The Asia Cup 2025 heats up as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) face Oman in the seventh match of the tournament. Both teams are eager to make an impact, despite challenging recent form. Scheduled for September 15th at 5:30 PM local time, this fixture promises a competitive battle as these squads traditionally perform closely against each other.
Match Details
- Date & Time: September 15th, 5:30 PM (local)
- Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
The Battleground: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
The venue has witnessed a total of 68 T20 matches:
- Teams batting first have won 28 times.
- Teams chasing have won 40 times, indicating a clear advantage for chasing teams.
- Average first innings score: 143 runs.
- Highest-ever score: 225 runs (Ireland).
- Lowest-ever score: 66 runs (Nigeria).
Pitch and Scoring Insights
- Scores below 150: 42 times
- Scores between 150–170: 14 times
- Scores between 170–190: 7 times
- Scores above 190: 5 times
These numbers suggest a low-scoring match, with scores likely around 150 or below. However, if UAE bats first, there’s potential for a higher total. The pitch offers notable help for bowlers, making run-scoring challenging.
Recent Asia Cup 2025 Matches at Sheikh Zayed Stadium
Three games have been played at this venue during the current Asia Cup:
- Two wins for teams chasing, one win for teams batting first—confirming the chasing advantage.
- Fast bowlers: 19 wickets (9 in 1st innings, 10 in 2nd)
- Spinners: 11 wickets (7 in 1st innings, 4 in 2nd)
Fast bowlers appear to have a slight edge, especially in the second innings.
Key Recent Results
- Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka chased down 139, winning by 6 wickets. Both fast bowlers and spinners took 4 wickets each.
- Hong Kong vs Bangladesh: Bangladesh chased successfully, fast bowlers took 7 wickets, spinners 2.
- Afghanistan vs Hong Kong: Afghanistan set 188, won by 94 runs. Fast bowlers took 8 wickets, spinners 5.
Team Form & Head-to-Head Record
- Recent Form: Both UAE and Oman have lost all their last five matches—making this a must-win for gaining confidence and momentum.
- Head-to-Head (last 5 years): 6 matches, each team has 3 wins. This suggests a balanced rivalry where outcomes are hard to predict.
UAE Squad & Key Players
Probable Playing XI:
- Sarfoo
- Muhammad Waseem (Captain)
- Muhammad Zoheb
- Rahul Chopra (Wicketkeeper)
- Asif Khan
- Harshit Kaushik
- Dhruv Parashar
- Simranjeet Singh
- Haider Ali
- Junaid Siddiqui
- Muhammad Rohed Khan
Bowling Duties:
- Powerplay: Haider Ali, Simranjeet Singh, Junaid Siddiqui
- Death overs: Muhammad Rohed Khan, Junaid Siddiqui
Player Analysis
- Sarfoo: In strong batting form (22, 27, 68 runs recently). Key player.
- Muhammad Waseem: Another reliable opener (recent: 19, 44, 67). His and Sarfoo’s partnership is crucial.
- Rahul Chopra: Wicketkeeper with recent high of 52*. Worth watching.
- Asif Khan: Capable of a match-winning knock (77 v Pakistan).
- Bowling: Junaid Siddiqui and Haider Ali are main wickets takers. Muhammad Rohed Khan a unique and risky choice.
Bench options: Muhammad Jathullah, Ethan D’Souza if changes are made.
Oman Squad & Key Players
Probable Playing XI:
- Jatinder Singh (Captain)
- Aamir Kaleem
- Hamad Mirza
- Muhammad Nadeem
- Vinayak Shukla (Wicketkeeper)
- Hasnain Ali
- Shah Faisal
- Zikriya Islam
- Sufyan Mahmood
- Shakeel Ahmed
- Sami Srivastava
Bowling Roles:
- Powerplay: Shakeel Ahmed, Shah Faisal
- Death Overs: Shah Faisal, Muhammad Nadeem
Player Analysis
- Jatinder Singh: Consistent top-order batsman, capable of big scores.
- Aamir Kaleem: Strong recent form with both bat and ball (multi-wicket hauls, 50+ runs).
- Muhammad Nadeem: Reliable all-rounder, bowled well and moving up the batting order.
- Shah Faisal & Hasnain Ali: Both in good bowling form, likely to grab wickets.
- Bench Watch: R.N. Bist might get a look if Oman shuffles the team.
Final Thoughts & Match Prediction
Both teams enter out of form, making this a difficult match to predict. The pitch trend at Sheikh Zayed Stadium points toward a low-scoring affair with bowlers, especially fast bowlers, playing pivotal roles. For team selection, prioritize key openers and all-rounders like Sarfoo, Muhammad Waseem, Jatinder Singh, and Aamir Kaleem. Bowlers such as Junaid Siddiqui, Haider Ali, Hasnain Ali, and Sami Srivastava are also likely to make a major impact.
