Kamran Akmal Backs Hasan Ali (Source: @AdeelHabib_/x.com, @Sport360/x.com)
Pakistan kicked off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in style, showcasing their red-hot form. Despite some early struggles, they bounced back and defeated Oman by a massive 93 runs.
In the previous game against Oman, Faheem Ashraf struggled to make an impact with the bat. As the big match against India is on the horizon, former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal urged the captain to replace Asheraf with another Pakistani star.
Akmal Backs Star Bowler To Replace Faheem Ashraf
Coming off a spectacular tri-series win, Pakistan started their Asia Cup 2025 campaign on a high. Facing Oman in their first match, their bowling brilliance earned them a massive victory. Yet, cracks in the batting order stood out, early stumbles at the top, and Faheem Ashraf’s quick dismissal for just 8 off 4 balls raised questions ahead of bigger battles.
Though Ashraf secured 2 wickets while conceding 6 runs, former Pakistan legend Kamran Akmal asked for a swap. Eyeing the blockbuster clash against India, he backed Hasan Ali to take Ashraf’s place in the XI.
“If you want Faheem Ashraf to bat at that number, then Hasan Ali can also handle that position just as well—he can play those shots too. Plus, you can even hand Hasan the new ball,” Akmal said on a YouTube channel.
An Impressive Victory Ahead Of The Big Clash
Struggling with their form for a long time, the Men in Green regained the momentum and had a dream start to their Asia Cup 2025 campaign. Facing Oman in their inaugural clash, Pakistan batted first and faced some early blows. Amidst Oman’s bowling attack, Mohammad Haris stood tall with a crucial 66-run knock and helped the side to put on a strong total of 160 runs.
Despite impressive performance with the ball, Oman’s batting lineup crumbled against Pakistan’s lethal bowling attack. Saim Ayub, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Faheem Ashraf bagged two wickets apiece, while the rest kept the pressure relentless. As a result of the dominance, Oman were bundled out for just 67, handing Pakistan a crushing 93-run win.
