Pakistan sealed their berth in the Super Four of the Asia Cup 2025 following a tough victory over hosts United Arab Emirates(UAE) in Dubai. But the attention was on Shaheen Afridi, who finished the match with bat and ball to guide Pakistan to a 41-run victory.
This is a result that sees UAE out of the tournament, and Pakistan through alongside India in their group. The arch-rivals will now clash in a cricket match on Sunday (September 21).
Shaheen Afridi’s All-round Brilliance
The left-arm seamer demonstrated that he is a lot more than just Pakistan’s strike bowler. With his team gasping for breath at 93/5 after 15 overs, Shaheen’s breezy knock of 29* from just 14 balls did the trick. He struck two sixes and a four in the last over before holing out to extra cover, taking Pakistan to 146/9 in 20 – a total that suddenly looked competitive on an increasingly awkward surface.
When it was Shaheen’s turn to bowl, he delivered again by striking early and then coming back for 2/16. Backed by Abrar Ahmed (2/13) and Haris Rauf, Pakistan’s bowlers decimated UAE in their chase as they were bundled out for 105 in 17.4 overs.
Where Was the Game Won?
The game came down to the last five overs of each side. Just when Pakistan appeared set for a below-par score, Shaheen unleashed some huge blows. UAE, however, completely lost the plot in their death overs – where they collapsed to 17/5.
Remember, both sides were in the same position after 15 overs — Pakistan 93/5; UAE 88/5. But the contrast came on implementation at the back end: Pakistan had a finisher, UAE did not.
Pakistan’s Innings – From Struggle to Spark
Powerplay: Stumbling Start
Pakistan’s innings started poorly. Openers Saim Ayub (0) and Sahibzada Farhan (1) both fell within the opening four overs, with the side reeling at 9/2. Fakhar Zaman eased some pressure with two maximums at a go and Salman Agha’s four off Rubel Hossain ensured Pakistan had reached 39/2 in six overs.
Middle Overs: Fakhar Holds Firm
UAE’s spinners tightened the screws in the middle overs. Salman Agha struggled for fluency before falling for 20, while Fakhar Zaman looked the only batter in control. His aggressive strokeplay brought him a vital 50 off 35 balls, but his dismissal in the 13th over shifted momentum again. By the 15th over, Pakistan were only 93/5, searching desperately for runs.
Death Overs: Shaheen to the Rescue
Simarjeet Singh (2/ in one over) and Junaid Siddique (4/18 overall) decimated Pakistan’s middle-order and lower order. But just as it appeared Pakistan would cave in limply, along came Shaheen Afridi with a point to make. Bashing 29* off 14, he let Pakistan loot 53 runs in the last five and set a daunting target of147.
UAE’s Chase – Bright Start, Quick Collapse
Powerplay: Early Promise, Quick Wickets
UAE got off to a confident start with Alishan Sharafu hitting Shaheen for a boundary ball in between two sixes. Skipper Muhammad Waseem also discovered the fence at UAE surged to 19/0 in two overs. But the joy was short-lived. Sharafu had his stumps splayed and Waseem departed soon. UAE were 38/3 when the powerplay ended under pressure.
Middle Overs: Spinners Take Charge
There was not much change when Pakistan’s spin duo of Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub came into the attack. Dhruv Parashar attempted to break the shackles but fell to Haris Rauf. Big-hitting Asif Khan was UAE’s last hope but Abrar’s clever carrom ball did for the batsman, dismissing him for 11. By then, the asking rate was also out of control and Pakistan were home.
Death Overs: The Final Blow
And with Asif gone, UAE had run out of steam. Rahul Chopra hit the only six in the reply but was then out for 35, the best score of the innings. Run-outs and Shaheen’s fiery return spell condemned the innings to 105 all out in 17.4 overs, miles adrift of what was required.
Match Summary
- Pakistan 146/9 in 20 overs: (Fakhar Zaman 50, Shaheen Afridi 29*; Junaid Siddique 4/18, Simarjeet Singh 2/26)
- UAE 105 in 17.4 overs: (Rahul Chopra 35; Abrar Ahmed 2/13, Shaheen Afridi 2/16, Haris Rauf 1/24)
- Result: Pakistan won by 41 runs
What’s Next Match?
The win also puts Pakistan into the Super Four along with India from the group. For UAE, the defeat ends their Asia Cup campaign.
Until then fans look ahead to the blockbuster clash on Sunday – India vs Pakistan in Dubai. And with two of the strong contenders for this year’s title fielding attacking bowling sides and a bunch of in-form stars, the Super Four fixture looks set to be another tantalising chapter.
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