Cricket fans are in for a thrilling week as the Asia Cup 2025 heats up in Dubai. Before the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan showdown on September 14, Pakistan will first lock horns with Oman on September 12 at the Dubai International Stadium. This opening fixture for Pakistan provides a crucial opportunity to fine-tune their squad ahead of the high-stakes clash against India.
Led by Salman Agha, the Pakistani side is riding high on confidence after clinching the T20 tri-series title against Afghanistan. They’ll be keen to carry that momentum forward with a strong start to their Asia Cup campaign.
First-Ever T20I Clash Between Pakistan and Oman
Interestingly, this will be the first time Pakistan and Oman meet in a T20 International. While Pakistan has a balanced track record in the T20 Asia Cup – five wins and five losses in ten matchesO – man is still finding its footing. Oman, captained by Jatinder Singh, has played just three T20 Asia Cup games so far, managing one win and two losses.
Though Pakistan clearly starts as favourites on paper, Oman will be eager to punch above their weight and make a statement against a cricketing heavyweight.
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Dubai Pitch Report: A Spinner’s Paradise
The Dubai International Stadium is known for its slow, spin-friendly surface. While fast bowlers might find some assistance early on with the new ball, it’s the spinners who tend to make the most impact as the match progresses. Batters will need to work hard for their runs on this pitch, where the average first-innings score is around 144.
Out of the 95 T20Is played at this venue, teams batting first have won 46 times, while the chasing side has emerged victorious in 48 matches – making the toss relatively balanced but perhaps slightly favouring the chasing team.
When and Where to Watch Pakistan vs Oman, Asia Cup 2025
The match between Pakistan and Oman, the fourth game of the Asia Cup 2025, will begin at 8:00 PM IST on September 12. Fans in India can catch the action live on the Sony Sports Network. For those preferring digital viewing, the match will also be streamed live on the Sony Liv app.
Probable Playing XIs
Pakistan (Probable XI):
Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir
Oman (Probable XI):
Jatinder Singh (c), Aqib Ilyas, Kashyap Prajapati, Zeeshan Maqsood, Mohammad Nadeem, Ayaan Khan, Naseem Khushi (wk), Bilal Khan, Kaleemullah, Fayyaz Butt, Jay Odedra
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