Pakistan Defeat UAE to Enter Asia Cup Super Four, Set for Clash with India
Pakistan Enter Asia Cup 2025 Super Four With 41-Run Win Over UAE
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.
Pakistan Set 146/9
Sent in to bat, Pakistan stumbled early as UAE pacer Junaid Siddique ripped through the top order, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan (5) and Saim Ayub (0) to leave them reeling at 9/2.
Veteran Fakhar Zaman steadied the innings with a brisk 50 off 36 balls, striking three fours and two sixes. His 61-run stand with skipper Salman Agha (20) revived the innings before another mini-collapse.
Late fireworks came from Shaheen Shah Afridi, who smashed 29 from 14 deliveries, lifting Pakistan to a competitive 146/9. Siddique finished with career-best figures of 4/27, while Simranjeet Singh claimed 3 wickets.
UAE Reply Falls Short
Chasing 147, the hosts never settled and slipped to 34/3 in the powerplay. A 44-run partnership between Rahul Chopra (35) and Dhruv Parashar (20) briefly raised hopes, but once they departed the innings unraveled.
Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed each grabbed two wickets as the UAE were bowled out for 105 in 17.4 overs, handing Pakistan a 41-run win.
Pre-Match Drama
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.
What’s Next
With this win, Pakistan advance to the Super Four, where they will face arch-rivals India 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.”
UAE Positives
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.