By Himadullah Sohoo 
Match Context: UAE vs Pakistan – 10th Match, Group A, Asia Cup 2025 Preview
Group A of the Asia Cup 2025 is heating up! Both Pakistan and UAE have 1 win and 1 loss each, sitting on 2 points. Net Run Rate (NRR) could decide qualification, making this clash crucial.
- Pakistan started strong but stumbled in one game, and they need a dominant win to secure their spot.
- UAE, despite being underdogs, stunned Oman recently and will be looking to cause another upset.
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS), Dubai
Date & Time: September 17, 2025, 6:30 PM (local)
Tournament: Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025
Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
- UAE: ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅
- Pakistan: ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌
Pakistan remain favorites but UAE showed they can surprise on their day.
Players to Watch
United Arab Emirates
- Muhammad Waseem – The explosive opener, 285 runs @ 28.5 avg, 140.39 SR in last 10 matches.
- Alishan Sharafu – Reliable middle-order batter, 210 runs @ 30 avg, good against spin.
- Haider Ali (bowler) – Leading wicket-taker for UAE, 18 wickets @ 5.81 econ, 12.33 SR.
- Junaid Siddique – Strike bowler, 9 wickets in 6 matches, though expensive at times.
Pakistan
- Fakhar Zaman – Key run-getter, 243 runs @ 34.71 avg, 130.64 SR, thrives at the top.
- Saim Ayub – Impact player, with 241 runs & 12 wickets in last 10 games, a true all-rounder.
- Mohammad Nawaz – Pakistan’s spin trump card, 18 wickets @ 6.88 econ, 11 SR, strikes in the middle overs.
- Shaheen Afridi (if included) – Usually decisive in powerplay with new-ball swing.
Head-to-Head (Last 3 Matches)
- 04 Sep 2025 – Pakistan won by 31 runs
- 30 Aug 2025 – Pakistan won by 31 runs
- 29 Feb 2016 – Pakistan won by 7 wickets (with 8 balls remaining)
Pakistan are unbeaten vs UAE in recent history.
Pitch & Conditions – Dubai (DICS)
- Flat track, good for batting under lights.
- Spinners get grip in the second innings.
- Expect a par score of 165–180.
- Dew factor could influence captains’ choice to bowl first.
Key Battles
- Waseem vs Shaheen Afridi – UAE’s best batter against Pakistan’s pace spearhead.
- Sharafu vs Nawaz – Middle-order anchor vs Pakistan’s ace spinner.
- Ayub vs Haider Ali – Pakistan’s rising star against UAE’s leading wicket-taker.
Prediction UAE vs Pakistan – 10th Match, Group A, Asia Cup 2025
Pakistan hold a clear edge with superior depth in both batting and bowling. UAE will need an extraordinary effort from Waseem & Haider Ali to challenge.
Likely Result: Pakistan win – but UAE could make it interesting if their top order fires.
Anas Ahmed 
Zainab Shafiq