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- Pakistan vs UAE highlights, Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan beat UAE by 41 runs to set-up clash with India on Sunday
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Sep 18, 2025, 08:04:13 IST
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Pakistan vs UAE highlights, Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan beat UAE by 41 runs to set-up clash with India on Sunday
Pakistan vs United Arab Emirates highlights, Asia Cup 2025: Shaheen Shah Afridi starred with both bat and ball as Pakistan brushed aside an inexperienced UAE side by 41 runs in their final group league match on Wednesday, setting up a much-anticipated Super 4s clash against arch-rivals India.
The match began an hour late after Pakistan reportedly threatened a pull-out following the recent handshake controversy in their previous game against India. Eventually, Salman Agha’s team backed down and showed up to play — and they made their presence felt.
Batting first, Pakistan stumbled early and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Apart from a fluent 50 off 36 balls from Fakhar Zaman, the top order faltered again. However, Shaheen Afridi’s explosive unbeaten 29 off 14 balls gave the innings late momentum, lifting them from a precarious position to a fighting total of 146/9.
For Associate teams, chasing anything over 130 against a Test-playing nation can be daunting, and UAE’s reply never really got going. They were bundled out for 105 in 17.4 overs, with Afridi proving unplayable in his fiery spell of 2/16. He bowled Alishan Sharafu (12) off an inside edge, while UAE captain Muhammad Waseem (14) perished to a sharp leg-break from Abrar Ahmed (2/13), brilliantly caught by Mohammad Nawaz running backwards.
Saim Ayub (1/18) — who has more wickets than runs in the tournament so far — bowled Muhammad Zohaib with a skiddy straight delivery, and despite a fighting 35 from Rahul Chopra, UAE were never in contention as the asking rate spiralled.
Earlier, UAE’s bowlers impressed for most of the innings. Pacer Junaid Siddique (4/18) and Ludhiana-born left-arm spinner Simranjeet Singh (3/26) bowled superbly to reduce Pakistan to 88/5, with Simranjeet even celebrating one dismissal with a ‘Sidhu Moosewala’ style thigh slap. The surface slowed in the middle overs, gripping and stopping on batters, which made shot-making tough.
But Afridi’s late surge took Pakistan close to 150, a total that ultimately proved out of reach for UAE.
With this win, Pakistan have sealed their place in the Super 4s, setting up a high-voltage rematch with India on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium.
The match began an hour late after Pakistan reportedly threatened a pull-out following the recent handshake controversy in their previous game against India. Eventually, Salman Agha’s team backed down and showed up to play — and they made their presence felt.
Batting first, Pakistan stumbled early and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Apart from a fluent 50 off 36 balls from Fakhar Zaman, the top order faltered again. However, Shaheen Afridi’s explosive unbeaten 29 off 14 balls gave the innings late momentum, lifting them from a precarious position to a fighting total of 146/9.
For Associate teams, chasing anything over 130 against a Test-playing nation can be daunting, and UAE’s reply never really got going. They were bundled out for 105 in 17.4 overs, with Afridi proving unplayable in his fiery spell of 2/16. He bowled Alishan Sharafu (12) off an inside edge, while UAE captain Muhammad Waseem (14) perished to a sharp leg-break from Abrar Ahmed (2/13), brilliantly caught by Mohammad Nawaz running backwards.
Saim Ayub (1/18) — who has more wickets than runs in the tournament so far — bowled Muhammad Zohaib with a skiddy straight delivery, and despite a fighting 35 from Rahul Chopra, UAE were never in contention as the asking rate spiralled.
Earlier, UAE’s bowlers impressed for most of the innings. Pacer Junaid Siddique (4/18) and Ludhiana-born left-arm spinner Simranjeet Singh (3/26) bowled superbly to reduce Pakistan to 88/5, with Simranjeet even celebrating one dismissal with a ‘Sidhu Moosewala’ style thigh slap. The surface slowed in the middle overs, gripping and stopping on batters, which made shot-making tough.
But Afridi’s late surge took Pakistan close to 150, a total that ultimately proved out of reach for UAE.
With this win, Pakistan have sealed their place in the Super 4s, setting up a high-voltage rematch with India on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium.
18:33 (IST) Sep 17
PAK vs UAE Live Score, Asia Cup 2025: Update from Dubai
Our reporter Pratyush from Dubai:
Match referee Andy Pycroft is at the venue
Match referee Andy Pycroft is at the venue
18:31 (IST) Sep 17
PAK vs UAE Live Score, Asia Cup 2025: 'Appointment of match officials is a centralised ICC decision'
Appointment of match officials is a centralised ICC decision and it can't be influenced by considerations of any member board.
This would set a dangerous precedence for the future.
This would set a dangerous precedence for the future.
18:31 (IST) Sep 17
PAK vs UAE Live Score, Asia Cup 2025: 'Andy Pycroft did not breach any match protocols'
- Andy Pycroft did not breach any match protocols; in fact, he helped prevent potential embarrassment for both captains by informing them that the organisers had decided to skip the handshake at the toss.
- The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was within its rights to raise a complaint, but the International Cricket Council (ICC) had already conducted an inquiry, which cleared Pycroft of any wrongdoing or misconduct.
- The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was within its rights to raise a complaint, but the International Cricket Council (ICC) had already conducted an inquiry, which cleared Pycroft of any wrongdoing or misconduct.
18:20 (IST) Sep 17
It seems all is not well in the Pakistan camp. Just hours before their crucial Asia Cup clash against United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, a fresh controversy has emerged. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has deleted its social media post about the Pakistan vs UAE game, sparking speculation and confusion.
The deletion has only added to the growing uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s participation in the match. With just about two hours left for the scheduled team departure from their hotel, the fate of the game remains unclear.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier threatened to pull out of the tournament after blaming ICC match referee Andy Pycroft for the "no-handshake" controversy following their loss to India. Pakistan also cancelled their pre-match press conference slated for Wednesday, fuelling further doubts.
On Tuesday, both India and Pakistan trained at the ICC Academy in Dubai. While their time slots were different, the two teams were at the venue simultaneously for about an hour.
The deletion has only added to the growing uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s participation in the match. With just about two hours left for the scheduled team departure from their hotel, the fate of the game remains unclear.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier threatened to pull out of the tournament after blaming ICC match referee Andy Pycroft for the "no-handshake" controversy following their loss to India. Pakistan also cancelled their pre-match press conference slated for Wednesday, fuelling further doubts.
On Tuesday, both India and Pakistan trained at the ICC Academy in Dubai. While their time slots were different, the two teams were at the venue simultaneously for about an hour.
18:03 (IST) Sep 17
PAK vs UAE Live Score, Asia Cup 2025: Pak team stopped!
Our reporter Pratyush Raj from Dubai tells us:
The Pakistan cricket team has been stopped from leaving for the stadium, even though their kit bags have already been loaded onto the bus.
The Pakistan cricket team has been stopped from leaving for the stadium, even though their kit bags have already been loaded onto the bus.
18:01 (IST) Sep 17
Watching India and Pakistan train at the nets reveals the gulf between the two sides. It starts with the basics — discipline and work ethic — which the Pakistan side lacks.
On Tuesday, at the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai, India and Pakistan trained at the same venue in different time slots. But even the process of training highlighted the gulf between the two teams.
India's bus arrived at the venue at 5:20 pm (local time), 40 minutes before their scheduled start. India’s support staff, including side-arm throwers D Raghavendra, Nuwan Seneviratne, and Dayanand Garani, had reached 40 minutes before the team.
On Tuesday, at the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai, India and Pakistan trained at the same venue in different time slots. But even the process of training highlighted the gulf between the two teams.
India's bus arrived at the venue at 5:20 pm (local time), 40 minutes before their scheduled start. India’s support staff, including side-arm throwers D Raghavendra, Nuwan Seneviratne, and Dayanand Garani, had reached 40 minutes before the team.
17:19 (IST) Sep 17
PAK vs UAE Live Score, Asia Cup 2025: SQUADS
Squads:
United Arab Emirates Squad: Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Waseem(c), Asif Khan, Muhammad Zohaib, Harshit Kaushik, Rahul Chopra(w), Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Jawadullah, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Aryansh Sharma, Matiullah Khan, Ethan DSouza, Simranjeet Singh, Saghir Khan
Pakistan Squad: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris(w), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Hussain Talat, Hasan Ali, Khushdil Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza
United Arab Emirates Squad: Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Waseem(c), Asif Khan, Muhammad Zohaib, Harshit Kaushik, Rahul Chopra(w), Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Jawadullah, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Aryansh Sharma, Matiullah Khan, Ethan DSouza, Simranjeet Singh, Saghir Khan
Pakistan Squad: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris(w), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Hussain Talat, Hasan Ali, Khushdil Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza
17:18 (IST) Sep 17
PAK vs UAE Live Score, Asia Cup 2025: Probable XIs
PAKISTAN - Probable XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed
UAE - Probable XI: Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Waseem (c), Muhammad Zohaib, Rahul Chopra (wk), Asif Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Jawadullah, Junaid Siddique
UAE - Probable XI: Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Waseem (c), Muhammad Zohaib, Rahul Chopra (wk), Asif Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Jawadullah, Junaid Siddique
17:16 (IST) Sep 17
PAK vs UAE Live Score, Asia Cup 2025: When and where
When: Wednesday, September 17
Time: 6:30 PM Local (8:00 PM IST)
Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Time: 6:30 PM Local (8:00 PM IST)
Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
17:16 (IST) Sep 17
PAK vs UAE Live Score, Asia Cup 2025: Rrumours of skipping training
Despite rumours of skipping training, the players did turn up — albeit for a relatively low-intensity session. While India’s training was intense and structured, featuring fitness drills like Bronco runs under trainer , Pakistan stuck to an outdated football-passing routine, a drill more common over a decade ago.
The contrast between the two camps was striking. India’s session lasted nearly three hours, while Pakistan’s was shorter and far more relaxed. The banter among Pakistani players appeared cheerful, but insiders hinted at underlying tension.
Interestingly, none of the Pakistani players approached the Indian nets, where supervised a focused training session.
Meanwhile, on a lighter note, India’s captain celebrated his birthday belatedly at the ground. On the request of the Indian media contingent, he cut a cake — a moment that lifted spirits after a hard day’s practice. His actual birthday fell on Sunday, the same day India defeated Pakistan convincingly.
The contrast between the two camps was striking. India’s session lasted nearly three hours, while Pakistan’s was shorter and far more relaxed. The banter among Pakistani players appeared cheerful, but insiders hinted at underlying tension.
Interestingly, none of the Pakistani players approached the Indian nets, where supervised a focused training session.
Meanwhile, on a lighter note, India’s captain celebrated his birthday belatedly at the ground. On the request of the Indian media contingent, he cut a cake — a moment that lifted spirits after a hard day’s practice. His actual birthday fell on Sunday, the same day India defeated Pakistan convincingly.
17:16 (IST) Sep 17
PAK vs UAE Live Score, Asia Cup 2025: Hello and welcome!
The top brass of the (PCB) spent Tuesday awaiting clearance from Islamabad following the now-infamous “handshake fiasco.” But on the eve of their must-win clash against , Pakistan’s players attempted to put on a brave face. The controversy erupted after Sunday’s loss to , when Indian players chose not to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts as a mark of respect for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. The PCB formally demanded the removal of ICC match referee , citing a breach of ICC protocols — a request that was promptly rejected by the game’s governing body.
Ironically, the rejection letter was signed by ICC general manager , who previously served as PCB CEO.
Even after the rejection, PCB officials were reportedly lobbying for veteran referee to officiate Wednesday’s match as a compromise solution. Sources say PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi — who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister — sees this as a potential face-saving measure.
Sections of the Pakistani media claimed that Naqvi’s scheduled meeting with Prime Minister was largely related to internal security matters and not directly tied to the Asia Cup boycott threat.
Ironically, the rejection letter was signed by ICC general manager , who previously served as PCB CEO.
Even after the rejection, PCB officials were reportedly lobbying for veteran referee to officiate Wednesday’s match as a compromise solution. Sources say PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi — who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister — sees this as a potential face-saving measure.
Sections of the Pakistani media claimed that Naqvi’s scheduled meeting with Prime Minister was largely related to internal security matters and not directly tied to the Asia Cup boycott threat.
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