Pakistan (160/7) defeat Oman (67) empathically by a big margin of 93 runs in their opening match of Asia Cup 2025

[sweep_shot]

You forgot about "I had a talk with him earlier".

LOL!!!!!

This line cracks me up. He says this often.

 

[sweep_shot]

Oman have an okay bowling attack. They just need to fix their batting. It is too weak. Weaker than Hong Kong's batting.

 

[Greenstorm]

Against India and in knockout games he has hit 140 even after injury. Even in PSL knockouts. It just takes extra energy from him but he can still bowl at 140.

He loses control when he does that. Even today he bowled one at 141 kph and it was a leg side half volley.

 

[RidiculousMan]

He loses control when he does that. Even today he bowled one at 141 kph and it was a leg side half volley.

You have not been following him as closely as I have.

 

[RidiculousMan]

This Shakeel guy looks a true no. 11. Must end his misery now

 

[sweep_shot]

This Shakeel guy looks a true no. 11. Must end his misery now

1* from 12 balls. LOL.

Anyway, he is hanging in there. Their main batters did worse.

 

[Rana]

Looking forward to the day Shan Masood retires and becomes a commentator

He’s boring too.

Being articulate means nothing. Urooj, Ramiz and Bazid are all articulate

Only Ramiz holds some kind of sway to be able to do commentary in an ICC final even if Pakistan isn’t playing just because he can be an entertaining speaker. He’s just a dumb@ss especially when it comes to white ball cricket

 

[jnaveen1980]

Tbh, the only time I find him to be a meaningful presence in the commentary box is when he is talking about the technical aspects of fast-bowling. He's not as hard on the ears as a Ramiz Raja but most of the time he doesn't have anything of substance to say

He needs a commentator to keep asking him questions so that he may give some relevant answer. If you leave him on his own he tries to fill the gap by reading the scorecard or stats. He is not even natural when he tries to add some excitement. That is his capacity.

 

[Greenstorm]

Urooj is 2nd best commentator in Pakistan after Ramiz. Rambo lacks insight but he is easy on the ears.

 

[G0rmintAunty]

I doubt it. He has never been the same since injury.

139.3 so far

 

[RidiculousMan]

He’s boring too.

Being articulate means nothing. Urooj, Ramiz and Bazid are all articulate

Only Ramiz holds some kind of sway to be able to do commentary in an ICC final even if Pakistan isn’t playing just because he can be an entertaining speaker. He’s just a dumb@ss especially when it comes to white ball cricket

Tariq Saeed is best. They should have him as Urdu commentator

 

[sweep_shot]

Pakistan should give Fakhar and Farhan an over each maybe. Just for fun.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Shaheen hardly plays any longer format. He still struggles for pace?

 

[castortroy]

Meanwhile are smashing it everywhere

 

[RidiculousMan]

Abrar's bowling has turned the most out of all spinners that have played in Dubai, in Asia Cup so far

 

[castortroy]

Meanwhile are smashing it everywhere

*England are 83 of 4.4 overs

 

[RidiculousMan]

Shaheen hardly plays any longer format. He still struggles for pace?

If 139 is considered struggling then Bumrah was struggling the most in the last game.

 

[castortroy]

Absolute carnage by England

 

[jnaveen1980]

England match shows what real international m atch is 87 runs in 5 overs

 

[Asad T]

Urooj is 2nd best commentator in Pakistan after Ramiz. Rambo lacks insight but he is easy on the ears.

The domestic guy, Sikandar Bakht is really underrated. Good analysis, great knowlege of domestic cricket, and captivating voice and energy too

he does PSL as well. but he's someone i'd like to see in the com box for main stream games

 

[jnaveen1980]

If 139 is considered struggling then Bumrah was struggling the most in the last game.

Bumrah's main format is Test format. Not this. Indai can win T20 without him.

 

[RidiculousMan]

This has turned into a Test match. Teasing last wicket

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

He needs a commentator to keep asking him questions so that he may give some relevant answer. If you leave him on his own he tries to fill the gap by reading the scorecard or stats. He is not even natural when he tries to add some excitement. That is his capacity.

I guess. I don't recall him being this bad though. During the Shaz and Waz days

 

[sweep_shot]

*England are 83 of 4.4 overs

88/0 after 5 overs.

Insane hitting.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Bumrah's main format is Test format. Not this. Indai can win T20 without him.

If speed won you trophies then Shoaib Akhtar would've had the most

 

[castortroy]

Genuinely don't think a single pak player would get into the England, SA, Indian or Aussie teams

 

[sweep_shot]

OMAN - 67/9 (16.2 overs).

Last wicket is putting up a bit of resistance.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Shakeel probably hit his 1st six in career. This is getting sloppy from Pakistan

 

[jnaveen1980]

I guess. I don't recall him being this bad though. During the Shaz and Waz days

Problem is he has been doing it for decades yet no improvement. THat is shocking.

 

[sweep_shot]

All over.

Oman are all-out for 67.

Pakistan win by 93 runs.

 

[castortroy]

Butler is going berserk

 

[Rana]

Tariq Saeed is best. They should have him as Urdu commentator

The guy who could have been good was Shoaib Akhtar

He is an entertainer. His English is just too flimsy, but he knows how to deliver punchlines

 

[Greenstorm]

The domestic guy, Sikandar Bakht is really underrated. Good analysis, great knowlege of domestic cricket, and captivating voice and energy too

he does PSL as well. but he's someone i'd like to see in the com box for main stream games

He lacks technical insight. He is at 4 behind Bazid.

Btw, Waqar Younis is also commentating in this Asia Cup.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Oman beat Mohammad Haris by 1 run

 

[Nasty Naz]

Great bowling performance overall. Spun Oman to oblivion.

Batting performances though... remains underwhelming. And I remain very concerned how this batting group will hold up against India & other good bowling sides.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The domestic guy, Sikandar Bakht is really underrated. Good analysis, great knowlege of domestic cricket, and captivating voice and energy too

he does PSL as well. but he's someone i'd like to see in the com box for main stream games

I honestly think he has the best voice for commentary.

 

[jnaveen1980]

If speed won you trophies then Shoaib Akhtar would've had the most

Bumrah's 139 kph will look like 145k because of his late release point. So he doesn't need "clock speeds"

 

[G0rmintAunty]

The domestic guy, Sikandar Bakht is really underrated. Good analysis, great knowlege of domestic cricket, and captivating voice and energy too

he does PSL as well. but he's someone i'd like to see in the com box for main stream games

Yeah, he is the best Pak commentator for me in terms of analysis, knowledge of the game and players and his English and baritone is also impressive. He had started to get more exposure last year but has somewhat got.down in the pecking order again after Ramiz, Bazid etc

 

[castortroy]

Great bowling performance overall. Spun Oman to oblivion.

Batting performances though... remains underwhelming. And I remain very concerned how this batting group will hold up against India & other good bowling sides.

The batting won't hold up.

Indian spinners and Bumrah will skittle the pak team out for below 100

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Good news we have started routing minnows again.

But what have they done to Saim? He should have been a specialist batter.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Broadcasters should start thinking more deeply about commentary because it greatly affects the quality of the broadcast.

In wrestling and UFC you generally have a play-by-play commentator paired with a color commentator. This allows both to focus on their part and in-between they can have conversations too.

 

[Asad T]

He lacks technical insight. He is at 4 behind Bazid.

Btw, Waqar Younis is also commentating in this Asia Cup.

Indeed, but he has decent strategic insight

Ramiz has very little technical insight as well
Waqar i'd say 4/10 technical insight

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Good news we have started routing minnows again.

But what have they done to Saim? He should have been a specialist batter.

What's wrong with him adding another skill? It benefits the team

 

[castortroy]

England might break record here

 

[Mainul]

Some natives are talking some bad things about some Pakistani commentators. What about ours? Oh no! Just think what we feel when ours 2 commentators are speaking rubbish in a match involving Bangladesh. In comparison to ours I find all the Pakistani commentators very much civilized , knowledgeable and skilled. Lol

 

[Mainul]

Who will be the 2nd pacer if needed ? 3rd one is Ashraf.

 

[saabir]

Pakistan should go with same team against India. Also Haris should bat at no 3.at no.7 he play like tailender

 

[Mainul]

Pakistani spinning side is top class. Shaheen bowling ok if not best. But who will be the 2nd one?

 

[Mainul]

Pakistan should go with same team against India. Also Haris should bat at no 3.at no.7 he play like tailender

Haris has serious issues against top class bowling.he is okay at 3 against minnows

 

[Greenstorm]

Who will be the 2nd pacer if needed ? 3rd one is Ashraf.

Faheem is the 2nd pacer.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I guess. I don't recall him being this bad though. During the Shaz and Waz days

I did post the other the day that Wasim had declined a lot. Complete lack of insight.

Back when he was starting out in '04 Asia Cup, he was actually pretty decent.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Emirates Cricket Board COO is an ex-PCB executive?

 

[Usman Chadda]

Not the timid fans.

How could you be scared knowing you have 2 proper mystery spinners against minnows?

It’s not like you have Nawaz, Shadab and Khushdil under Babar and Rizwan

This poster was giddy at the half-way stage.

Disappointed with the batting effort today though, no timing on any batters’ strokes besides Haris. Should have made 200 to make a statement here.

 

[Rana]

I did post the other the day that Wasim had declined a lot. Complete lack of insight

Wasim Akram proves Playing intellect and spoken cricket intellect are two very different things

There are people who play amateur Sunday pub cricket who will speak better on cricket than Wasim Akram….

But the player Akram was a genius

 

[YousafTheBeast]

I am in the stadium here, the lack of strength was visible.

Farhan and Fakhar specially looked like they had no timing whatsoever and no strength to hit their strokes.

All in all a horrific batting performance besides Haris.

I wouldn’t say they don’t have the strength, lol…timing yes…

 

[The Bald Eagle]

From Post match presentation:

Salman Agha | Pakistan captain: With the bat we still need some work. The bowling was outstanding, I am happy with the bowling unit. We have three spinners and they are all different, even Ayub, we have 4-5 good options and you need that when playing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. With the start we got, we should have got 180 but that's how cricket goes. We have been playing some really good cricket, we won the tri-series and won here comfortably, if we executed our plans for a longer period then we are good enough to beat any team.

Mohammad Haris | Player of the Match: It was very good. It was a much needed innings for me and Pakistan. When we came here it (the pitch) was looking very good, very flat but the ball was not coming on and we did well to put the runs on the board. That (batting aggressively) was what I was doing for Pakistan and in the PSL, the skipper also told me to play aggressively.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Pakistan begins Asia Cup 2025 with a dominant win over Oman

Pakistan kicked off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a decisive 93-run victory over Oman, marking a perfect start to the tournament and their first-ever senior international match against the team.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 160 for 7. The innings was anchored by a blistering half-century from Mohammad Haris, who scored a superb 66 off just 43 balls to earn the Player of the Match award. He was supported by Sahibzada Farhan with 29 runs and an unbeaten 23 from Fakhar Zaman. Oman's bowlers, Aamir Kaleem (3 for 30) and Shah Faisal (3 for 34), did well to contain the scoring.

In their chase, Oman’s batting lineup crumbled, unable to handle Pakistan's attack. Saim Ayub (2 for 8), Faheem Ashraf (2 for 6), and Sufiyan Muqeem (2 for 7) each picked up two wickets, effectively dismantling the opposition. Oman was bowled out for a mere 67 in 16.4 overs, with only Hammad Mirza showing any notable resistance with a score of 27.

The commanding win gives Pakistan their first two points of the tournament, building strong momentum as they head into their next ma
tch.

 

[AZulfi]

Dominant win but not a convincing batting performance.

The game on Sunday and Super4 matches will tell us more

 

[jnaveen1980]

Rabada how many noballs in 4 overs? 4 or 5. another noball

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Mohammad Haris shared following thoughts in post-match press conference today:

On Team Confidence and Support
"Yes, it is very important for any player, and the way the team supported me—not just the captain and coach but also the senior players—I am very thankful to all of them. These are tough times, and it is very difficult for a player to perform when they are not in form and facing a lot of criticism. We have to take that criticism positively, and I am grateful to the captain, coaches, and senior players in the team."

On Batting Position
"Sir, it's about the team's requirements. Wherever they need me, I'm ready to bat. Even if they want me to go to number 10 in the next match, I'm prepared. I don't have any complaints, and I will be ready to bat wherever the team feels is the right place for me."

On the India Match
"This match is over now. We will rest tomorrow and then we will look ahead to the 14th."

On Batting Preparation
"Yes, of course. The conditions in Sharjah were different; these are different. The pitch here is different. I have worked a lot on my batting with the batting coach. I am still working on it and need to do more. It's not a complete job, and I'm still working on my game. I know exactly what I need to do to handle spin, and I'm working on that. I'm also consulting with and working alongside senior players and the batting coach. So, God willing, this will be resolved."

On Team Management Support
"Sir, the team management has not said anything like that. They have always supported me. I've had a discussion with the Sahibzade, and he, as a wicketkeeper, saw the batting in the tri-series and the Asia Cup. The confidence he gave me, it was my duty to deliver for them. By the grace of God, I was able to do it today, and I will continue to try and deliver and live up to their trust."

On Pitch Conditions
"This pitch is better than the one in Sharjah. The ball came onto the bat relatively well. It doesn't spin as much here; it gripped more in Sharjah. The pitch here is two-paced and doesn't spin as much. You get runs here, and you could say the boundary is also small on one side. There wasn't as much spin here, whereas a lot was happening there."

On Strike Rate and Team Approach
"Look, this team has proven itself. We scored 180 in Dhaka, which no other team could do. You can check the records in Mirpur. We scored 180 in the West Indies and 200 in Sharjah. The Pakistan team has scored 200 runs in the UAE; we had 200 runs there as well. The team's approach will remain the same. This is how we are playing, and it is also the suggestion and direction from the coach and captain."

 

[Wasim Ghulam]

My Dear,
I refused to watch India vs Pakistan match out of respect. I stand by my stance.

For the terrorist incident in May which was supported by Pakistan army in which 26 Hindu men were killed on the basis of religion. It’s something that cannot be forgiven.

Whats the evidence that Pakistan was involved? we are still waiting.. India attacked Pakistani citizens in May without providing evidence either to Pakistan or International community

its high time you stop doing propaganda on PP

 

[jamie smith fan]

Waiting for 14th sep to see kis main kitna hai dum

 

[Savak]

Pakistani batsmen have been playing in UAE especially Dubai as their home ground since 2009, they still cannot adapt to the slow nature of the wickets.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Mohammad Haris getting runs was important for him & the Pakistan team.

Playing Nawaz, Abrar & Sufiyaan with Saim combination is wielding fruits as they all look in some rhythm as well as Shaheen.

Agha Ail Salman captaincy is positive as well as, seems to carry himself well as a leader. Nawaz & Faheem getting some runs down the order has become imperative.

Now the negatives, Pakistan batting again failing to impress. Bar Haris, no one really convince especially considering the next opponent for Pakistan in the tournament.

You kind of sense with some of the batters that they are jittery & lacking confidence specially from your senior players. They need to understand the conditions quicker for them to get going. You no longer get time in T20 cricket, I mean just look at Phil namaks batting today. Just brilliant knock.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

 

[gazza619]

Opponents?

Oman, Turkey, Azarbaijaan, UAE and a few others

 

[Raja Ishtiaq]

We were very lucky that this game was against Oman.

Any half decent team would have easily chased this score.

We were around 30-40 runs short!

If we had RizBabar as our openers we could have reached 200 yaar

 

[Rana]

Oman, Turkey, Azarbaijaan, UAE and a few others

Is RizBaristan playing against Turkey and Azarbaijaan?

Why are you do hurt at Pakistan hitting 153 sixes in the year 2025 and breaking a record?

 

[Rana]

If we had RizBabar as our openers we could have reached 200 yaar

Alhamdolillah

We will never ever know if this is true. Nor do we care to know.

 

[Raja Ishtiaq]

Alhamdolillah

We will never ever know if this is true. Nor do we care to know.

Alot of us do care and just want the best players in the team. Rizwan and Babar walk into this side.

 

[topspin]

We were very lucky that this game was against Oman.

Any half decent team would have easily chased this score.

We were around 30-40 runs short!

If we had RizBabar as our openers we could have reached 200 yaar

Babar can't play spin to save his life. Rizwan yes, if the bowlers give him nothing but pies down the leg-side.