Pakistan Crushes UAE, Sets Up Asia Cup Super 4 Clash with India
Dubai [UAE], September 18 — Pakistan stormed into the Asia Cup Super 4s with a decisive 41-run victory against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai on Wednesday. Their bowlers dominated the night, setting up another highly anticipated clash with arch-rivals India.
Batting first in a must-win encounter, Pakistan endured a shaky start. Opener Saim Ayub fell for his third consecutive duck, leaving the team rattled at 9/2 within three overs. Sahibzada Farhan followed soon after, deepening the crisis.
It was Fakhar Zaman who anchored the innings, counterattacking with authority. Zaman smashed two towering sixes off Dhruv Parashar and brought up his half-century in just 35 balls. Alongside skipper Salman Agha, he stitched together a vital 61-run stand that steadied Pakistan.
But just as momentum was building, UAE’s bowlers clawed back. Simranjeet Singh removed Salman with a sharp delivery before picking up two more wickets in quick succession. Zaman, fresh off his fifty, departed at short extra cover, and Pakistan’s middle order collapsed under pressure.
UAE pacer Junaid Siddique was the star with the ball, claiming a sensational 4/18. His clever variations dismantled Pakistan’s lower order, dismissing Mohammad Nawaz and Haris Rauf with a deadly leg-cutter.
Pakistan looked in danger of finishing under 130 until Shaheen Afridi’s late fireworks turned the tide. The left-arm pacer hammered an unbeaten 29 off just 14 balls — including two boundaries and a six in the final over — dragging Pakistan to a fighting total of 146/9.
Chasing 147, UAE’s hopes dimmed early. Shaheen Afridi struck in the powerplay, knocking over Alishan Sharafu for 12. Skipper Muhammad Waseem soon followed, trapped by Abrar Ahmed for 14.
The middle order crumbled as Pakistan kept striking at regular intervals. Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed piled on the pressure before UAE found a brief revival through Rahul Chopra and Dhruv Parashar, who added 48 runs for the fifth wicket.
But Haris Rauf dismissed Parashar for 20, and from there, UAE’s chase unraveled. Chopra top-scored with a gritty 35, but once he was dismissed by Pakistan captain Salman Agha, the tail collapsed. UAE’s last five wickets added only nine runs, folding for 105 all out.
Pakistan’s bowlers shared the spoils in a clinical display — Abrar Ahmed was miserly with 2/13, while Afridi and Rauf chipped in with vital breakthroughs. The disciplined attack ensured UAE never came close to threatening the target.
With this win, Pakistan sealed their berth in the Asia Cup Super 4s, setting the stage for another electric showdown against India, a clash fans across the subcontinent eagerly await.
Pakistan 146/9 (Fakhar Zaman 50, Shaheen Afridi 29*; Junaid Siddique 4/18, Simranjeet Singh 3 wickets)
UAE 105 all out (Rahul Chopra 35, Dhruv Parashar 20; Abrar Ahmed 2/13, Shaheen Afridi 1 wicket)
Result: Pakistan won by 41 runs
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