Pakistan advanced to the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025 after defeating the United Arab Emirates by 42 runs in the 10th match of the tournament, played in Dubai on Wednesday.
The result sets up a highly anticipated showdown with arch-rivals India on September 21.
Chasing a target of 147, the UAE were dismissed for 105, undone by Pakistan’s fiery pace attack.
Rahul Chopra top-scored with 35 while Daru Prashar added 20, but their efforts could not prevent a collapse.
Haris Rauf led Pakistan’s bowling with three wickets, while Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed chipped in with two apiece, ensuring a comfortable win for the Green Shirts.
Earlier, after opting to bowl first, the UAE restricted Pakistan to 146 for nine in their allotted 20 overs.
Pakistan endured a rocky start as opener Saim Ayub was dismissed for a duck, setting an unwanted record by becoming the first batter to record three consecutive ducks in the tournament, and four in a single month.
His partner, Sahibzada Farhan, also departed cheaply for five, putting Pakistan under pressure early on.
It was Fakhar Zaman who steadied the innings with a fluent 50 off 36 balls, while skipper Salman Ali Agha contributed 20 from 27 deliveries.
Mohammad Haris added 18 before Shaheen Afridi provided late fireworks, smashing 29 runs off just 14 balls to push Pakistan to a competitive total.
Among the UAE’s bowlers, Junaid Siddique was outstanding with four wickets, while Simranjeet Singh claimed three, effectively stalling Pakistan’s scoring momentum during the middle overs.
Pakistan made two changes for the contest, bringing in Haris Rauf and Khushdil Shah for Sufiyan Muqeem and Faheem Ashraf.
The tactical switches paid off as Pakistan delivered a commanding all-round performance to secure qualification for the Super Four stage of the tournament.
AFP adds:
Pakistan set up another politically charged showdown with arch-rivals India at the Asia Cup after defeating the United Arab Emirates by 41 runs in Dubai on Wednesday.
The match began an hour late as the fallout rumbled on from a handshake row with India.
The Pakistan Cricket Board was considering pulling out from the tournament after their demand to remove Andy Pycroft who oversaw Sunday's game, after which the India team refused to shake hands with their rivals.
The International Cricket Council refused the change, and Pycroft officiated the UAE match.
Fakhar Zaman scored 50 off 36 balls and Shaheen Shah Afridi added a brisk 29 not out as Pakistan made a modest 146-9 batting first.
Spinner Abrar Ahmed led Pakistan's bowling charge with 2-13 as the UAE were dismissed for 105 in 17.4 overs. Shaheen took 2-16 and fellow paceman Haris Rauf 2-19.
The win means Pakistan join India in the Super Four from Group A. They will meet again in Dubai on Sunday.
Rahul Chopra top-scored for the hosts with a run-a-ball 35.
Pakistan got off to a shaky start as Saim Ayub fell for a second-ball duck while Sahibzada Farhan made five, both falling to pace bowler Junaid Siddique.
Siddique finished with an impressive 4-18 in his four overs.
Zaman and Salman Agha added 61 for the third wicket. Agha made 20.
Zaman hit three sixes and two fours before he fell to left-arm spinner Simranjeet Singh, who took 3-26.
It was left to Shaheen to help Pakistan add 51 in the last five overs.
Sri Lanka meet Afghanistan in Abdu Dhabi to decide who goes through to the next round from Group B. Bangladesh are also in the running with two wins in three matches.