Pakistan overcame a turbulent build-up and a mid-innings collapse to secure a 41-run victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and advance to the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup in Dubai on Wednesday. The win sets up a highly anticipated clash with arch-rivals India this Sunday.
Despite on-field stutters and off-field drama—including a delayed start and tension surrounding match officiating—Pakistan delivered when it mattered, dismissing the UAE for 105 in 17.4 overs after setting a target of 147.
The Group A match, held at the Dubai International Cri
cket Stadium, began an hour late due to ongoing fallout from Pakistan’s previous encounter with India, which had ended in controversy after Indian players reportedly declined post-match handshakes.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had even threatened to withdraw from the tournament unless match referee Andy Pycroft—who also officiated Sunday’s game—was removed. Following emergency discussions with the ICC, the match proceeded as scheduled, with Pycroft retained as referee.
👏 @FakharZamanLive brings up his 13th T20I half-century 🏏#BackTheBoysInGreen | #PAKvUAE | #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/7AaGOa0VLQ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 17, 2025
Put to bat, Pakistan posted 146-9 in their 20 overs. Veteran batter Fakhar Zaman anchored the innings with a well-made 50 off 36 balls, while Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered a crucial late cameo of 29 not out off 14 balls, lifting Pakistan to a defendable total after a shaky start that saw both openers dismissed in the third over.
Captain Salman Ali Agha contributed 20 off 27 balls but acknowledged in the post-match presentation that the side needs to improve in the middle overs, saying:
“We haven’t batted at our best yet… we’re still working towards consistent 150+ scores.”
The UAE made a spirited start in their chase, particularly through a 48-run stand between Rahul Chopra (35 off 35) and Dhruv Parashar (20 off 23).
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi held a press conference alongside former chairmen Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Watch here ➡️ https://t.co/N1yT5hZyuy pic.twitter.com/cH524Nepis
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 17, 2025
However, once Haris Rauf broke the partnership by dismissing Parashar in the 14th over, the innings collapsed quickly.
Pakistan’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed each taking two wickets. Abrar led the attack with economical figures of 2 for 13, while Afridi was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
The match was played under a cloud of controversy following Sunday’s politically charged Pakistan-India clash.
Reports of a post-match snub and PCB demands had cast doubt over Pakistan’s participation in Wednesday’s fixture. However, after receiving an apology from match referee Pycroft, the team agreed to play.
With this win, Pakistan finish second in Group A behind India and will now face their rivals again in a high-stakes Super Four match on Sunday.
Sri Lanka have already qualified from Group B, with Bangladesh and Afghanistan vying for the final spot.
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Asim Tanveer is a seasoned journalist working for TV and electronic and print media outlets. He has been working for some of the world’s leading news organizations including Associated Press (AP), Reuters, BBC, CNN, CNBC, Star TV, Voice of America and The New York Times for more than 20 years. He has won several awards for his live coverage of events that include a Reuters News Agency World Award and the Pride of Performance award in 2010.
