Asia Cup: All-round Pakistan pummel Oman, build momentum for India clash

Former champions Pakistan began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in dominant fashion, hammering Oman in a Group A fixture on Friday, 12 September. It was a mismatch as a disciplined Pakistan side outclassed debutants Oman in all three departments, gaining valuable confidence ahead of their much-anticipated clash with arch-rivals India on Sunday.

With India having thrashed the UAE by nine wickets in a record-breaking win on Wednesday, and Pakistan starting their campaign by avoiding a familiar banana skin, Sunday’s encounter is perfectly set up.

PAK vs OMA Asia Cup: Highlights

Whether Pakistan can translate their dominance against Oman into a genuine challenge for the peerless Indian side — the reigning T20 world champions — remains to be seen. However, countless Pakistan fans would have been relieved that their team did not suffer another upset at the hands of a lower-ranked opponent, as has been the case in recent ICC tournaments. Pakistan’s painful defeats to the USA in the 2024 T20 World Cup and to Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India still linger as reminders of their inconsistency on the big stage.

More to follow.