Pakistan marched into the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four with a hard-fought 41-run win over UAE. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t easy. But Fakhar Zaman’s steady fifty and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s all-round brilliance were enough to carry Pakistan through.
UAE, who had impressed with ball and bat throughout the group stages, were knocked out of the tournament after folding for 105 in their chase of 147.
Pakistan 146 for 9 (Fakhar 50, Afridi 29*, Siddique 4-18, Simranjeet 3-26) beat UAE 105 (Chopra 35, Abrar 2-13, Afridi 2-16) by 41 runs
Pakistan’s Slow Start and Fakhar Zaman’s Anchor
Pakistan walked into this game under pressure. A one-hour delay, tense off-field discussions, and two early wickets meant the innings never found a rhythm. By the fourth over they were 17 for 2.
Junaid Siddique struck twice with the new ball. Simranjeet Singh took over in the middle overs, grabbing three more wickets. Pakistan’s top order looked shell-shocked.
Amid the collapse, Fakhar Zaman stood tall. His 36-ball 50 was a lesson in composure under pressure. He found gaps, rotated strike, and punished loose deliveries. His knock pushed Pakistan’s run rate above a run a ball — just enough to stay competitive.
Shaheen Afridi’s Game-Changing Cameo
With Pakistan at 110 for 7 in the 17th over, the innings looked short. Then Shaheen Shah Afridi changed everything.
He smashed Junaid Siddique for boundaries and then unleashed on Muhammad Rohid in the final over. Eighteen runs came off that over alone. Afridi scored 27 off his last 10 deliveries, carrying Pakistan to 146 for 8.
That late burst transformed a below-par total into a defendable one. It also placed immediate scoreboard pressure on UAE, who now had to chase with caution.
UAE Start Well But Lose Momentum
UAE began the chase with confidence. Alishan Sharafu caressed the first ball from Shaheen Afridi for four. The first two overs produced 19 runs.
But Afridi struck back quickly, bowling Sharafu to break the opening stand. UAE captain Waseem tried to keep the innings steady, even taking on Haris Rauf with a boundary. At 35 for 1 after four overs, the game was still alive.
The turning point came in the final two overs of the powerplay. Abrar Ahmed produced a perfect carrom ball to dismiss Waseem. Mohammad Nawaz took a stunning diving catch that sucked the momentum out of UAE’s chase. Next over, Saim Ayub bowled Muhammad Zohaib, leaving UAE at 38 for 3.
Pakistan Bowlers Turn the Screw
From there, Pakistan’s bowling unit tightened their grip. The conditions suited Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub, who combined for 3 for 31 in eight overs. They gave UAE no room to score and increased the required rate.
Shaheen Afridi, already starring with the bat, picked up the vital wicket of Alishan Sharafu early and later broke key stands. Haris Rauf, playing his first Asia Cup 2025 match, dismissed Dhruv Parashar, ending a dangerous 48-run partnership.
With six overs left, UAE needed 62 runs with six wickets in hand. The chase still looked possible. But under rising pressure, UAE lost their last seven wickets for just 20 runs in 23 balls. Pakistan’s bowlers had sealed the deal.
Junaid Siddique’s Brilliant Bowling
Even in defeat, Junaid Siddique shone. He produced 4 for 24, becoming the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. His early strikes rattled Pakistan’s top order. At the death, he removed more batters with clever changes of pace.
But UAE’s batting collapse meant Siddique’s spell went in vain. His effort, however, marked him as one of the tournament’s standout bowlers.
Key Takeaways from Pakistan vs UAE
- Fakhar Zaman’s 50 provided stability in a shaky Pakistan innings.
- Shaheen Afridi’s all-round performance — 29 off 14 with the bat and two key wickets — swung the match.
- Pakistan’s spinners and seamers worked in tandem to choke UAE’s chase.
- Junaid Siddique’s 4 for 24 made him the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
Pakistan March On
With this win, Pakistan move into the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four full of confidence. Their batting still needs work, but their bowling attack looks lethal. UAE, meanwhile, exit the tournament with heads held high, having pushed one of cricket’s giants close.
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