The match in Dubai is the first time that the neighbours will have met in cricket since a brief but deadly border conflict in May and emotions will be running high.

On paper, the Asia Cup match between Pakistan and Oman in Dubai today might seem like a mismatch, but it will offer both sides different points to prove -- Oman looking to mark their first-ever appearance in the continental event with a memorable outing, while Pakistan aim to continue their good run of form before facing archrivals India in their next Group A fixture.

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been told to improve his batting against spin and boost his overall strike rate to be considered for Twenty20 Internationals, coach Mike Hesson said.

Ali has represented Pakistan in 35 T20Is since making his debut in 2020 as well as two ODIs.

Pakistan won the series opener by 14 runs but dropped the second match by two wickets to set up a Sunday night decider at Lauderhill, Florida.

The Pakistani spin specialists halted the West Indies' chase of 179 to ease to a 14-run victory under the lights in Lauderhill, Florida.

“Cricket teams need to be run by cricket people,” Kirsten said, adding: “Once I was taken off selection and asked to take a team I hadn’t helped shape, it became very difficult to have any sort of positive influence.”

Sri Lanka's Colombo will join Indian host cities Bengaluru, Guwahati, Indore and Visakhapatnam in staging matches from September 30 until the final of the 50-over tournament on November 2, the ICC announced late on Monday.

“Just like India didn’t play in Pakistan in the Champions Trophy and were allowed to play at a neutral venue, whatever venue is decided, we will play [there],” Naqvi told PTI. “When there is an agreement, it has to be adhered to.”

While Gillespie has no appetite for the daily grind of international coaching, he hinted at an interest in working in T20 leagues.

Having already lost the T20I series 4-1, the visitors' struggles continued in ODI series in seam-friendly conditions that proved too challenging for the subcontinent side.

Moeen shared his candid views on a podcast alongside England leg-spinner Adil Rashid, raising doubts about the high expectations surrounding Pakistan’s pace attack.

Agreeing with Akhtar, Hafeez added that Razzaq was not only more impactful but also a more consistent performer compared to Pandya.

Gillespie accused Javed of trying to secure the coaching role in all formats by working behind the scenes.

"No final in Pakistan after such a heavy investment on the venues is a blow," former captain Rashid Latif told AFP. "Pakistan is at the lowest level in terms of finances and team-wise as well, which is a double loss."

There was no place for senior batsman Babar Azam in the T20 side while Rizwan was also left out of a young squad as Pakistan look ahead to the T20 Asia Cup in September and next year's T20 World Cup.

The ex-wicketkeeper's comments follow Pakistan’s Champions Trophy disaster

The title-holders lost their opening game to New Zealand by 60 runs in Karachi last week before Sunday's six-wicket defeat to arch-rivals India pushed them to the brink of an early exit.

"In 2025 Pakistan was playing the cricket style of the 1980s and 1990s while other teams had progressed well to adopt an aggressive and modern style," Shahid Afridi told AFP.

Ramiz’s remarks may spark debate over whether fixture sequencing had a genuine impact on their campaign, or if their performances were simply not up to the mark. Regardless, their premature exit from the Champions Trophy will be a tough pill to swallow for the hosts and their fans.