Pakistan defeated UAE by 41 runs to reach Super Four stage of the Asia Cup. Chasing 147, UAE started cautiously to avoid another batting collapse, but their slow approach left them with little chance of reaching the target. A 48-run partnership between Ravi Chopra (35) and Dhruv Parashar (20) for the fourth wicket offered some resistance, but it was never enough to threaten Pakistan, who dominated the second half of the match. Pakistan’s spinners tightened the screws, slowing the scoring and building pressure as UAE wobbled in their chase of 147, having already lost three early wickets. Junaid Siddique (4/18) and Simranjeet Singh (3/26) combined to rattle Pakistan with seven wickets, but a counterattacking 14-ball 29 from Shaheen Afridi and a brisk half-century by Fakhar Zaman helped Pakistan post 146/9 in their Asia Cup Group A clash on Wednesday.
The game, which began an hour later than scheduled after Pakistan’s delayed arrival at the venue, saw UAE put on an impressive bowling display despite Fakhar’s 36-ball fifty. Junaid Siddique made an immediate impact in the opening over, removing Saim Ayub for a duck in the first over. After the match was pushed back by an hour, UAE elected to field against Pakistan in Dubai. The ICC confirmed that Andy Pycroft would carry on as match referee for the game.
Pakistan face a do-or-die clash against the UAE in the Asia Cup 2025 group stage, with the match effectively serving as a virtual knockout for a Super Four spot. Amidst the no-handshake controversy with India, Pakistan now need to regroup quickly on the field after their disappointing performance against their arch-rivals. Salman Agha and Co. are not the favourites this tournament, but that doesn’t mean they can afford to get knocked out in the group stage only.
After a win against Oman in their first match, Pakistan crumbled against high-quality Indian spin attack. They were absolute no match to the Indian team as the fearless batting approach from Suryakumar Yadav and Co. blew them away in Dubai.
The PCB lodged a complaint with the ICC, alleging that match referee Andy Pycroft instructed skipper Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands with Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav during the toss in their Asia Cup clash on Sunday. However, on Tuesday, the ICC dismissed Pakistan’s demand to drop Pycroft from the officiating panel, despite the PCB reportedly warning of a potential pullout from the tournament—a move that could have resulted in significant financial repercussions for the host nation.
Meanwhile, the UAE, on the other hand, suffered a crushing defeat against India in their opening clash, but they bounced back to trump Oman to keep themselves alive in the contest.
The UAE have a golden opportunity to push for a Super 4 spot as they prepare to face a Pakistan team still reeling from back-to-back defeats and off-field distractions. Playing at home, the hosts will look to capitalize on Pakistan’s dip in form, but will need flawless execution of their plans when they clash with Salman Ali Agha’s side.
UAE qualified for the tournament by winning the ACC Men’s Premier Cup last and came into the event following a tri-series against Pakistan and Afghanistan. They have showed flashes of brilliance but never could sustain it over the entire match and it will be about holding on to the advantageous positions.
Pakistan’s bowling unit will need to regroup quickly, with Shaheen Shah Afridi and his fellow bowlers expected to put the heavy defeat against India behind them. While they may enter as favourites, complacency could be costly against a spirited UAE side.
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