Pakistan Defeat UAE to Enter Asia Cup Super Four, Set for Clash with India
<p><strong>Pakistan Enter Asia Cup 2025 Super Four With 41-Run Win Over UAE</strong></p><p>Pakistan sealed their spot in the Asia Cup Super Four with a gritty victory over the United Arab Emirates at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday night, setting up a blockbuster clash with India on Sunday.</p><h3>Pakistan Set 146/9</h3><p>Sent in to bat, Pakistan stumbled early as UAE pacer <strong>Junaid Siddique</strong> ripped through the top order, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan (5) and Saim Ayub (0) to leave them reeling at 9/2.<br>Veteran <strong>Fakhar Zaman</strong> steadied the innings with a brisk 50 off 36 balls, striking three fours and two sixes. His 61-run stand with skipper <strong>Salman Agha</strong> (20) revived the innings before another mini-collapse.<br>Late fireworks came from <strong>Shaheen Shah Afridi</strong>, who smashed 29 from 14 deliveries, lifting Pakistan to a competitive <strong>146/9</strong>. Siddique finished with career-best figures of 4/27, while <strong>Simranjeet Singh</strong> claimed 3 wickets.</p><h3>UAE Reply Falls Short</h3><p>Chasing 147, the hosts never settled and slipped to 34/3 in the powerplay. A 44-run partnership between <strong>Rahul Chopra (35)</strong> and <strong>Dhruv Parashar (20)</strong> briefly raised hopes, but once they departed the innings unraveled.<br>Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed each grabbed two wickets as the UAE were bowled out for <strong>105 in 17.4 overs</strong>, handing Pakistan a <strong>41-run win</strong>.</p><h3>Pre-Match Drama</h3><p>The start was delayed by an hour following a standoff between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the ICC over the appointment of match referee Andy Pycroft, stemming from a previous handshake controversy. An agreement was eventually reached and play began.</p><h3>What’s Next</h3><p>With this win, Pakistan advance to the <strong>Super Four</strong>, where they will face arch-rivals <strong>India</strong> in a highly anticipated showdown. Captain Salman Agha credited Fakhar’s fifty and Shaheen’s late cameo for setting up the victory, while praising his bowlers for “executing perfectly.”</p><h3>UAE Positives</h3><p>Despite defeat, the UAE impressed with Siddique’s four-wicket burst and Chopra’s composed innings, valuable experience as they continue to grow in international T20 cricket.</p>