Pakistan vs UAE highlights, Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan beat UAE by 41 runs to set-up clash with India on Sunday

Well, Pakistan find a way to survive and qualify for the Super Fours. What does that mean? Another India-Pakistan clash, but there is some time for that, on Sunday, 21st September, 2025. Tough luck for UAE. They have played really well not only in this series, but in the tri-series prior to this series as well. Of course, there was a blip against India, but that happens to everyone. They will go off this tournament with their heads held high and lots of learnings. Coming to Thursday, 18th September, 2025, we move to Abu Dhabi. Group A is done in terms of qualification but match 11 presents an interesting case. Afghanistan take on Sri Lanka in Group B. A win will take the Afghans through while a loss will take Bangladesh through! Not officially confirmed, but an excellent run rate puts Sri Lanka unofficially into the next round. That should be a cracker of a contest. The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 2.30 pm GMT but our buildup will begin well in advance. So do tune in early. In the meanwhile, you can catch all the action from the Zimbabwe-Namibia T20I series. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

The victorious skipper of Pakistan, SALMAN AGHA, cannot hide his glee. He expresses satisfaction with the victory and advancement to the next round. However, he acknowledges that the team needs to improve its batting performance, crediting the bowlers for their current success in the tournament. Agha praises Shaheen, calling him a match-winner whose all-round skills are crucial to the team's success. He also highlights Abrar's match-winning ability, noting that he can change the course of any game from any situation. When asked about the upcoming match against India, Agha emphasizes that the team is focused on its own performance rather than worrying about others. He confidently states that if Pakistan play to their potential, they can win against any team.

The captain of United Arab Emirates, Muhammad Waseem, is up for a chat now. On being asked about the feeling in the camp at the halfway stage, he credits the bowlers for restricting Pakistan to a low total. Admits that they lost the game because of ordinary batting. Points that they were still there in the chase till the 15th-16th over, but then lost wickets one after the other. Stresses that they need to take the responsibility and bat till the end. Tells that they need to learn and move forward. Highlights that it has been good playing against opponents like India and Pakistan and have learnt a lot as a team from them as well.

Pakistan's SHAHEEN AFRIDI has been adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for his all-round show of an unbeaten 29 (14) with the bat and 2/16 in 3 overs with the ball. When asked about his batting, Shaheen credits his hard work in the nets, saying it was satisfying to see his efforts pay off in the match. Shaheen expresses his team's enthusiasm for the upcoming games, stating that they are looking forward to the next matches after this victory. He emphasizes his simple yet effective batting approach, saying he plays every ball on its merit without changing his strategy. Regarding his successful bowling spell, Shaheen explains that he looks to exploit the swing early on and attack the stumps, an approach that has worked well for him so far.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the game. United Arab Emirates chose to field, perhaps because of the dew and bowled really well, keeping Pakistan on the mat. Fakhar Zaman's 50 was the only standout, till the 18th over, post which, Shaheen Afridi came out all guns blazing, just like he did against India and his whirlwind unbeaten 29 (14) helped Pakistan amass 28 runs in the last 2 overs. Junaid Siddique bowled his heart out, picking up 4/18 in 4 overs while Simranjeet Singh kept Pakistan quiet in the middle overs, with 3 wickets. However, the efforts still proved short. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

Full marks to Pakistan with the ball. They lacked self belief against India but in this game, they were full of belief. They came out to the middle believing that they can defend 146 and made that 146 look like 176. Shaheen Afridi set the tone early, removing Alishan Sharafu in his second over, eventually finishing with 2/16 in 3 overs. Barring Mohammad Nawaz, the rest then stepped up, with Abrar Ahmed finishing another meagre spell of 2/13 in 4 overs. Not to forget Haris Rauf, who was missed in that India game, picking up 2 wickets in this one. There was no let up of pressure at all.

UAE got off to a great start with the bat, racing to 35/1 at the end of the 4th over. Clearly, they wanted to maximize the fielding restrictions and the new ball, but once skipper Muhammad Waseem departed, the runs simply stopped flowing. Rahul Chopra and Dhruv Parashar tried to stitch things together and got a 48-run partnership but that came in 51 balls. Eventually, the pressure crept up and after that stand was broken, despite the platform being set, the pitch got too difficult for the new batters to bat quickly. Like Pakistan, United Arab Emirates also had only 4 batters in double digits but no one to bat deep and till the end.

This match had all the essence of a red-carpet event. One team refusing to take part till around an hour before the scheduled start of play, then turning up with the match start being delayed by an hour. Then, that team in the news huffs and puffs to an under-150 score, with a number 9 being the second highest scorer of the innings. At the halfway stage, nearly half the world was calling this an early exit for Pakistan. However, that's why they are Pakistan, isn't it? Just when it seems like they are done for, they somehow turn things around from nowhere.

The United Arab Emirates just cannot find the zip to get past Pakistan. Gave a good fight in the tri-series in 2 matches, improving themselves and in this contest, fought really hard with the ball, giving themselves a great chance of an upset. Unfortunately for them, their batting simply did not support enough. That's the 6th loss on the trot for the Arabs in T20Is, while batting second. The last time they won a match chasing was against Kenya, in July 2025.

Muhammad Rohid is the last batter in, replacing Haider Ali.

Haris Rauf to Muhammad Rohid, RUN OUT! GAME, SET AND MATCH! Pakistan have got the victory they needed to advance to the next round of games as they defeat the United Arab Emirates by 41 runs. On a length around middle and off, Muhammad Rohid slices this to deep point and takes two without any difficulty. The throw from the deep was towards the striker's end and Mohammad Haris just tried a cheeky behind-the-back run-out at his end but the batter was well in and the keeper missed the stumps as well. The ball rolled towards the non-striker's end with Rohid keen on the third but at the other end, his partner, Junaid Siddique, had his back against him and wasn't that keen on the run. Haris Rauf picked the ball and threw it on the bounce towards Haris at the striker's end and he did the rest by breaking the stumps.

Haris Rauf to Haider Ali, OUT! CAUGHT! Another one in the over for Pakistan and Haris Rauf too gets his second of the game. Good length, cramping the batter for any sort of room to play with. Haider Ali swings for all money, but only gets it ballooned towards the fielder at mid-wicket. Sahibzada Farhan settles well underneath it and holds onto it. United Arab Emirates have been brought down to 103 for 9.

Haris Rauf to Haider Ali, Hurls it full and outside off, Haider Ali drives it straight to the right of mid off.

Direct hit! This looks close. Sahibzada Farhan was the fielder. Oh dear. Gone by a long margin, is Simranjeet Singh.

Haris Rauf to Simranjeet Singh, OUT! SIMRANJEET SINGH IS RUN OUT! Just a stump to aim and Sahibzada Farhan hits the bullseye with the batter way short of his ground. The scolding he got from his skipper a few overs back seems to have got the best out of Farhan in the field. A length delivery from Rauf around middle and leg, Simranjeet Singh looks to slog but hits this off the bottom of his bat towards the fielder at mid-wicket and runs for it. Sahibzada Farhan gathers this and hits the stumps at the non-striker's end with the batter much short of his crease. The umpire, just to be doubly sure, sends this upstairs and the result was never in doubt.

United Arab Emirates need another 44 from 18 balls. Pakistan scored 36 in their last 3 overs. Haris Rauf is back on. 2-0-17-1 so far.

Shaheen Afridi to Haider Ali, FOUR! Finds the fence! The 100 comes up for the UAE! Shaheen hits the shorter length, on top of off. Haider Ali backs away and smashes it over the point fielder for a boundary.

Shaheen Afridi to Simranjeet Singh, Slower delivery, at 119.5 kph, full and on middle. Simranjeet Singh drills it down to long on for a single.

Shaheen Afridi to Simranjeet Singh, Bangs it short and just outside off. Simranjeet Singh arches a bit and sways away from the line to leave.

Shaheen Afridi to Simranjeet Singh, Spears in a low full toss, tailing in a touch from middle, at 141.2 kph. Simranjeet Singh forces it away to the cover fielder.

Caught behind! Is it? Afridi feels so, but the umpire has not given it. Agha has taken the review this time. And yes, UltraEdge detects a spike when the ball is close to the glove!

Shaheen Afridi to Harshit Kaushik, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Shaheen comes over the wicket and bowls a back-of-a-length delivery going down the leg. Harshit Kaushik looks to get this away towards the fine leg region but fails to get a good connection on it. Ends up gloving this towards the right of the keeper. Mohammad Haris dives to his right and holds onto it inches above the ground. Shaheen Afridi jogs in a celebratory manner towards the keeper but is left stunned as the umpire turns down this. Salman Agha sends this upstairs and there is a spike on the UltraEdge as the ball is next to the gloves of Harshit Kaushik, forcing the on-field umpire to change his decision of not out to out. Simranjeet Singh walks in next.

Shaheen Afridi to Haider Ali, On a good length, around off, Haider Ali hops in the crease and runs this wide of deep backward point for as single.

After 16 overs, United Arab Emirates are 97/6. At the same stage, Pakistan were 105/6. Shaheen Afridi returns. 2-0-10-1 so far.

Salman Agha to Haider Ali, Slider, going down the leg, onto the pads of Ali. The batter edges this onto the pads and deflects it to square leg for one.

Salman Agha to Haider Ali, Flighted around the block hole on off, Haider Ali blocks this out towards mid off.

Haider Ali walks in next, at number 8, replacing Rahul Chopra.

Salman Agha to Rahul Chopra, OUT! CAUGHT! That could be the final nail in the coffin. Full, on middle and off, Chopra goes for the big slog sweep but gets it only as far as deep mid-wicket. Simple catch for Hasan Nawaz. End of a struggling run-a-ball 35 for Chopra and from 85/3, United Arab Emirates are now 96/6! Equation - 51 runs, 26 balls.

Salman Agha to Rahul Chopra, Tossed up, around middle and leg, Rahul Chopra puts on the dancing shoes, jumps down the track and flicks this towards Hasan Nawaz at deep mid-wicket towards his left for two. Nawaz did well to run a few yards to his left and put in a slide to field this, keeping it down to two.

Salman Agha to Rahul Chopra, SIX! How has he managed to hit that? Tossed up, a bit wider outside off, Rahul Chopra came down the track but was far from the pitch of the ball. However, he went through with his reach and somehow swiped it over wide long off for half a dozen!

Salman Agha to Rahul Chopra, Comes round the wicket, does the skipper of Pakistan, bowls a fuller one, wide outside off. Rahul Chopra looks to drag this with a sweep towards the leg side but misses out.

The middle overs have been slow going for United Arab Emirates. They managed just 50 runs and lost 2 wickets in these 9 overs. Pakistan were something similar, managing 54/3 in those 9 overs. Harshit Kaushik walks in next, at number 7, replacing Asif Khan. Also, Salman Agha comes onto bowl.

Abrar Ahmed to Asif Khan, OUT! BOWLED! Abrar ends his spell with a wicket. A carrom ball, around off, Asif Khan goes for a massive mow on the leg side, but misses, as the ball spins in and shatters the stumps. Abrar is pumped up, as he finishes his night with bowling figures of 4-0-13-2. Asif departs for a 4-baller and from 85/3, United Arab Emirates are now 88/5. Equation - 59 runs, 30 balls.

Abrar Ahmed to Asif Khan, Quicker one, turning away from the batter around off. Asif Khan swings and gets an outside edge that falls just short of a diving short third fielder. Something has got to give now for the UAE. 

Abrar Ahmed to Rahul Chopra, Fuller around off, Rahul Chopra pushes this through cover for a single. 

Abrar Ahmed to Asif Khan, LEG BYE! Floated full, sliding down the leg. Asif Khan misses out on the flick and clips this off his front pad towards square leg for a leg bye.

Abrar Ahmed to Asif Khan, Googly on middle and off, Asif Khan hops onto his back foot and tucks this to mid-wicket for a dot.

Abrar Ahmed to Rahul Chopra, Way too full on middle and off, Rahul Chopra flicks this all along the carpet through backward square leg for one.