(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistan Face Oman in Asia Cup 2025 Opener: A Battle of Unequals
Pakistan will begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against Oman on Friday in Dubai, in what looks on paper like a clear mismatch between two very different cricketing sides.
Pakistan Enter as Strong Favorites
Pakistan, two-time Asia Cup champions, head into the tournament in top form after a dominant tri-series victory over Afghanistan just days ago. Even without experienced stars like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s squad boasts enough depth and quality to remain highly competitive.
Such is the gap in strength that any playing XI Pakistan fields — whether a full-strength lineup or one giving opportunities to fringe players — is expected to be too strong for Oman.
Oman’s Challenges Ahead
Oman arrive at the tournament underprepared and in transition. The team has undergone a major overhaul in the past two years following pay disputes with its cricket board, leading to the departure of several senior and experienced players.
The replacements are largely untested and relatively unknown, with many having little to no international exposure. Some players in the squad lack complete profiles on cricket databases, underlining their inexperience at this level.
Adding to their struggles, Oman have not played a competitive T20I in more than six months, their last outing being a three-match series loss to the USA in February.
Pakistan’s Dilemma: Full Strength or Rotation?
For Pakistan, the decision lies in whether to field a full-strength XI with one eye on the high-profile clash against India on September 14, or to give opportunities to bench players. Either way, the result is unlikely to change the balance of expectations.
Upset Unlikely
While cricket is known for its unpredictability, the current circumstances make Oman’s task extremely difficult. Pakistan’s depth, recent match practice, and overall experience place them as overwhelming favorites in this Group B encounter.
