A disclaimer to start with: it was only Oman. Pakistan fans may not want to get too carried away, since this team has often found ways to disappoint after promising starts. Still, in their Asia Cup opener at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday, the men in green delivered a dominant 93-run victory that combined clinical bowling with flashes of batting brilliance — but also exposed familiar flaws.
Also Read: Arshad Nadeem and Neeraj Chopra Set for Tokyo Javelin Showdown Amid Tense Rivalry
Pakistan’s spinners stole the show on a slow, sticky surface that made stroke play difficult. Captain Salman Ali Agha wasted no time in introducing part-timer Saim Ayub, whose sharp-turning deliveries dismantled Oman’s top order. His early strikes justified his place in the XI despite his ongoing struggles with the bat. Sufyan Moqeem added to the spin onslaught, taking two wickets — including a sharp bouncer that surprised Mohammad Nadeem and a dismissal that showcased Salman’s brilliance in the slips. Mohammad Nawaz, back in the side and in top form, chipped in with a crucial wicket as well.
The fast bowlers had little to prove on this wicket but still contributed, with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Faheem Ashraf sharing three scalps between them. By the time Oman folded, Pakistan’s dominance with the ball was unquestionable.
With the bat, however, Pakistan were less convincing. Their innings began poorly when Saim Ayub fell on the very first delivery, attempting an ill-advised heave. Despite being backed for his potential, the left-hander continues to struggle with consistency, averaging below 25 in his last 15 innings. The early setback might have rattled the side, but Mohammad Haris steadied the ship in style.
Promoted back to his preferred number three position, Haris played with maturity and flair, silencing critics who have questioned his temperament. His 43-ball 66 included seven boundaries and three sixes, many coming through clever placement and his trademark slog-sweep. It was the innings Pakistan needed, and it earned him the man-of-the-match award.
At the other end, though, support was patchy. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman struggled to rotate strike, contributing to more than 30 dot balls in the innings. Fakhar’s demotion to number four, after being restored as opener in the recent tri-series, raised eyebrows and did little to boost momentum. Captain Salman Ali Agha fell cheaply, and Hasan Nawaz also struggled for fluency before Nawaz the all-rounder injected some urgency with a brisk 19 off 10.
Despite posting a competitive total, Pakistan’s batting left questions ahead of their clash against India. Oman’s bowling, while spirited, lacked the cutting edge that India’s spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy will bring on the same Dubai surface. Against such quality, Pakistan’s top order cannot afford the shaky start or sluggish middle overs seen in this game.
The win against Oman was ultimately comfortable, built on spin brilliance and Haris’s return to form. Yet, as Pakistan prepare for their biggest test against the reigning T20 World Champions, they know a far higher level of performance will be required. The spinners will need to replicate their magic, the batters must step up with consistency, and the team as a whole must show that they can handle pressure against elite opposition.
For now, Pakistan march on with two points, a solid margin of victory, and a reminder that while beating Oman is routine, the true challenge begins against India on Sunday.
