Pakistan secured their place in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four stage after knocking the United Arab Emirates (UAE) out of the tournament in the 10th group match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Defending a modest 146-run target, Pakistan’s bowlers dominated on the tricky Dubai surface. UAE’s batting lineup could only manage 105 before being dismissed in 17.4 overs.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rahul Chopra resisted with a run-a-ball 35. Dhruv Prashar scored 20, skipper Muhammad Waseem made 14, and opener Alishan Sharafu added 12. However, the rest of the batting order failed to reach double figures against Pakistan’s sharp bowling attack.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed bagged two wickets each. Captain Salman Ali Agha and Saim Ayub claimed one wicket apiece to wrap up UAE’s innings.
Earlier, Pakistan were asked to bat first and ended with 146/9 in their 20 overs. The innings began poorly when Junaid Siddique dismissed both openers—Saim Ayub for zero and Sahibzada Farhan for five—inside his first two overs, leaving Pakistan reeling at nine for two.
Skipper Salman Ali Agha then joined Fakhar Zaman, and the pair steadied the innings with a 61-run stand for the third wicket. Agha contributed 20 runs off 27 balls, hitting two boundaries before falling to Dhruv Prashar in the 11th over.
Fakhar Zaman went on to anchor the innings with a fluent 50 off 36 deliveries. His knock featured two fours and three sixes. He shared a brief 16-run partnership with Hasan Nawaz, who managed only three, before being dismissed by Simranjeet Singh in the 14th over.
After Fakhar’s exit, Pakistan’s middle order collapsed quickly. The side slumped to 110/7 in the 17th over as wickets fell at regular intervals. Mohammad Haris chipped in with 18 runs, but it was Shaheen Shah Afridi who produced a late flourish.
Batting at number nine, Shaheen smashed three boundaries and two towering sixes to remain unbeaten on 29 from just 14 balls. His explosive finish lifted Pakistan’s total beyond the 140 mark, proving decisive in the contest.
For UAE, pacer Junaid Siddique delivered a standout performance. He grabbed four wickets for only 18 runs in his four-over spell. Simranjeet Singh supported him with three scalps, while Dhruv Prashar claimed one wicket.
With this win, Pakistan advanced confidently to the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four stage. The Green Shirts will now look to carry their momentum forward as the competition heats up in Dubai.
