Saturday 15 / November / 2025
Muscat: Zikria Islam’s late blitz of 57 runs could not prevent Oman from suffering a 40-run defeat against Pakistan A in the Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 opener at West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Friday.
Coming in at No.7, Islam struck 57 off 28 balls, displaying his hitting prowess alongside Muzahir Raza, who remained unbeaten on 46 off 24 balls with four fours and four sixes.
Despite their late resistance, Oman could only reach 180 for nine in response to a challenging target of 221.
Pakistan A, also known as Shaheens, had earlier posted 220 for four in 20 overs, powered by a stellar performance from left-handed opener Maaz Sadaqat.
Sadaqat smashed 96 not out off 54 balls, including five fours and nine sixes, holding the innings together after the early dismissal of Mohammad Naeem.
Yasir Khan contributed a steady 26, while captain Muhammad Irfan Khan accelerated the scoring with 44 off 21 balls, hitting five sixes. Saad Masood’s unbeaten 19 off six balls in the final overs helped push Pakistan to a formidable total.
Oman’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Raza returning the most economical figures of 1 for 27.
In reply, Pakistan fast bowler Ubaid Shah claimed three for 29, Sadaqat took two for 14, and leg-spinner Masood also chipped in with two for 27 to ensure Oman never got close to the target.
Oman now meet UAE in a match on Sunday that will be a T20I game before taking on India on November 18.
In another Group B match on Friday, teen sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi continued to smash records as he blazed 144 off just 42 deliveries in India A's opening game in the Asia Cup against UAE. India A won by 148 runs. Batting first, India scored 297/4 and then restricted the UAE to 149/7.
Brief scores: Pakistan Shaheens: 220/4 (Maaz Sadaqat 96*, Muhammad Irfan Khan 44, Yasir Khan 26) beat Oman 180/9 (Zikria Islam 57, Muzahir Raza 46*, Hammad Mirza 34; Ubaid Shah 3-29, Maaz Sadaqat 2-14, Saad Masood 2-27).
