Pakistan will begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a contest against debutants Oman on Friday, September 12, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. This match marks a crucial start for Pakistan as they look to build momentum in a tournament where they are a top contender. The Salman Ali Agha-led side is the clear favorite for this group stage fixture, but the determined Oman team, eager to cause a major upset, is prepared to challenge the powerhouse on their home turf.
Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan’s firepower and recent form
Led by the in-form skipper Salman Agha, Pakistan are looking for a strong first outing to set the tone for their title challenge. The Pakistan squad is well-balanced, mixing seasoned players with promising youth. The fearless intent that Agha brings to his captaincy is expected to define this new era, especially after winning a recent tri-series in Sharjah. In the batting lineup, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub are potential openers, while the team’s bowling attack will be spearheaded by the experienced Shaheen Afridi. The sheer squad depth and recent form of the Pakistan team make them the favorite in this contest, but they will be wary of underestimating their determined opponents.
Asia Cup 2025: Oman’s underdog spirit and player battles
For the Oman team, this opening match is a massive opportunity to shine against a prominent international team. As an associate nation, they are entering the spotlight with a lot of assurance and will be counting on their recent experience in the UAE to challenge the favorites. The Oman cricket team recently competed in a tri-series, where they faced challenging conditions. Despite their limited experience against full members, the team showed flashes of strong individual performances, particularly with veteran batters Jatinder Singh and Hammad Mirza making key contributions. The match serves as crucial preparation for the underdogs, giving them a firsthand look at the quality of a full member side.
PAK vs OMN head-to-head record in T20Is:
- Matches Played: 00 | Pakistan won: 0 | Oman won: 0 | No results: 0
*Note: This will be the first official T20 International meeting between the two sides.
PAK vs OMN, Probable XI of both teams:
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (c), Mohammad Haris (wk), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali
Oman: Jatinder Singh (c), Vinayak Shukla, Hammad Mirza, Aamir Kaleem, Shakeel Ahmad, Sufyan Yousuf, Ashish Odedara, Muhammed Imran, Bilal Khan, Hassnain Ali Shah, Samay Shrivastava
