Pakistan will begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a Group A clash against Oman at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday, September 12.
Fresh off a confidence-boosting tri-series triumph over Afghanistan and the UAE in Sharjah, Pakistan head into this encounter as strong favourites. Their squad looks well-balanced, with Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub in good touch, Salman Ali Agha leading the side with composure, and Mohammad Nawaz contributing with both bat and ball. The pace attack will be spearheaded by Shaheen Afridi, while Dubai’s spin-friendly surface later in the game could highlight the importance of Nawaz and young spinner Sufiyan Muqeem.
For Oman, this fixture marks their maiden appearance in the Asia Cup, but the road to this tournament has been far from smooth. Much has changed since their qualification campaign 18 months ago, with several senior players departing following internal disputes. This reshaped squad has yet to find stability, as reflected in their disappointing run of results, including a 3-0 T20I series defeat to the United States earlier this year. Still, Oman will look to rely on the experience of captain Jatinder Singh, whose batting form remains their biggest asset. Support could come from Hammad Mirza and Vinayak Shukla, while all-rounders Sufyan Mehmood and Aamir Kaleem are expected to shoulder the burden with the ball.
Dubai International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is one of the most balanced yet batting-friendly venues in T20 cricket. The surface offers consistent bounce and reliable carry, allowing batters to trust the pitch and play their shots with freedom. As a result, scores in the first innings generally hover between 130 and 150, ensuring competitive contests without either extreme low totals or excessively high-scoring encounters.
For bowlers, there is some early assistance with the new ball. Pacers can extract bounce and a hint of movement in the opening overs, but that advantage quickly fades as the pitch flattens out. Spinners have historically found little purchase in T20s at this ground, with minimal grip or turn on offer, limiting their influence.
Another defining characteristic of the venue is its chasing bias. Under lights, batting becomes easier, and teams batting second often hold the upper hand. The ground dimensions add to this advantage, with straight boundaries around 72 meters and square boundaries ranging from 64 to 67 meters, providing ample scoring opportunities.
Given these factors, the toss is crucial. Captains frequently choose to bowl first, capitalizing on early conditions before setting up a chase in friendlier circumstance.
Dubai International Cricket Stadium T20I Stats and Records
- Total matches: 111
- Matches won batting first: 51
- Matches won bowling first: 59
- Average 1st innings scores: 139
- Average 2nd innings scores: 122
- Highest total recorded: 212/2 (20 Ov) by India vs Afghanistan
- Lowest total recorded: 55/10 (14.2 Ov) by West Indies vs England
- Highest score chased: 184/8 (19.2 Ov) by Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
- Lowest score defended: 98/5 (20 Ov) by Namibia Women vs UAE Women
Also READ: Top 5 lowest totals in Asia Cup T20I history ft. UAE
