nawaz as Oman tighten grip
Hasan Nawaz’s scratchy stay ends on nine as Shah Faisal strikes.
A loopy delivery outside off tempted an inside-out loft, but the batter lacked timing and elevation.
8:53 pm -
Pakistan's captain gone for a duck
Salman Agha departs for a duck, gifting Aamir Kaleem another wicket.
A loose drive at a full toss found Hammad Mirza stationed at deep midwicket. The fielder barely needed to move, calmly completing the catch as Pakistan lost another batter.
It is worth noting here that Salman Ali Agha is suffering from neck spasm, as he was seen taping around his neck this evening.
8:37 pm -
Kaleem strikes again as Haris falls on 66
Mohammad Haris’s innings ends at 66 as he drags an Aamir Kaleem delivery onto his stumps.
Attempting an aggressive stroke, Haris misjudged the line, sending the ball crashing onto the wickets.
8:32 pm -
Kaleem redeems himself by dismissing Farhan
Aamir Kaleem finally tasted success, removing Sahibzada Farhan for 28.
The batter miscued a lofted shot straight back, giving Kaleem redemption after an earlier dropped chance.
Farhan’s scratchy 28 off 28 balls ends Pakistan’s steady partnership.
8:25 pm -
Haris smashes six to reach maiden fifty
Mohammad Haris brought the Dubai crowd alive, hammering Sufyan’s slower delivery over deep midwicket for six to raise his maiden T20I half-century.
8:16 pm -
Farhan survives after Kaleem drops sitter
A huge moment in Dubai as Kaleem spills a simple chance at cover point, giving Sahibzada Farhan a crucial reprieve early against Oman’s spirited attack.
Shakeel deceived Farhan with a slower delivery outside off, drawing a loose slice. Kaleem misjudged the sitter, leaving the bowler visibly frustrated and disappointed.
7:40 pm -
Saim Ayub departs for golden duck
Drama in Dubai as Saim Ayub falls for a golden duck! A length ball angled in trapped him.
Ayub attempted his trademark sit-down pick-up shot but misjudged the delivery, missing completely.
7:31 pm -
Pakistani Opener on the crease
Pakistan captain won the toss and chose to bat against Oman in Dubai, aiming for a solid start in their Asia Cup 2025 campaign opener.
Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub have been named as the opening pair, tasked with providing early momentum on a surface expected to assist spin bowlers.
7:31 pm -
Oman Playing XI
Jatinder Singh (capt), Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, Vinayak Shukla (wk), Hassnain Shah, Shah Faisal, Mohammad Nadeem, Zikria Islam, Sufyan Mehmood, Shakeel Ahmed, Samay Shrivastava.
7:11 pm -
Pakistan Playing XI
Salman Ali Agha (capt), Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed.
7:09 pm -
Oman Captain Statement
On the other side, Jatinder admits he would have chosen to bat first as well. He calls it a historic moment to play on such a big stage, sharing the field with Asia’s cricketing powerhouses. Reflecting on the team’s journey, he says, “Six months ago, things were challenging with so many changes, but the boys are loving the opportunity today.” When asked about the team combination, he confirms that they are more spin-heavy and mentions that Kaleem, Nadeem, and himself are the most experienced members of the squad.
7:04 pm -
Pakistan Captain Statement
Salman Ali Agha says the pitch looks good and the plan is to post a strong total and apply scoreboard pressure on the opposition. “Things are starting to come together,” he adds, noting that the squad is performing well. He describes the team composition as a balanced mix: “Three frontline spinners, a few all-rounders, and a couple of pacers — a bit of everything.” Their aim while batting first, he says, is always to set an above-par total, and that’s exactly what they’re targeting today.
7:01 pm -
Toss Update
Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first to put the pressure on the opposition team, Oman.
6:57 pm -
Pitch Report
It’s the same pitch that was used for the India vs UAE match the other day,” says Bazid Khan. “It appears hard and has been nicely rolled in, though it does look slightly drier this time. If the fast bowlers put in the effort, there could be some bounce and assistance on offer. Stats suggest that teams winning the toss should opt to bowl first, following the successful strategy India used on Wednesday.”
6:30 pm
