🏟️ Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan vs UAE Match Overview
The ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 continued with high drama in Dubai, where Pakistan overcame early batting struggles to register a 41-run win against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With this result, Pakistan joined arch-rivals India in the Super Four, while UAE and Oman bowed out of the tournament.
At the center of Pakistan’s triumph was none other than Shaheen Shah Afridi, who played the role of a match-winner with both bat and ball. His 29 off 14 deliveries* at the death rescued Pakistan from a modest score, while his 2/16 with the ball destroyed UAE’s hopes of a chase.
⚡ Pakistan’s Rocky Start with the Bat
Put into bat first on a tricky Dubai International Cricket Stadium pitch, Pakistan suffered an immediate setback. Junaid Siddique, UAE’s new-ball specialist, dismissed Saim Ayub (0) and Sahibzada Farhan (5) in his first two overs. With just nine runs on the board, Pakistan’s innings seemed to be heading toward disaster.
The pressure mounted on captain Salman Ali Agha and senior batter Fakhar Zaman, who were tasked with rebuilding. The pair added a much-needed 61-run stand for the third wicket, steadying the ship and giving Pakistan a chance to recover.
💪 Fakhar Zaman Leads the Charge
Fakhar Zaman, one of Pakistan’s most explosive openers, carried the fightback with his trademark fearless stroke play. His 50 off 36 balls, including two fours and three sixes, provided the backbone of the innings.
However, his dismissal in the 14th over to Simranjeet Singh once again opened the floodgates. Pakistan slipped from a comfortable position to 110/7, leaving the team’s hopes of posting a fighting total hanging by a thread.
🔥 Shaheen Afridi’s Power-Hitting Cameo
Just when UAE sensed a chance to restrict Pakistan under 130, Shaheen Shah Afridi walked in at No. 9 and turned the game around. Known for his fiery pace bowling, Shaheen stunned the UAE bowlers with his clean ball-striking ability.
- 3 fours
- 2 sixes
- 29 runs off 14 balls
His last-over assault propelled Pakistan to 146/9 in 20 overs, a total that looked competitive given the pitch conditions.
🎯 UAE’s Chase Falters
Chasing 146, UAE needed a solid start, but Pakistan’s bowling attack never let them settle. Shaheen Afridi, fresh from his batting heroics, removed key batters early. Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed joined the party, each bagging two wickets.
Wicketkeeper Rahul Chopra tried to keep UAE’s hopes alive with a patient 35 off 35, but with no major partnerships building, the chase derailed. The team folded for 105 in 17.4 overs, falling 41 runs short.
⭐ Standout Performers
- Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan): 29* (14) & 2/16 – the ultimate game-changer.
- Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan): 50 (36) – a crucial anchor role.
- Junaid Siddique (UAE): 4/18 – outstanding new-ball bowling.
- Simranjeet Singh (UAE): 3 wickets – kept Pakistan under pressure.
🏆 Pakistan Joins India in Super Four
With this victory, Pakistan became the second team from Group A to book their place in the Super Four, joining arch-rivals India. Meanwhile, UAE and Oman’s Asia Cup campaigns ended in disappointment.
This sets the stage for the high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash in the Super Four, a match the cricket world eagerly awaits.
📊 Asia Cup 2025 Points Table (Group A)
- India – Qualified for Super Four ✅
- Pakistan – Qualified for Super Four ✅
- UAE – Knocked Out ❌
- Oman – Knocked Out ❌
📢 Cricketory Insights & Analysis
At Cricketory, we believe this match was a classic example of Pakistan’s unpredictability. From a fragile top order collapse to a lower-order rescue act, the team once again highlighted both its strengths and weaknesses.
- Strengths: Bowling depth, match-winners like Shaheen Afridi, resilience under pressure.
- Weaknesses: Fragile top order, over-dependence on senior batters.
Looking ahead, Pakistan must improve its batting stability if it wants to challenge India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh in the Super Four stage. While Shaheen’s cameo was extraordinary, relying on tailenders for rescue won’t always work against stronger opponents.
That said, this win will boost Pakistan’s confidence, and the India vs Pakistan clash promises fireworks.
📝 Final Thoughts
Pakistan’s victory over UAE in the Asia Cup 2025 was more than just a group-stage win—it was a statement of intent. Despite a shaky start, the team showed resilience, adaptability, and the ability to find match-winners beyond the top order. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s all-round brilliance not only rescued Pakistan but also reinforced his status as one of the most valuable players in world cricket.
As Pakistan heads into the Super Four alongside India, the stakes get higher. The batting lineup still needs stability at the top, but with bowlers like Shaheen, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed in form, Pakistan remains a dangerous side. If the middle order finds consistency, the Men in Green could very well challenge for the Asia Cup 2025 title.
The stage is now set for the India vs Pakistan clash, and fans around the world can expect nothing short of fireworks.
❓ FAQs
Q1: Who was the Man of the Match in Pakistan vs UAE Asia Cup 2025?
👉 Shaheen Shah Afridi won the unofficial Man of the Match for his all-round performance (29* runs and 2 wickets).Q2: How many runs did Pakistan score against UAE?
👉 Pakistan posted 146/9 in 20 overs, thanks to Fakhar Zaman’s fifty and Shaheen Afridi’s late cameo.Q3: Did Pakistan qualify for the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four?
👉 Yes, Pakistan joined India as the two teams from Group A to qualify for the Super Four.Q4: Who took the most wickets in Pakistan vs UAE match?
👉 UAE’s Junaid Siddique claimed 4 wickets for 18 runs, while Shaheen, Haris, and Abrar took two each for Pakistan.