Mohammad Haris hit a return-to-form half century before bowlers routed Oman as Pakistan opened their Asia Cup campaign with a 93-run win over Oman in Dubai on Friday.
Haris anchored the innings with a 43-ball 66 by Haris spiced with seven boundaries and three sixes as Pakistan scored a below-par 160-7 against Asia Cup first-timers.
But spinners Sufiyan Muqeem (2-7) and Saim Ayub (2-8) and seamer Faheem Ashraf (2-6) atoned for unimpressive batting as Oman — comprising of six expats from Pakistan — folded for 67 in 16.4 overs.
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Hammad Mirza, top-scored with 27 off 23 balls which contained a six and three boundaries.
Earlier, Oman’s spinner Aamir Kaleem (3-31) and pacer Shah Faisal grabbed (3-34) and kept Pakistan batters under control.
It was Haris who helped Pakistan — who won the toss and batted — with his second score of over fifty in T20Is.
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Haris added a damage-repairing 85 for the second wicket with Sahibzada Farhan after Faisal dismissed Ayub with the second ball of the innings.
Farhan scored a run-a-ball 29 with one boundary.
Faisal also dismissed Hasan Nawaz (nine) and Mohammad Nawaz (19) to cap an impressive T20I debut.
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Pakistan added 49 in the last five overs, with Fakhar Zaman remaining unbeaten on a 16-ball 23.
Pakistan now face arch-rivals India in a high-voltage Group A match in Dubai on Sunday.
Bangladesh play Sri Lanka in Group B match in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.