Key Points
- Asif Khan’s explosive 77 off 35 gave UAE hope, but Pakistan’s bowlers held their nerve to defend 207
- Hasan Ali (3 wickets) and Mohammad Nawaz (2 wickets) led Pakistan’s bowling effort despite UAE’s middle-order resistance
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan registered its second consecutive win on Saturday, defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 31 runs at Sharjah Cricket Ground in the tri-series.
Saim Ayub (PAK) earned the Player of the Match award for his blistering 69 off 38 deliveries and an economical bowling performance of 1 for 6.
In a challenging run chase of 208, the UAE’s batting lineup showed glimpses of resilience but ultimately fell short. Muhammad Zohaib struggled to build momentum, contributing 13 runs from 14 balls before being dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz.
Captain Muhammad Waseem played a quick cameo, scoring 33 off 18 balls before being run out. Ethan D’Souza and Alishan Sharafu couldn’t make an impact, managing just 3 runs each. Rahul Chopra added 11 runs, but Asif Khan put on a spectacular display of power hitting, smashing an incredible 77 off just 35 balls, with 6 sixes and a strike rate of 220. His aggressive approach took the game by storm, leaving a significant impact before falling to Hasan Ali.
Despite his brilliance, the UAE couldn’t keep up the pressure, and wickets tumbled with Saghir Khan, Dhruv Parashar, and others falling cheaply. Haider Ali and Junaid Siddique remained not out, but their efforts couldn’t prevent a collapse, leaving UAE struggling to meet the target.
Pakistan’s bowling unit delivered a mixed performance, with Mohammad Nawaz standing out for his economical and impactful spell. He claimed 2 key wickets while conceding just 21 runs in his full quota of 4 overs, maintaining tight control over the middle overs.
Hasan Ali, though slightly expensive with 47 runs off 4 overs, made crucial breakthroughs, picking up 3 wickets and putting pressure back on the UAE’s chase. Young Saim Ayub chipped in effectively with the ball, grabbing a wicket in his 2 overs while giving away only 6 runs. Salman Mirza, despite conceding 43 runs, managed to pick up a wicket and bowled with good pace and aggression, though his economy rate remained on the higher side.
Earlier, Pakistan posted a gigantic total of 207 thanks to the partnership of 57 runs off 25 between middle-order orders Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz.
Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali added 26 runs off 13 balls. Left-hander opener Saim Ayub, with his brisk 69 off 38 balls studded with four maximums and seven fours, provided a launchpad after opener Sahibzada Farhan went back to the pavilion, hitting two fours for his eight runs.
Hasan Nawaz, the emerging talent of Pakistan, again proved his mettle, making 56 off just 26 balls with 6 towering sixes. Mohammad Nawaz also contributed a brisk 25, and Faheem Ashraf 16. Pakistan was all out on the last ball of the 2oth over.
For the UAE, Junaid Siddique and Saghir Khan were the standout bowlers for the UAE as both with control and variations claimed three wickets each. Haider Ali took 2 wickets and added pressure on Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Pakistan’s XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Salman Mirza, Sufiyan Muqeem
UAE’s XI: Muhammad Zohaib, Muhammad Waseem (c), Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra (wk), Ethan D’Souza, Dhruv Parashar, Saghir Khan, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah
