UAE secured a vital 42-run victory over Oman in the 7th match of the Asia Cup 2025 Group A at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on September 15, 2025, bolstering their chances of reaching the Super Four. This analysis, grounded in verified data from ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and The Economic Times, details player performances, innings summaries, and key moments. Captain Muhammad Waseem’s 69 off 54 and Alishan Sharafu’s 51 off 38 powered UAE to 172/5, while Junaid Siddique’s 4/23 triggered Oman’s collapse to 130 in 18.4 overs. Below, we break down UAE’s dominant display.
Match Overview
- Sport: Cricket
- League: Asia Cup 2025 (T20 Format)
- Matchup: UAE vs Oman
- Match Covered: 7th Match, Group A — September 15, 2025
- Result: UAE won by 42 runs (UAE 172/5 in 20 overs; Oman 130 all out in 18.4 overs)
- Venue & Date: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi — September 15, 2025
- Toss: Oman won and elected to field
- Match Duration: 3 hours, 20 minutes
- Attendance: ~10,000
Oman’s decision to bowl first on a slow, spin-friendly pitch backfired as UAE’s openers set a strong platform, exploiting early fielding errors. Oman’s chase faltered after a shaky powerplay, with UAE’s pace and spin attack dismantling the middle order. This win moves UAE to 1-1 in Group A, level on points with Pakistan, while Oman’s 0-2 record leaves them on the verge of elimination.
UAE Innings: 172/5 (20 overs)
Innings Summary
UAE’s innings was built on a commanding 89-run opening partnership between Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu, as per ESPNcricinfo’s scorecard. Waseem’s 69 off 54, including six fours and one six, anchored the innings, while Sharafu’s 51 off 38 (five fours) provided early momentum. After Sharafu’s dismissal at 89/1 (12.1 overs), Vriitya Aravind (17 off 13) and Tanish Suri (13 off 10) added quick runs, but UAE lost three wickets in the final two overs to Jiten Ramanandi and Aamir Kaleem, finishing at 172/5. Oman’s spinners slowed the scoring mid-innings, but fielding lapses allowed UAE to post a competitive total.
Key UAE Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Muhammad Waseem (Captain) | 69 (54) | 127.78 | Half-century off 42 balls; six fours, one six; anchored innings |
| Alishan Sharafu | 51 (38) | 134.21 | Half-century; five fours; Player of the Match |
| Vriitya Aravind (WK) | 17 (13) | 130.76 | Quick middle-order runs; caught off Ramanandi |
| Tanish Suri | 13 (10) | 130.00 | Brief cameo; bowled by Kaleem |
| Basil Hameed | 8 (5) | 160.00 | Late runs; caught in final over |
Oman Bowling Figures
- Jiten Ramanandi (Spinner): 4-0-24-2, Econ 6.00, 2 wkts (Aravind, Hameed). Key strikes in death.
- Aamir Kaleem (Spinner): 4-0-35-2, Econ 8.75, 2 wkts (Suri, Waseem). Middle and late pressure.
- Shakeel Ahmad (Pacer): 4-0-36-1, Econ 9.00, 1 wkt (Sharafu). Powerplay wicket.
- Bilal Khan (Pacer): 4-0-40-0, Econ 10.00, 0 wkts. Struggled in death.
- Shah Faisal (Pacer): 4-0-37-0, Econ 9.25, 0 wkts. Leaked runs early.
Key Moments (UAE Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace (Faisal, Ahmad) | Waseem-Sharafu reach 41/0; strong start. 41 runs. |
| 7-10 | Spin (Kaleem, Ramanandi) | Sharafu’s 50; 89/0 at 10 overs. 48 runs. |
| 11-15 | Mixed attack | Sharafu out (89/1, 12.1 ov); Aravind adds 17. 35 runs, 1 wkt. |
| 16-20 | Spin/pace | Waseem out (150/3, 18.2 ov); two wickets in final over. 37 runs, 3 wkts. |
Oman Innings: 130 all out (18.4 overs)
Innings Summary
Oman’s chase stumbled early, reaching 41/4 after the powerplay, with Junaid Siddique removing Jatinder Singh (20 off 10) and Kashyap Prajapati (15 off 14). A 39-run stand between Aryan Bisht (24 off 22) and Zeeshan Maqsood (18 off 16) briefly revived hopes, reaching 80/4 by the 12th over. Siddique’s return in the 16th over (two wickets) sparked a collapse, with Oman losing six wickets for 50 runs. Haider Ali (2/18) and Basil Hameed (2/28) chipped in, and a run-out of Maqsood ended the innings at 130 in 18.4 overs. The slow pitch and UAE’s tight bowling exposed Oman’s middle-order struggles.
Key Oman Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Aryan Bisht | 24 (22) | 109.09 | Top-scored; lbw to Hameed |
| Jatinder Singh (Captain) | 20 (10) | 200.00 | Aggressive start; caught off Siddique |
| Zeeshan Maqsood | 18 (16) | 112.50 | Middle-overs stand; run out |
| Kashyap Prajapati | 15 (14) | 107.14 | Early runs; bowled by Ali |
| Mohammad Nadeem | 12 (10) | 120.00 | Late effort; caught off Siddique |
UAE Bowling Figures
- Junaid Siddique (Pacer): 3.4-0-23-4, Econ 6.38, 4 wkts (Singh, Prajapati, Nadeem, Ahmad). Powerplay and 16th-over strikes.
- Haider Ali (Pacer): 4-0-18-2, Econ 4.50, 2 wkts (Prajapati, Shrivastava). Early and late wickets.
- Basil Hameed (Spinner): 4-0-28-2, Econ 7.00, 2 wkts (Bisht, Kaleem). Mid-overs control.
- Muhammad Jawadullah (Pacer): 3-0-25-0, Econ 8.33, 0 wkts. Run-out assist.
- Rohan Mustafa (Spinner): 4-0-24-0, Econ 6.00, 0 wkts. Tight spell.
Key Moments (Oman Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace (Siddique, Ali) | Singh out (25/1, 3.2 ov); 41/4 at end. |
| 7-12 | Spin/pace mix | Bisht-Maqsood 39-run stand; 80/4 at 12 ov. 39 runs. |
| 13-16 | Siddique return | Two wickets in 16th (100/6, 15.3 ov); collapse begins. 20 runs, 2 wkts. |
| 17-18.4 | Pace/spin | Maqsood run out; all out 130 (18.4 ov). 30 runs, 4 wkts. |
Head-to-Head Analysis
UAE lead Oman 8-5 in T20Is, with this 42-run win marking their third Asia Cup victory against them (3-1). The 89-run opening stand by Waseem and Sharafu was UAE’s highest against Oman in T20Is, per ESPNcricinfo. Oman’s powerplay collapse to 41/4 was their worst in Asia Cup history, highlighting batting vulnerabilities against UAE’s disciplined attack.
UAE’s Strengths:
- Opening partnership: 89-run stand set a defendable total.
- Bowling discipline: Siddique’s 4/23; five bowlers used (Econ 6.96).
Oman’s Strengths:
- Spin bowling: Ramanandi (2/24) and Kaleem (2/35) restricted late surge.
- Mid-innings fight: 39-run Bisht-Maqsood stand.
Match Standouts
UAE
- Muhammad Waseem: 69 off 54, SR 127.78. Anchored innings; six fours, one six.
- Alishan Sharafu: 51 off 38, Player of the Match. Fluent half-century; five fours.
- Junaid Siddique: 4/23, Econ 6.38. Powerplay and middle-overs breakthroughs.
Oman
- Aryan Bisht: 24 off 22, SR 109.09. Top-scored in chase.
- Jatinder Singh: 20 off 10, SR 200.00. Aggressive powerplay start.
- Jiten Ramanandi: 2/24, Econ 6.00. Key wickets in death.
Series Context
UAE (1-1, 2nd in Group A)
After a 9-wicket loss to India, UAE’s victory levels them on points with Pakistan in Group A, with net run rate keeping them in contention. Their final group match against Pakistan (Sep 17) is crucial for Super Four qualification, with coach Lalchand Rajput emphasizing aggressive batting.
Oman (0-2, Bottom of Group A)
Following a 93-run defeat to Pakistan, Oman’s second loss leaves them nearly eliminated, with only a slim mathematical chance of advancing. Captain Jatinder Singh urged resilience for their final group game against India (Sep 19).
Injury and Roster Notes
UAE: No reported injuries; unchanged XI from India match.
Oman: No injuries; Aryan Bisht included as one of three changes from Pakistan game.
Conclusion
UAE outclassed Oman by 42 runs in their Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash (UAE 172/5; Oman 130), with Waseem’s 69, Sharafu’s 51, and Siddique’s 4/23 proving decisive. UAE’s win keeps them in the Super Four race, while Oman faces a tough road ahead. For full scorecards and highlights, visit ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, or The Economic Times.
