Daijiworld Media Network- Dubai

Dubai, Sept 11: Pakistan will look to sharpen their skills ahead of the much-awaited India encounter when they open their Asia Cup Group A campaign against debutants Oman on Friday.

The men in green arrive with momentum, having recently clinched the T20 Tri-Series by defeating Afghanistan by 75 runs in the final. Mohammad Nawaz’s hat-trick headlined the triumph, which also featured UAE. Ranked eighth in the world, Pakistan are banking on youthful energy and spin-friendly tactics suited for UAE conditions.

“We wanted to prepare in a way that helps us for the Asia Cup and we’ve done that. The boys are in very good shape,” skipper Salman Agha said, reflecting confidence in his young squad.

With stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan unavailable, the team will rely on emerging talents such as Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Nawaz, and Sufiyan Muqeem to deliver.

Group A features India, Pakistan, Oman, and UAE, setting up a high-voltage clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on Sunday in Dubai. Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. The top two from each group advance to the Super 4 stage, with the finalists to be decided in Dubai on September 28.

For Oman, who are making their Asia Cup debut, the challenge is steep but the dream is real. “Most of us balanced jobs and cricket, but now it’s a dream come true to represent Oman in such a tournament,” captain Jatinder Singh said.

With Pakistan adopting an aggressive “attack from ball one” approach under Agha’s leadership, Friday’s opener will not only test Oman’s resolve but also set the tone for Pakistan ahead of the blockbuster against India.