Pakistan vs Oman: On-field umpires make huge blunder during Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash; here's what happened in Dubai

Raising questions on the quality of on-field umpiring in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, Masudur Rahman and Ahmad Shah Pakteen have overlooked a grave error during the Pakistan vs Oman clash in Group A at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday. This is the first game for both the teams at this year's continental showpiece.

The incident took place at the start of the 11th over of the Pakistan innings. After Sahibzada Farhan played the final delivery of the 10th over bowled by Sufyan Mehmood, a dot ball, the Pakistan opener played the first ball of the next over off the bowling of Aamir Kaleem at a time when Mohammad Haris should have taken the strike.

According to cricket rules, if a batter plays a dot ball on the last delivery of an over, the batter at the opposite end will play the first ball of the next over. Had Farhan taken a single on the last ball of the 10th over, he would have rightfully played the first ball of the next over.

The grave error not only went unnoticed by the Oman cricketers but also by Rahman and Ahmad Shah, thus questioning the focus of the umpires at the continental tournament. Farhan was batting at 27 at that moment. Notably, Rahman, a former Bangladesh first-class player has been named as one of the on-field umpires for the high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash.

Pakistan beat Oman by 93 runs

Meanwhile, Pakistan started their campaign with a 93-run win over Oman. Batting first, Mohammad Haris struck an impressive 66 to help Pakistan post 160/7 in 20 overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Haris faced 43 balls from which he hit seven fours and three sixes, while opener Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman chipped in with 29 and 23 not out respectively after Pakistan captain Salman Agha opted to bat after winning the toss.

For Oman, Aamir Kaleem (3/31) and Shah Faisal (3/34) took three wickets apiece while Mohammad Nadeem got one. In reply, Oman were bundled out for just 67 in 16.4 overs. Hammad Mirza top-scored with 27. For Pakistan, Saim Ayub (2/8), Faheem Ashraf (2/6)_ and Sufiyan Muqeem (2/7) took two wickets apiece. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz took one wicket each.

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