Cricket can be so merciless in small installments, and on a muggy Abu Dhabi night, Oman learned that lesson in technicolour. Chasing 189 after India made 188/8, Oman looked comparatively secure. Jatinder Singh’s watchful 32 and Aamir Kaleem’s counterpunching 64 had the score ticking along, and Hammad Mirza’s blistering 51 really looked like telling fireworks. At 149 for 2 in the 18th over, the encounter had the whiff of a famous upset, but the plot turned quickly as India hung on to win by 21 runs. Here are three reasons why the desert dream came apart at the seams.
Slow early momentum and a cautious start
Oman failed to take full advantage of the powerplay like we would expect for T20 chases. Jatinder’s 32 from 33 balls felt tidy instead of damaging, and Kaleem did find his damaging rhythm at one point, but they faced a massive chase after the explosive start by India – Abhishek Sharma smashing 38 from 15 balls set the tone early. Oman’s openers gave partnerships to protect their wickets but did not find ways to generate momentum; instead, being too clever, instead of clinical, allowed India to take over the powerplay scoreboard. The numbers in T20 cricket are unforgiving: a couple of overs of caution becomes a chase that requires urgency.
Sanju Samson’s calm anchor and timely partnerships
India’s total owed to a slither and a dash of strike capability, and Sanju Samson’s 56 off 45 was the anchor of the innings. Samson became the anchor option after the power-play ended with two dropped catches and the falling of early wickets, grounding the middle overs together and refraining so that the came boundaries could follow; an innings that can deflate bowlers trying to get under the skin of others.
Abhishek’s cameo and Tilak’s 29 at lightning speed helped with the total’s momentum, but fundamental to the innings was that India batted as if there was no pressure with Samson in control. Oman’s bowlers had their periods of good bowling, and Aamir Kaleem was spearheading excellently with 64, but no real security net around him.
Death-time wobble and key late wickets
The last overs were a tipping point as the momentum dissipated. Kaleem fell at 17.4, taking Oman to 149 for 2, with fourteen balls left to get the forty – possible but still tough, needing some calculated carnage. Hammad Mirza fell first ball, to Hardik Pandya at 18.5, and then Arshdeep struck at 19.1, which both now tightened the screws a little. To lose the two established batters in a flash was to change confidence into chaos. India’s death bowling: tidy, tidy overs, each bowled by Pandya, Arshdeep, and Rana, strangled the chase with subtle pace variations and accurate lines.
For Oman, the end was a hard lesson in fine margins. They had courage – Kaleem’s 64 and Murza’s 51 were fabulous innings – but an aspect of chasing is flawless order and execution. India had a strong start, stabilizing anchor in Samson, and even and calm death bowling that saw them home.
FAQs
1: What was the final result of the India vs Oman Asia Cup 2025 match?
India defeated Oman by 21 runs in Abu Dhabi.
2: Who was the Player of the Match?
Sanju Samson won Player of the Match for his crucial 56 off 45 balls.
3: What was the main reason Oman lost the match?
Oman’s slow start in the Powerplay left them chasing too steep a required rate.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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