Pakistan defeated the UAE by 41 runs in a do-or-die match to qualify for the next round of the Asia Cup 2025. Experienced batter Fakhar Zaman’s fifty and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s all-round heroics helped Pakistan book their place in the Super 4s.
In what was a delayed start to the game, the UAE won the toss and opted to field. Pakistan had a very shaky start, losing their first wicket in the form of Saim Ayub, who was dismissed for his third consecutive duck. His opening partner, Sahibzada Farhan, also did not last long. In the Powerplay, Pakistan could only score 39 runs. Fakhar and captain Salman Ali Agha stitched together a partnership of 61 runs, which gave the innings some solidity.
Fakhar completed his fifty but was dismissed immediately after reaching the milestone by Simranjeet Singh. The left-handed batter scored 50 off 36 balls, including two fours and three sixes, at a strike rate of 138.89. Shaheen provided the finishing touch Pakistan needed, scoring 29 off 14 balls at a strike rate of 207.14. For the UAE, Junaid Siddique took 4 for 18 at an economy rate of 4.50, while Simranjeet took 3 for 26.
Chasing a target of 147, the UAE managed only one notable partnership of 41 runs between Dhruv Parashar and Rahul Chopra, which was broken by Haris Rauf, who dismissed Parashar. Apart from them, none of the UAE batters could put up a significant performance. For Pakistan, Shaheen, Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed took two wickets each. Shaheen was adjudged Player of the Match.
Pakistan will face arch-rivals India on September 21 in Dubai.
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