By Zainab Shafiq 
Pakistan produced a professional all-round performance to defeat the United Arab Emirates by 41 runs in Dubai on September 17, to qualify for the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025. With this result, Pakistan did not only qualify for Super Four but will also renew their fierce rivalry with India on September 21 in yet another high-voltage clash.
Fakhar’s Fifty and Shaheen’s Firepower
Put into bat by UAE, Pakistan got off to a shaky start, losing both openers, Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan, within the first three overs. However, Fakhar Zaman steadied the innings with a fluent half-century. His 50 from 36 balls, featuring two boundaries and three sixes, provided much-needed momentum in the middle overs.
Skipper Salman Agha chipped in with 20, while Mohammad Haris added a brisk 18. But Pakistan were once again staring at a modest total when wickets fell in clusters. At 128/8 in the 19th over, the innings seemed destined to end below par.
Enter Shaheen Shah Afridi. The left-arm pacer showcased his batting firepower, blasting an unbeaten 29 off just 14 deliveries, including three boundaries and two sixes. His late cameo propelled Pakistan to 146/9 in 20 overs, enough to put pressure on UAE’s inexperienced batting lineup.
UAE Collapse Under Pressure
UAE’s chase started aggressively, but Pakistan’s bowlers were relentless. Shaheen Afridi struck early, removing Alishan Sharafu and later Harshit Kaushik to finish with 2/16 from three overs. Spinner Abrar Ahmed tightened the screws with 2/13, while Haris Rauf and Saim Ayub also chipped in with crucial breakthroughs.
Despite Rahul Chopra’s fighting 35 and Dhruv Parashar’s 20, UAE never truly threatened the target. Regular wickets ensured they were bowled out for 105 in 17.4 overs, handing Pakistan a comfortable 41-run victory.
Afridi was rightly named Player of the Match for his all-round brilliance, 29* with the bat and two key wickets with the ball. His performance was the decisive factor in Pakistan’s progression to the next stage.
With this result, Pakistan defeat UAE convincingly and qualify for the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025. Their next challenge will be a blockbuster clash against arch-rivals India on September 21 in Dubai, a rematch eagerly awaited by fans worldwide.
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