Fakhar, all-round Afridi lead Pakistan into Super Four

UAE were knocked out after they folded for 105 in their chase of 147

Asia Cup: Shaheen, Fakhar Lift Pakistan To Victory Over UAE, Join India In Super 4s

United Arab Emirates: After all the off-field drama and an hours delay in getting on the park, Pakistan finally found their way into the Super Four stage from Group A of the Asia Cup 2025, defeating hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 41 runs at the Dubai International Stadium here on Wednesday. It was a result that looked far from straightforward for large parts of the contest, but performances from Fakhar Zaman with the bat and Shaheen Shah Afridi in both innings tilted the game in Pakistans favour. Asked to bat first, Pakistan endured another shaky start. Saim Ayub, desperate to avoid a hat-trick of golden ducks, fell for a silver duck dismissed on his second ball. Abdullah Shafique followed soon after, as Junaid Siddique breathed fire with the new ball to reduce the Men in Green to a precarious position inside three overs. Fakhar Zaman, however, counter-attacked with authority. Batting at number three, he mixed aggression with composure to carve out a crucial half-century. His 50 came off 36 balls and included two fours and three sixes. Along with skipper Salman Ali Agha, who laboured for 20 off 27 balls, he added 61 runs for the third wicket to give Pakistan temporary stability. But once Salman perished trying to break free, Pakistan faltered again. The middle-order failed to respond, as Simranjeet Singh Kangs orthodox left-arm spin returned figures of 3-26, while Siddique also ran through the batting. Mohammad Haris, demoted to number seven despite a match-winning fifty earlier in the tournament, managed 18 off 14. It was only Shaheen Shah Afridis late cameo that dragged Pakistan to respectability. The left-arm quick smashed an unbeaten 29 off 14 balls, striking two sixes and a boundary in the final over to lift Pakistan to 146/9 in their 20 overs. The total, though modest, proved more than enough for Pakistan thanks to a disciplined bowling and fielding performance. Fakhars effort and Shaheens batting cameo were complemented by Pakistans bowlers sharing the spoils. The UAE chase unravelled dramatically after a steady start, collapsing from relative control to losing their last seven wickets for just 20 runs. Shaheen returned with the ball to remove Harshit Kaushik, who was strangled down the leg side after a review. Sahibzada Farhans direct hit from mid-wicket caught Simranjeet Singh short, while Haris Rauf dismissed Haider Ali to end the UAEs hopes. The final wicket came via a runout, capping a stunning collapse. All of Pakistans frontline bowlers chipped in, except Mohammad Nawaz, and collectively they never allowed the UAE to dictate terms. The 41-run victory sealed Pakistans place in the Super Four alongside India, while UAE bowed out despite spirited spells from Siddique and Simranjeet. Shaheen returned with the ball to remove Harshit Kaushik, who was strangled down the leg side after a review. Sahibzada Farhans direct hit from mid-wicket caught Simranjeet Singh short, while Haris Rauf dismissed Haider Ali to end the UAEs hopes. The final wicket came via a runout, capping a stunning collapse. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Pakistan 146/9 in 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 50, Shaheen Shah Afridi 29 not out; Junaid Siddique 4-18, Simranjeet Singh 3-18) beat UAE 105 all out in 17.4 overs (Rahul Chopra 35, Dhruv Parashar 20; Abrar Ahmed 2-13, Haris Rauf 2-19) by 41 runs. Article Source: IANS

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Asia Cup: Fakhars Fifty, Shaheens Late Cameo Take Pakistan To 146/9 After Turbulent Build-up

Dubai International Cricket Stadium: On a day overshadowed by off-field drama, Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi produced the only bright spots for Pakistan, who stumbled to 146/9 in their 20 overs against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the start of Match 10 of Group A was delayed by an hour in the Men's T20 Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday. The game, already marked by controversy following Pakistans row with match referee Andy Pycroft, saw the Men in Green once again struggle with the bat. Asked to bat first, they lost both openers inside the first three overs, with Junaid Siddique breathing fire with the new ball. Saim Ayub, desperate to avoid a hat-trick of golden ducks, lasted just two deliveries before falling for a silver duck. Abdullah Shafique fared little better as Pakistan slumped early. It was Fakhar Zaman who steadied the innings with an aggressive counterattack. Walking in at number three, the left-hander played with intent, mixing calculated risks with clean hitting. He brought up a much-needed half-century, reaching 50 off 36 balls with two boundaries and three sixes. Alongside skipper Salman Ali Agha, who ground out 20 off 27, Zaman added 61 runs for the third wicket to briefly lift Pakistan from the ruins. But once the partnership was broken, Pakistans innings lost all momentum. Salman perished while trying to break free, and the middle-order caved under pressure. Simranjeet Singh Kang and Siddique ran through the heart of the batting lineup, with wickets tumbling like a pack of cards. Mohammad Haris, curiously pushed down to number seven despite his match-winning half-century in the opener, struck 18 off 14 but failed to push on. Just when Pakistan looked set to fold well short of a competitive score, Shaheen Shah Afridi injected late energy. The left-arm quick, once again proving his worth with the bat, hammered an unbeaten 29 off just 14 balls, laced with two sixes and a boundary in the final over to push the total closer to respectability. From 146/9, Pakistan will now hope their bowlers can cover for yet another inconsistent batting display. For the UAE, with momentum from the new-ball burst and the fielding intensity, the chase at Dubai International Stadium has been set up enticingly. Mohammad Haris, curiously pushed down to number seven despite his match-winning half-century in the opener, struck 18 off 14 but failed to push on. Just when Pakistan looked set to fold well short of a competitive score, Shaheen Shah Afridi injected late energy. The left-arm quick, once again proving his worth with the bat, hammered an unbeaten 29 off just 14 balls, laced with two sixes and a boundary in the final over to push the total closer to respectability. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Pakistan 146/9 in 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 50, Shaheen Shah Afridi 29 not out; Junaid Siddique 4/18, Simranjeet Singh 3/18) against UAE Article Source: IANS