DUBAI: Wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris’s maiden half-century powered Pakistan to a formidable total against Oman in the fourth match of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan registered 160/7 in their allotted 20 overs despite the middle-order collapse.
The Green Shirts got off to a dismal start as their opener, Saim Ayub, fell for a golden duck on the second delivery of the innings with just four runs on the board.
Following the early setback, Haris joined opening batter Sahibzada Farhan in the middle, and the duo batted sensibly to launch a significant recovery by putting together 85 runs for the second wicket.
The anchoring stand eventually culminated on the final delivery of the 11th over when Aamir Kaleem got Farhan caught and bowled. The right-handed batter walked back after scoring a run-a-ball 29, featuring one four.
Kaleem made twin strikes in his next over, dismissing Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha (zero) and mainstay Haris, who remained their top scorer with 66 off 43 deliveries, studded with seven fours and three sixes.
Meanwhile, experienced Fakhar Zaman, who had come out to bat at number four, was then involved in a brief 18-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Hasan Nawaz, who could score nine off 15 deliveries before falling victim to Faisal.
With the scoreboard reading 120/5 in 16.4 overs, in-form all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz joined Fakhar in the middle and played a blistering 19-run cameo off 10 balls, bolstering the total to 148/5 in 18.5 overs before Faisal drew curtains on his blitz.
Fakhar remained a notable contributor to Pakistan’s total with an unbeaten 23 off 16 deliveries, featuring two fours.
Aamir and Faisal jointly led Oman’s bowling charge with three wickets each, while Muhammad Nadeem chipped in with one scalp.
