Pakistan sealed their place within the Tremendous 4 of the Asia Cup 2025 after a medical 41-run victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The star of the evening was Shaheen Afridi, who delivered with each bat and ball to information his aspect by way of a tough contest.
Pakistan wrestle early however get better to publish a aggressive whole
Opting to bat first after UAE gained the toss and selected to bowl, Pakistan endured a shaky begin. Each Sahibzada Farhan (5 off 12) and Saim Ayub (0 off 2) departed early, placing strain on the center order.
It was Fakhar Zaman who anchored the innings with a stable 50 off 36 balls, hanging two fours and three sixes to carry Pakistan collectively. Contributions from Agha Salman (20 off 27) and Mohammad Haris (18 off 14) stored the scoreboard transferring however didn’t dominate the UAE bowlers.
The late flourish got here courtesy of Shaheen Afridi, who hammered a quickfire 29 off simply 14 deliveries, together with three fours and two sixes, giving Pakistan a decent whole of 146/9 in 20 overs.
For UAE, Junaid Siddique was excellent with the ball, ending with 4/18 in his 4 overs, whereas Simranjeet Singh Kang impressed with 3/26. Their efforts restricted Pakistan from posting an excellent larger rating.
UAE falter within the run-chase
Chasing 147, UAE required a powerful begin however faltered in opposition to Pakistan’s disciplined bowling. Alishan Sharafu (12 off 8) and Waseem Muhammad (14 off 15) started briskly, however fast wickets dented the chase.
Rahul Chopra stood tall with a combating 35 off 35 balls, whereas Dhruv Parashar (20 off 23) tried to regular the innings. Nevertheless, the center order collapsed underneath strain, with Asif Khan, Harshit Kaushik and Junaid Siddique all failing to attain.
UAE had been ultimately bundled out for 105 in 17.4 overs, falling effectively in need of the goal.
Pakistan’s bowling assault, led by Shaheen Afridi, proved too robust for the UAE batters. Afridi returned figures of two/16 in three overs, complementing his explosive batting cameo earlier within the sport.
He discovered assist from Abrar Ahmed (2/13) and Haris Rauf (2/19), whereas Saim Ayub (1/18) and Agha Salman (1/9) chipped in with key breakthroughs. Their mixed effort ensured Pakistan’s dominance all through the innings.
Additionally WATCH: Simranjeet Singh removes Fakhar Zaman and Hasan Nawaz in the identical over; celebrates with iconic Shikhar Dhawan thigh-five | PAK vs UAE, Asia Cup 2025
Participant of the Match
For his all-round brilliance, Shaheen Afridi was named Participant of the Match. His essential 29 runs down the order lifted Pakistan to a defendable rating, and his early strikes with the ball derailed UAE’s hopes of chasing down the goal.
With this outcome, Pakistan progressed to the Tremendous 4 stage of Asia Cup 2025, whereas UAE’s marketing campaign got here to an finish.
Additionally READ: SL vs AFG, Asia Cup 2025 Match Prediction – Who will win right now’s sport between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan?
