In a must-win Group A clash of the Asia Cup 2025, the United Arab Emirates produced a complete performance to defeat Oman by 42 runs and stay in the hunt for a Super Four berth. Playing in Abu Dhabi, UAE delivered a commanding all-round show, combining aggressive batting with clinical bowling to outclass their Gulf rivals and keep their campaign alive.
Batting first after being asked to set a target, UAE got exactly the start they were looking for. Openers Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu set the tone early, putting on an 88-run stand that frustrated the Oman bowlers and silenced any early hopes of a breakthrough. Sharafu played the aggressor, racing to 51 off just 38 deliveries with crisp stroke-play through the covers and a couple of big sixes over mid-wicket. Waseem, leading from the front, played the anchor role to perfection, compiling a captain’s knock of 69 off 54 balls, mixing caution with calculated aggression. Their partnership laid the foundation for a total that was always going to be challenging under lights.
The middle order chipped in to ensure UAE crossed the psychological barrier of 170. Muhammad Zohaib’s 21 off 12 balls and Harshit Kaushik’s 19 in the death overs provided the final flourish. UAE closed their innings at 172 for 5, a score that looked slightly above par on a surface offering grip to the spinners but still providing value for shots.
Oman’s chase never really took off. Junaid Siddique, easily the pick of the UAE bowlers, struck early to remove both openers Aamir Kaleem and Jatinder Singh inside the first five overs. His final figures of 4 for 23 were match-defining, as every breakthrough he provided snuffed out Oman’s attempts to rebuild. Haider Ali complemented him well with 2 for 22, maintaining relentless pressure in the middle overs, while Muhammad Jawadullah’s 2 for 18 sealed the lower-order collapse.
Oman’s batters struggled to stitch partnerships under scoreboard pressure. Aryan Bisht’s 24 and Vinayak Shukla’s 20 were the only notable contributions, but neither innings could shift the momentum back in their favour. Once the required run rate climbed into double digits, panic set in, and wickets tumbled. Oman were eventually bowled out for 130 in 18.4 overs, handing UAE a comprehensive win.
This victory not only boosts UAE’s net run rate but also injects fresh belief into their campaign. After earlier setbacks in the group stage, they now have a realistic chance of qualifying for the Super Four if they can string together another win and hope for favourable results elsewhere.
For Oman, this defeat highlights familiar problems: top-order fragility and a lack of depth in finishing games. With elimination looming, they will need a dramatic turnaround in their final fixture to stay alive in the tournament.
For UAE, though, this was the perfect response under pressure — a statement win that keeps their Asia Cup dreams very much alive and shows they are ready to compete with the bigger sides.
12BET Shortlisted for Sportsbook Operator of the Year at SBC Awards 2025