DUBAI: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and opted to bat first in their opening match of the Asia Cup 2025 against Oman here on Friday.
Group A’s fourth encounter just started at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium with weather conditions favouring spinners. With the spotlight firmly on the Men in Green, this clash marks more than just the beginning of the tournament for Pakistan. It is said to be heralding a new era for Pakistan cricket under the leadership of Salman Ali Agha.
Fresh off their title-winning campaign in the United Arab Emirates T20I Tri-Series 2025, Pakistan enters the Asia Cup with momentum and expectations. However, the absence of seasoned campaigners Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, both of whom have been mainstays in the T20 setup for years, signals a tricky strategic shift. Their exclusion underscores a bold attempt by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to rebuild with an eye on the future, and all eyes will now be on how the younger core steps up in their absence.
Standing in their way are an ambitious Omani team, led by veteran top-order batter Jatinder Singh. Though Oman are making their Asia Cup debut, they’re no strangers to the big stage. However, their recent form, including back-to-back defeats to the USA, has raised questions about their readiness. Much of their squad has been restructured following a disappointing 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, with an injection of youth by sacrificing experience.
For Pakistan, the match is more than just about securing two points. With a high-octane clash against arch-rivals India looming on Sunday, this opening fixture provides a timely opportunity to fine-tune strategies — especially in the bowling department. Dubai’s historically spin-friendly conditions will test their adaptability. The pace duo of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf are expected to play key roles in setting the tone early with the new ball.
Pakistan will also be wary of complacency. Their stunning loss to the USA in last year’s T20 World Cup remains a fresh scar, one that derailed their campaign and drew heavy criticism back home. That upset serves as a stark reminder that in T20 cricket, underestimating any opponent comes at a cost.
Despite the gulf in experience and rankings, the encounter promises its own intrigue. Oman will be keen to make a statement, while Pakistan will want to assert dominance early, showcasing a retooled lineup and an assertive team as a serious title contender.
Pakistan
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
Aamir Kaleem, Jatinder Singh (capt), Hammad Mirza, Mohammad Nadeem, Ayaan Khan, Aryan Bisht, Vinayak Shukla (wk), Shakeel Ahmad, Ashish Odedra, Hassnain Shah, Zikria Islam
