In the Asia Cup 2025, the Pakistan cricket team secured their spot in the Super-4 by defeating the UAE by 41 runs in a do-or-die match played on Wednesday. However, this victory did not come easily for Pakistan.
Sports News: The Pakistan cricket team confirmed their place in the Super-4 of Asia Cup 2025 by defeating the UAE by 41 runs in a crucial do-or-die encounter on Wednesday. However, this win was not straightforward for Pakistan, as several top batsmen failed to perform as expected. Experienced batsman Fakhar Zaman played a vital innings of 50 runs, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, at the end, propelled Pakistan to a respectable score of 146 runs by smashing 29 runs off just 14 balls.
In response, the entire UAE team was bowled out for 105 runs, allowing Pakistan to comfortably secure the match. With this victory, Pakistan has advanced to the Super-4.
Pakistan's Struggling Score
Pakistan's start to the match was not good. Half of the team's batting lineup was out by the score of 88 runs, which created a very difficult situation. Opening batsman Saim Ayub was dismissed for a duck for the third consecutive match. He was caught out off Junaid Siddique. Following this, Sahibzada Farhan also got out after scoring only 5 runs, putting Pakistan in trouble.
However, at this point, Fakhar Zaman and Salman Ali Agha steadied the team. A crucial partnership of 61 runs between them provided some relief to Pakistan. Fakhar Zaman eventually played a vital innings of 50 runs. After this, wickets began to fall continuously, with Pakistan losing its sixth wicket at the score of 93.
Pakistan ultimately managed to post a respectable total of 146 runs with the help of Shaheen Shah Afridi's aggressive batting at the end. Shaheen's finishing innings of 29 runs off 14 balls included 2 sixes and 3 fours.
UAE's Batting Collapses
UAE chased the target set by Pakistan but suffered an early setback. Openers Alishan Sharafu (12) and captain Muhammad Waseem (14) added 21 runs for the first wicket. Alishan was then bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi. In UAE's batting, Rahul Chopra (35) and Dhruv Parashar (20) made some effort, but after their dismissals, the team completely collapsed. At one point, UAE's score was 85/3, but thereafter, the team could only add 20 more runs and was bundled out for 105.
The bowlers played a significant role in Pakistan's victory. Junaid Siddique took 4 crucial wickets for 18 runs in his 4 overs, including both openers. Simranjit Singh, of Indian origin, also bowled brilliantly, taking 3 wickets for 26 runs in his 4 overs. Several key batsmen, including Fakhar Zaman, fell victim to Simranjit's bowling. With this stellar bowling performance, Pakistan defeated UAE by 41 runs and secured their place in the Super-4.
Following Pakistan's victory, a clash between India and Pakistan in the Super-4 is now confirmed. India had already secured their spot from Group A. This match will be played on Sunday, September 21st, at 8 PM at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
