Pretty much every international tournament features teams that seem out of their depth, and Oman is a perfect example. Facing Pakistan in the opening match of Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai, this small cricket side looks overmatched.
Pakistan, two-time champions, recently crushed Afghanistan in a tri-nation final and can afford to rest stars like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan while remaining dominant.
Oman’s squad has undergone a massive overhaul over the past two years due to a pay dispute. Experienced players have been replaced with newcomers whose records are barely documented. Some, like Shah Faisal and Sufyan Yousaf, remain almost unknown in cricketing circles, and the team has not played a competitive T20I since February, losing all three matches to the USA. In contrast, Pakistan has been active and in top form.
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On paper, Pakistan’s victory is all but guaranteed, even if fringe players are given a chance. The mismatch is so stark that the outcome is expected to favor Pakistan comfortably, reinforcing their status as Asia’s T20 powerhouse.
