LAHORE (Abdul Basit): Shaheen Shah Afridi produced a stellar all-round display, smashing a whirlwind 29 not out and then taking 2/16, as Pakistan overpowered the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 41 runs to seal their place in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super Four on Wednesday.
Chasing 147 on a sluggish surface at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the UAE folded for 105 in 17.4 overs against Pakistan’s disciplined attack. Wicketkeeper-batter Rahul Chopra resisted with a run-a-ball 35, while Dhruv Prashar (20), skipper Muhammad Waseem (14) and opener Alishan Sharafu (12) chipped in briefly. But none could carry on as Pakistan’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. Shaheen, Haris Rauf (2/19) and Abrar Ahmed (2/13) led the charge, while Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, put into bat, Pakistan posted 146/9 after a shaky start. Junaid Siddique rattled the top order, removing openers Saim Ayub (0) and Sahibzada Farhan (5) cheaply to leave Pakistan wobbling at 9/2. Fakhar Zaman then took charge, adding 61 runs for the third wicket with skipper Salman Ali Agha. Fakhar struck a fluent 50 off 36 balls with two fours and three sixes, while Agha contributed 20 off 27 before falling to Dhruv Prashar.
Pakistan’s middle order faltered again as Hasan Nawaz (3), Khushdil Shah (4) and Mohammad Nawaz (4) departed in quick succession, reducing the total to 110/7 in the 17th over. Wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris added 18 before Shaheen Afridi launched a late assault. Coming in at number nine, the left-hander hammered three fours and two sixes in a blistering 29 off just 14 balls to push Pakistan to a competitive total.
For UAE, Siddique was outstanding with the ball, returning figures of 4/18, while Simranjeet Singh claimed 3/26. With this emphatic win, Pakistan not only advanced to the Super Four but also set the stage for a blockbuster showdown with arch-rivals India, a clash carrying extra edge after recent controversies off the field.
SCORES IN BRIEF: PAKISTAN 146/9 in 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 50, Shaheen Afridi 29*; Junaid Siddique 4/18, Simranjeet Singh 3/26) beat UAE 105 all out in 17.4 overs (Rahul Chopra 35, Dhruv Parashar 20; Abrar Ahmed 2/13, Shaheen Afridi 2/16, Haris Rauf 2/19) by 41 runs.
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