Pakistan set competitive target for UAE in must-win Asia Cup clash

Dubai
Fakhar Zaman’s half-century and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s late blitz helped Pakistan post a competitive target of 147 runs for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the must-win match in the Asia Cup 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, on Wednesday.
Put into bat first, Pakistan accumulated 146/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Green Shirts got off to a dismal start to their innings as Junaid Siddique dismissed both their openers – Saim Ayub (zero) and Sahibzada Farhan (five) – in his first two overs with just nine runs on the board.
Following the double setback, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha joined experienced Fakhar Zaman in the middle, and the duo anchored the innings by putting together 61 runs for the third wicket until the former fell victim to Dhruv Prashar in the 11th over.
Agha remained a notable run-getter for Pakistan with a cautious 20 off 27 deliveries with the help of two boundaries.
Fakhar then knitted a one-sided 16-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Hasan Nawaz (three) until eventually falling victim to Simranjeet in the 14th over.
The left-handed batter remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with 50 off 36 deliveries, studded with two fours and three sixes.
His dismissal sparked a collapse, which saw Pakistan lose three more wickets at regular intervals and consequently slip to 110/7 in 16.5 overs.
Wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris (18) then made handy contributions before Shaheen Shah Afridi’s last-over blitz bolstered Pakistan’s total past the 140-run mark.
The number nine batter smashed three fours and two sixes on his way to an unbeaten 29 off 14 deliveries.
Right-arm pacer Junaid Siddique was the pick of the bowlers for UAE, taking four wickets for just 18 runs in his four overs, followed by Simranjeet Singh with three, while Dhruv Prashar chipped in with one scalp.