Dubai, September 18 (Sports Desk)
In a crucial Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan recovered from a shaky start to post 146/9 before their bowlers dismantled UAE for 105, securing a 41-run victory and a spot in the Super Four of the Asia Cup 2025. This win sets up a blockbuster Super Four encounter with arch-rivals India on September 20. Fakhar Zaman’s gritty half-century anchored Pakistan’s innings, while their spinners and Shaheen Afridi suffocated UAE’s chase. The result boosts Pakistan’s NRR to +1.250, placing them second in Group A behind India (+2.150), while UAE bow out after two losses.
Toss and Pitch Report
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bat first on a dry Dubai pitch that offered early bounce but slowed down, assisting spinners in the middle overs. Dew was anticipated in the second innings, potentially aiding chasers, but Pakistan targeted 150-160 as par. Weather was humid but clear, with no interruptions. Both teams fielded unchanged XIs from previous games.
Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed. UAE Playing XI: Muhammad Waseem (c), Aryan Lakra, Vriitya Aravind (wk), Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Rahul Chopra, Ali Naseer, Muhammad Siddique, Junaid Siddique, Simranjeet Singh.
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Pakistan Innings: Fakhar’s Fifty Rescues 146/9
Pakistan recovered from a top-order wobble to post 146/9 in 20 overs. Openers Saim Ayub (3 off 5) and Sahibzada Farhan (9 off 14) fell early to Muhammad Siddique’s swing, leaving Pakistan at 9/2 in 2.4 overs. Mohammad Haris (0 off 1) was run out, worsening the slide to 9/3. Fakhar Zaman (50 off 41, 5×4, 2×6) and Salman Agha (27 off 31, 3×4) rebuilt with a 61-run stand, Fakhar reaching his fifty in 37 balls with aggressive pulls. Agha fell to Simranjeet Singh, triggering a collapse to 86/4.
Hasan Nawaz (2 off 4) and Mohammad Nawaz (10 off 9) departed cheaply, but Shaheen Afridi’s unbeaten 29* off 17 (3×4, 1×6) provided late impetus with a 28-run stand alongside Faheem Ashraf (12 off 10). Pakistan hit 12 boundaries and 4 sixes, but UAE’s bowlers, led by Siddique (4/18) and Simranjeet (3/26), kept them under pressure.
Key Performances (Pakistan Batting)
- Fakhar Zaman: 50 (41 balls, 5×4, 2×6) – Resilient knock; stabilized innings.
- Shaheen Afridi: 29* (17 balls, 3×4, 1×6) – Late flourish boosted total.
- Overall: Early collapse limited score; no big partnerships post-50.
UAE Bowling
- Muhammad Siddique: 4/18 (4 overs) – Swing maestro; early double strike.
- Simranjeet Singh: 3/26 (4 overs) – Varied pace; dismissed Agha and Nawaz.
- Junaid Siddique: 1/28 (4 overs) – Economical; contained powerplay.
UAE Innings: Early Promise Fades in 105 All Out
Chasing 147, UAE folded for 105 in 19.3 overs. Openers Muhammad Waseem (12 off 10) and Aryan Lakra (8 off 7) added 20 before Abrar Ahmed’s googly bowled Waseem. Vriitya Aravind (10 off 12) fell to Sufiyan Muqeem, leaving UAE at 30/2. Rahul Chopra (35 off 28, 4×4, 1×6) and Asif Khan (18 off 15) rebuilt with a 40-run stand, but Shaheen Afridi’s yorker dismissed Khan. Chopra fell to Abrar (2/13), triggering a collapse to 85/7.
Basil Hameed (15 off 14) and Ali Naseer (10 off 9) resisted briefly, but Shaheen (2/16) and Faheem Ashraf (1/20) cleaned up the tail. UAE hit 8 boundaries and 2 sixes but couldn’t handle spin.
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Key Performances (UAE Batting)
- Rahul Chopra: 35 (28 balls, 4×4, 1×6) – Top-scored; fought lone battle.
- Asif Khan: 18 (15 balls, 2×4) – Brief support.
- Overall: Powerplay promise fizzled; spinners dominated.
Pakistan Bowling
- Abrar Ahmed: 2/13 (3.3 overs) – Mystery spin; dismissed key batsmen.
- Shaheen Afridi: 2/16 (4 overs) – Pace and yorkers; all-round hero.
- Sufiyan Muqeem: 1/15 (3 overs) – Economical; contained middle order.
Post-Match Comments
- Salman Agha (Pakistan Captain): “Fakhar’s fifty and Shaheen’s cameo were crucial. Our bowlers executed perfectly—Super Four feels great.”
- Muhammad Waseem (UAE Captain): “We bowled well but batting let us down. Credit to Pakistan’s spinners—they were unplayable.”
- Fakhar Zaman (Player of the Match): “Happy to anchor on a tricky pitch. The win sets us up nicely for India.
