Pakistan booked their place in the Super Four of the Asia Cup 2025 after securing a 41-run win over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai. In a must-win clash for both sides, the Men in Green overcame early jitters with the bat before their bowlers tightened the screws to seal the contest.
The result ensured Pakistan bounced back from back-to-back setbacks and kept their tournament hopes alive, though concerns over their batting order remain.
Off-Field Tensions Spill Into the Match
The fixture carried extra drama before the toss even took place. The Pakistan Cricket Board’s ongoing dispute with match referee Andy Pycroft, stemming from the much-publicized handshake controversy in the clash against India, loomed large. The PCB had sought Pycroft’s removal from the officiating panel, but the ICC dismissed the appeal, further fueling tensions in the Pakistan camp.
Adding to the chaos, Pakistan’s delayed arrival at the ground meant the start was pushed back by an hour. UAE opted to bowl first, eager to make use of their new-ball pair under the Dubai lights.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles Continue
Pakistan’s innings mirrored the instability that has plagued their campaign.
- Saim Ayub fell in the opening over for yet another duck, dismissed by Junaid Siddique.
- Abdullah Shafique also departed early, leaving the top order in tatters.
- Once again, Pakistan were dependent on Fakhar Zaman, who counterattacked with authority.
Fakhar’s 36-ball half-century, laced with clean sixes off Dhruv Parashar, was the standout of the innings. He added some stability alongside Salman Ali Agha, who labored for 20 off 27 balls but could not accelerate when needed.
The real blow came in the middle overs when Simranjeet Singh rattled Pakistan with two wickets in quick succession, halting their momentum. At one stage, it appeared Pakistan might fall well short of a competitive total.
Shaheen Afridi’s Vital Cameo
Just when the innings seemed to collapse beyond repair, Shaheen Shah Afridi rose to the occasion with the bat. Known for his lethal pace with the ball, Shaheen unleashed a fearless cameo of 29 not out off 14 deliveries, hammering two towering sixes and a boundary in the final over.
His late fireworks pushed Pakistan to 146/9 in 20 overs, giving their bowlers something to defend. Without Shaheen’s contribution, Pakistan could easily have ended with a sub-par total closer to 120.
Pakistan’s Key Batting Highlights:
- Fakhar Zaman – 50 (36 balls)
- Salman Ali Agha – 20 (27 balls)
- Shaheen Shah Afridi – 29* (14 balls)
- Junaid Siddique – 4/18
- Simranjeet Singh – 3/26
UAE’s Response: Bright Start, Faded Finish
Chasing 147, UAE were cautious at the outset, clearly determined to avoid the kind of collapse that has hurt them in past tournaments. But their overly defensive approach left them playing catch-up for most of the innings.
Early wickets compounded their problems. Shaheen Afridi struck in the first over, removing Alishan Sharafu to give Pakistan the upper hand. UAE slipped further before a fourth-wicket stand between Ravi Chopra (35) and Dhruv Parashar (20) briefly revived hopes.
The pair added 48 runs, but their inability to accelerate meant the required run rate kept climbing. Once they departed, the lower order crumbled against Pakistan’s spinners and disciplined bowling unit. UAE eventually folded for 105 in 17.4 overs, falling 41 runs short.
Pakistan’s Bowling Dominates the Second Half
Pakistan’s bowlers responded to the challenge in style. Afridi’s new-ball breakthrough was followed by tight spells from spinners and middle-overs specialists. They combined pressure with accuracy, never allowing UAE’s batters to free their arms.
The discipline and intensity were in stark contrast to Pakistan’s disjointed batting effort earlier in the evening. With the Super Four berth on the line, the bowlers ensured there would be no slip-ups.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Fakhar Zaman Finds Form – His fluent half-century gave Pakistan much-needed stability at the top.
- Shaheen Afridi: The Game-Changer – Not just with the ball but also with his explosive batting cameo.
- UAE’s Missed Opportunity – Their cautious batting approach left them too much to do in the later stages.
- Pakistan’s Middle-Order Struggles – Continues to be a worrying theme, raising questions ahead of tougher Super Four fixtures.
- Off-Field Issues Still Linger – PCB’s ongoing battle with the ICC and the no-handshake saga threaten to distract the team from cricketing matters.
Road Ahead
With this win, Pakistan move into the Super Four but still face tough questions. Can their top order overcome its inconsistency? Can the middle order find a way to anchor innings without relying on Afridi’s heroics at the end?
The UAE, despite their spirited bowling effort, will regret their tentative chase. They showed discipline with the ball but lacked the conviction to chase down a gettable target under pressure.
Final Scorecard Snapshot
- Pakistan: 146/9 in 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 50, Shaheen Afridi 29*; Junaid Siddique 4/18, Simranjeet Singh 3/26)
- UAE: 105 all out in 17.4 overs (Ravi Chopra 35, Dhruv Parashar 20; Shaheen Afridi 1/15)
- Result: Pakistan won by 41 runs, qualify for Super Four
Final Thoughts
Pakistan may have crossed the first hurdle, but the manner of their victory raises as many concerns as it provides relief. The Super Four stage will demand more consistent batting performances, especially against top-tier sides like India and Sri Lanka.
For now, Pakistan’s fans can breathe a sigh of relief as their team lives to fight another day. But unless the batting unit delivers as a collective, the road ahead in the Asia Cup 2025 could still prove treacherous.
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