Pakistan Beats Oman in Asia Cup 2025 Opener, Haris Hits 66

Pakistan began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a hard-fought win against Oman in Dubai on Friday, posting 160-7 in their first innings before defending the total.

Mohammad Haris was the star of the show with a brilliant 66 runs off 43 balls, batting at one down. His knock included powerful boundaries and a massive six to bring up his fifty. However, Pakistan’s innings stumbled in the middle overs after Oman’s left-arm spinner Aamir Kaleem took three quick wickets, including Haris and captain Salman Ali Agha in consecutive deliveries.

Saim Ayub fell early, while Sahibzada Farhan was dropped once before scoring, but later dismissed for a modest total. Haris and Farhan had built a strong partnership to take Pakistan to 85-1 at the halfway mark, but Oman’s spinners pulled the game back. Kaleem finished with figures of 3-31, and Shakeel Ahmed conceded just 17 runs in his four overs.

Late runs from Mohammad Nawaz helped Pakistan cross 160, though Oman’s bowlers ensured the Green Shirts did not run away with the game.

Earlier, skipper Salman Ali Agha had said the team was confident after their tri-series victory against Afghanistan and UAE last week. Head coach Mike Hesson also backed the batting unit, dismissing criticism ahead of the high-pressure clash against India on Sunday.

Oman, ranked 20th in T20I cricket, last played a series in February against the USA, and put up a strong fight with the ball but could not stop Pakistan’s experienced side.

The Green Shirts now turn their focus to their much-anticipated match against arch-rivals India in Dubai, which will be the first cricketing encounter between the two sides since their military clash earlier this year.

The Asia Cup 2025 features eight teams divided into two groups. Pakistan, India, Oman, and UAE are in Group A, while Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, and Bangladesh make up Group B. The top two sides from each group will move to the Super Four stage, leading to the final on September 28 in Dubai.