//Despite heavy defeat to Pakistan on Friday in Dubai, skipper urges side to play positive cricket ahead of UAE and India challenges
MUSCAT: Oman’s Asia Cup dream began with a harsh reality check on Friday night, but captain Jatinder Singh chose pride over disappointment as he hailed his bowlers for standing tall against Pakistan’s celebrated batting line-up in Dubai.
On their maiden outing at the continental showpiece, Oman restricted the former champions to 160 for 7 in 20 overs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. For much of the innings, they even had Pakistan searching for answers until wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris cut loose with a lively half-century.
Experienced spinner Aamir Kaleem and medium pacer Shah Faisal shared six wickets between them, while *Mohammad Nadeem added another. Just as crucial was the contribution of left-arm orthodox spinner Shakeel Ahmed, whose miserly spell of 4-0-17-0 starved Pakistan of momentum in the middle overs and kept the pressure firmly on the batting side.
If the ball brought encouragement, the bat brought heartache. Oman’s reply never got going as they folded for just 67 in 16.4 overs, suffering a 93-run defeat that underlined the gulf in experience on their Asia Cup debut.
Yet Jatinder’s tone after the match was anything but deflated.
“Restricting them under 160 was really good. I’m really proud of the boys — the way they bowled and fielded,” the skipper said.
“The boys were bang on target, they executed the plans they discussed, they were 10 out of 10.”
The batting collapse, he admitted, hurt. But Jatinder was quick to remind his side — and Omani fans — that this was just the start of a long journey.
“Our team is a lot better than what we showed today, and I’m confident we can do a lot better,” he said.
“The key is to back ourselves and play positive cricket. Just be in the present and not think about who is bowling to you.”
For Oman, the real test of resilience now begins. They face tournament hosts UAE next (15 September) — a clash that promises to stir Gulf pride — before taking on the might of India, the most fancied team of the competition on 19 September. Both games offer a chance for Oman to measure their progress against familiar regional rivals and one of the sport’s global giants.
Debut defeats are often unforgiving, but Jatinder’s faith in his players’ ability to regroup suggests Oman’s Asia Cup journey is far from defined by this first setback. With two more group games to come, the Men in Red have opportunities not just to compete, but to make a statement on Asia’s biggest stage.
