The United Arab Emirates (UAE) registered a commanding 42-run win over Oman in the Group A encounter of Asia Cup 2025 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Monday, September 15. Composed half-centuries from Alishan Sharafu and Muhammad Waseem, and a superb bowling display led by Junaid Siddique ensured UAE had the upper hand throughout the contest.
UAE’s strong start at the top
After Oman captain Aamir Kaleem won the toss and elected to bowl first, UAE’s opening pair of Alishan Sharafu and Muhammad Waseem walked out with clear intent. Sharafu set the tone with fluent stroke play, punishing the loose balls on offer, while Waseem anchored the innings from the other end.
Sharafu brought up his fifty off 38 balls, decorated with seven fours and a towering six, before departing for 51. His innings gave UAE the platform they needed. Waseem continued to build momentum with a well-paced 69 from 54 deliveries, striking six fours and three sixes, and shepherding the innings into the death overs.
Cameos from Muhammad Zohaib Khan (21 off 13 balls) and Harshit Kaushik (19 off 8 balls) added valuable late runs as UAE closed their innings at an imposing 172 for 5 in 20 overs.
Muhammad Waseem guided UAE to a competitive total: https://t.co/hYxO99uauV#cricket #UAEvOMAN #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/ymvib7s0MZ
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 15, 2025
For Oman, bowling discipline was hard to come by. Jiten Ramanandi emerged as the most effective bowler, claiming 2 for 24 in his four overs, while Hassnain Shah and Samay Shrivastava chipped in with a wicket each. However, loose spells from others, including Faisal Shah’s 0 for 45, allowed UAE to keep the scoreboard ticking freely.
Oman falter under pressure
Chasing 173, Oman needed a brisk start, and opener Jatinder Singh briefly raised hopes with a sparkling cameo of 20 off just 10 balls, hitting four boundaries. But his dismissal triggered a collapse as wickets fell in clusters.
The middle order struggled to keep up with the required rate. Aryan Bisht tried to hold the innings together with a patient 24 off 32 balls, while Vinayak Shukla (20 off 17) and Jiten Ramanandi (13 off 9) showed flashes of resistance. However, none of the batsmen could convert their starts into a decisive innings.
The UAE bowlers maintained relentless pressure. Leading the charge was seamer Junaid Siddique, who ripped through the Omani batting with figures of 4 for 23 in his four overs. His disciplined line and length dismantled the middle order. He was well supported by Haider Ali (2 for 22) and Muhammad Jawad Ullah (2 for 18), who ensured Oman never found any rhythm. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 130 in 18.4 overs, falling well short of the target.
UAE won by 42 runs 👉 https://t.co/hYxO99uauV#cricket #UAEvOMAN #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/KDniXVnAKd
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 15, 2025
The Player of the Match award deservedly went to Alishan Sharafu for his stylish 51 at the top of the order, which set the tone for the team’s triumph.
