KEY POINTS
- Oman enters the tournament as underdogs
- Pakistan may use the match to test spin-heavy combinations, with Dubai’s turning pitch in mind
DUBAI: Pakistan is set to begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign on Friday with a group-stage opener against Oman, who are making their debut in the tournament.
On paper, the contest looks one-sided, but Pakistan are wary of T20 cricket’s unpredictability as they look to build momentum ahead of Sunday’s high-profile clash with India.
Recent history and a few fresh scars will remind Salman Ali Agha’s men that in T20 cricket, reputation often counts for little once the lights are on and the ball is rolling.
Pakistan couldn’t have asked for a gentler entry into the competition. Oman, a side reeling from internal turmoil, a player exodus, and a lack of competitive cricket, stands as little more than a warm-up act before Sunday’s much-anticipated showdown against India. Yet, it’s precisely in these low-stakes settings that chaos sometimes sneaks in.
Oman’s journey here has been anything but smooth. Following a pay dispute earlier this year that sidelined many of their senior players, the squad that lines up on Friday bears little resemblance to the one that qualified 18 months ago. Their last international outing came in February, a forgettable 3-0 series loss to the USA.
By contrast, Pakistan arrived on the back of a tri-series win against UAE and Afghanistan. While not without its wobbles, especially from the top order, the final saw a composed and dominant performance against a potent Afghan wrist-spin attack.
Head coach Mike Hesson will see this game not only as a launchpad, but as an experimental lab ahead of Sunday’s clash against India.
Chance to Fine-Tune
Pakistan’s probable XI is expected to include both Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem, as the team looks to assess spin’s role under the Dubai lights.
The surface here has traditionally aided turn, more so than Abu Dhabi’s seam-friendly track. With five quality spinners and an array of seamers, Pakistan will be eager to test combinations.
This match is also critical for top-order batter Sahibzada Farhan. After a string of unconverted starts in the tri-series, he’ll hope Oman’s inexperienced attack offers the platform for a statement knock, especially with India looming next.
Meanwhile, Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the side, as the team management juggles form, experimentation, and momentum heading deeper into the tournament.
Oman: Rebuilding Under Fire
If Pakistan are fine-tuning, Oman are patching holes mid-flight. Led by the seasoned Jatinder Singh, the side features numerous unfamiliar names, a consequence of their recent player crisis.
Jatinder remains their bedrock, an opener with a measured approach and a mid-120s strike rate that might suit Dubai’s slower pitch.
Their main hope lies in dragging the game deep, exploiting turn if available, and hoping Pakistan take their foot off the gas, a scenario not entirely unthinkable given the upsets T20 history has handed us.
But make no mistake: Oman are underdogs. Pakistan’s firepower, with Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Nawaz all likely to play, could make this a very long night for the Asia Cup newcomers.
Lesson from the Past
And yet, Pakistan’s recent stumble against the USA in last year’s T20 World Cup, just before a critical match with India, remains a cautionary tale. It’s a painful reminder of what three reckless hours can undo in three months of careful planning.
Pakistan Probable XI
Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
Oman Probable XIs
Aamir Kaleem, Jatinder Singh (capt), Hammad Mirza, Mohammad Nadeem, Ayaan Khan, Aryan Bisht, Vinayak Shukla (wk), Shakeel Ahmad, Ashish Odedra, Hassnain Shah, Zikria Islam
Pitch & Conditions
Expect spin to play a major role under the Dubai lights, with the pitch offering grip and bounce. Temperatures will hover in the mid-30s, testing both stamina and temperament.
Verdict
While this should be a formality for Pakistan, T20s have an uncanny ability to punish complacency. For Oman, even a competitive showing could serve as a win. For Pakistan, this is about rhythm, refinement, and ruthlessness, nothing less.
