DUBAI – Pakistan opened their ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 campaign in emphatic fashion, dismantling debutants Oman by 93 runs in Dubai on Friday, thanks to Mohammad Haris’s maiden half-century and a disciplined all-round bowling display.
Chasing 161, Oman never looked in control and crumbled to 67 all out in 16.4 overs, suffering a chastening defeat in their first-ever Asia Cup outing. Only Hammad Mirza offered resistance, top-scoring with 27 off 23 balls, laced with three boundaries and a six. Apart from him, opener Aamir Kaleem (13) and tailender Shakeel Ahmed (10) were the only batters to reach double figures.
Pakistan’s bowlers shared the spoils in a show of collective dominance. Saim Ayub, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Faheem Ashraf bagged two wickets apiece, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with one each to complete Oman’s humiliation.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 160/7 in 20 overs, overcoming early jitters and a mid-innings collapse. Sent into bat, the Green Shirts were jolted immediately as Saim Ayub perished for a golden duck with only four runs on the board. The setback brought Mohammad Haris together with Sahibzada Farhan, and the pair steadied the innings with a crucial 85-run stand for the second wicket.
Farhan’s 29 (29 balls, one four) provided solidity, while Haris was the standout performer, smashing 66 off 43 deliveries, decorated with seven fours and three towering sixes.Just as Pakistan looked set for a commanding total, Aamir Kaleem struck twice in successive overs, removing skipper Salman Ali Agha for a duck and ending Haris’s dazzling knock. At 93/3, Pakistan’s middle order wobbled, losing Hasan Nawaz (9) cheaply.
The recovery came through Fakhar Zaman’s calm 23 not out (16 balls, 2 fours) and Mohammad Nawaz’s fiery cameo of 19 off just 10 balls, which propelled Pakistan past 160. Oman’s bowlers, led by Aamir Kaleem and Faisal with three wickets each, and Muhammad Nadeem with one, ensured Pakistan did not run away with an even bigger total.
However, Oman’s batting frailties overshadowed their bowling fightback. They were undone by Pakistan’s pace, spin, and relentless pressure, folding well inside 20 overs.The thumping win gave Pakistan two vital points and placed them second in Group B with a healthy net run rate of 4.650.
Scores in Brief
PAKISTAN 160/7 in 20 overs (M Haris 66, Sahibzada Farhan 29, Fakhar Zaman 23*; Aamir Kaleem 3/27, Faisal 3/28) beat OMAN 67 all out in 16.4 overs (Hammad Mirza 27; Saim Ayub 2/8, Sufiyan Muqeem 2/10, Faheem Ashraf 2/15) by 93 runs.
