India’s 21-run victory over Oman at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Thursday night maintained their undefeated run in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025. The victory was highlighted by a tough half-century from Sanju Samson (56 off 45) and a historic milestone for Arshdeep Singh, who became the first Indian men’s cricketer to claim 100 T20I wickets.
Oman put up a fierce batting fight against India after they scored 188/8, their third-highest total against an Associate nation in Twenty20 Internationals. Before Kuldeep Yadav broke the stand in the ninth over, they had a strong start thanks to captain Jatinder Singh (32 off 33) and Aamir Kaleem, who added 44 runs in the Power-play to raise the score to 56.
The Indian attack was subsequently thwarted when Kaleem and Hammad Mirza put together a 93-run partnership. In an attempt to increase the score, Kaleem reached his fifty off 38 balls before falling for 64 off 46 in the 18th over.
Prior to succumbing to Hardik Pandya in the penultimate over, Mirza also played a counterattacking hand, reaching his fifty in just thirty balls. India won by 21 runs when Oman closed short at 167/4, despite a burst of boundaries from Jiten Ramanandi in the last over.
Hardik finished on 1-26, Kuldeep picked 1-23 in his three overs, and Harshit Rana returned 1-25 with good pace, demonstrating how hard the Indian bowlers had to work on a flat surface. Arshdeep Singh, who was tasked with ending the match, not only secured victory but also took his 100th T20I wicket in the final over, solidifying his place at the top of India’s all-time wicket-takers list.
After an incredible start by Abhishek Sharma, who hammered 38 off just 15 balls in the Power-play, Samson earlier supported India’s innings. Vice-captain Shubman Gill was bowled for five by Faisal Shah in the second over, shocking India early on. However, Abhishek’s fireworks maintained the pace till Ramanandi made the breakthrough. Hardik Pandya was run out for just one when a straight shot from Samson ricocheted off Ramanandi’s fingertips, ruining his surprise promotion.
Axar Patel, who counterattacked with a quick 26 off 13, provided support for Samson. Together, they added 45 runs off 23 deliveries. But soon after, wickets tumbled, and in the 14th over, India was down to 130/5 after Shivam Dube was dismissed for 5. Unusually dropped to number seven, Tilak Varma made a crucial contribution with 29 off 18 as Samson controlled the innings.
Despite the heat, Samson reached his half-century in 41 balls, which was the third-lowest by an Indian in the history of the Men’s Asia Cup T20, before he was dismissed for 56. India closed at 188/8 as Harshit Rana added a final flourish to finish the innings with a soaring maximum.
The spin three stood tall for Oman. Jiten Ramanandi (2-33), Aamir Kaleem (2-31) and Faisal Shah (2-23) each took six wickets, preventing India from reaching the 200-run milestone. Even though they chased hard, Oman lost, and India won and Arshdeep Singh had a record-breaking evening.
Short scores:
India defeated Oman 167/4 in 20 overs (Aamir Kaleem 64, Hammad Mirza 51; Hardik Pandya 1/26, Kuldeep Yadav 1/23) by 21 runs with 188/8 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 56, Abhishek Sharma 38; Aamir Kaleem 2/31, Jiten Ramanandi 2/33).
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