Pakistan skittle Oman for winning Asia Cup start

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Asia Cup, Group A, Dubai

Pakistan 160-7 (20 overs): Haris 66 (43); Kaleem 3-31

Oman 67 (16.4 overs): Mirza 27 (23); Ashraf 2-6, Muqeem 2-7, Ayub 2-8

Pakistan won by 93 runs

Pakistan bundled out Oman for 67 as they opened their Asia Cup campaign with a crushing 93-run win in Dubai.

Mohammad Haris’ 66 from 43 balls took the two-time champions to 160-7 from their 20 overs before they dismissed Oman in 16.4.

Although Pakistan were not entirely comfortable, it was the fourth big win for the major international sides early in this year’s tournament, after India dismissed United Arab Emirates for 57 in a nine-wicket win and Afghanistan and Bangladesh beat Hong Kong by 94 runs and seven wickets respectively.

Opener Saim Ayub and captain Salman Agha were both out for first-ball ducks, while Pakistan failed to kick on from 102-2 after Haris dragged on to left-arm spinner Aamir Kaleem, who took 3-31, in the 13th over.

Oman, who qualified for the last T20 World Cup and will play in the Asia qualifier for a place at 2026 tournament next month, reached 41-2 in reply, but lost their next seven wickets for 10 runs and the remaining eight for 26.

Seamer Faheem Ashraf took 2-6, wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem 2-7 and Ayub 2-8 with his off-spin.

Pakistan, who left former captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan out of their squad, play rivals India in Dubai on Sunday.