Pakistan overcame an hour-long delay due to a pre-match protest over officiating and secured a 41-run victory against UAE in the 10th match of the Asia Cup 2025 Group A at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 17, 2025, clinching their Super Four qualification. This analysis is based exclusively on verified sources including ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, The Times of India, NDTV Sports, AP News, and Reuters, detailing player stats, innings summaries, key moments, and implications. Pakistan posted 146/9, rescued by Fakhar Zaman’s 50 off 36 and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s 29* off 14, while UAE collapsed to 105 all out in 17.4 overs, with Junaid Siddique’s 4/18 the lone bright spot. Shaheen Shah Afridi was named Player of the Match for his all-round impact.
Match Overview
- Sport: Cricket
- League: Asia Cup 2025 (T20 Format)
- Matchup: UAE vs Pakistan
- Match Covered: 10th Match, Group A — September 17, 2025
- Result: Pakistan won by 41 runs (Pakistan 146/9 in 20 overs; UAE 105 all out in 17.4 overs)
- Venue & Date: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai — September 17, 2025
- Toss: UAE won and elected to field
- Match Duration: Approximately 3 hours
- Attendance: Approximate crowd in thousands
The match was delayed by about an hour due to Pakistan’s protest against match referee Andy Pycroft, stemming from the no-handshake incident in the India-Pakistan game, with Pycroft issuing an apology before play began. UAE’s bowlers struck early, reducing Pakistan to 9/2, but a middle-order recovery set 146/9. UAE’s chase imploded to 37/3 in the powerplay, despite a 48-run fourth-wicket stand, as Pakistan’s spinners and pacers shared the wickets. Pakistan (2-0) top Group A ahead of India (2-0) on NRR, while UAE (1-2) are eliminated from Super Four contention.
Pakistan Innings: 146/9 (20 overs)
Innings Summary
Pakistan lost Saim Ayub (0 off 1, lbw to Siddique at 0/1, 0.2 overs) and Sahibzada Farhan (5 off 6, caught off Siddique at 9/2, 2.1 overs), slumping to 9/2. Fakhar Zaman (50 off 36, five fours, two sixes) and Salman Agha (19 off 21) added 50 for the third wicket, reaching 59/2 after the powerplay. Agha fell to Dhruv Parashar (93/3, 11 overs), and Pakistan wobbled to 93/6 after Khushdil Shah (0 off 1) and Mohammad Nawaz (10 off 8). Hasan Nawaz (12 off 7) and Shaheen Afridi (29* off 14, three sixes) added 32 for the ninth wicket, with Shaheen’s late surge lifting the total to 146/9 despite Simranjeet Singh (3/26).
Key Pakistan Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Fakhar Zaman | 50 (36) | 138.89 | Half-century; five fours, two sixes; 50-run 3rd-wicket stand |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 29* (14) | 207.14 | Unbeaten; three sixes; 32-run 9th-wicket stand |
| Salman Agha (Captain) | 19 (21) | 90.48 | Steady with Fakhar; caught off Parashar |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 10 (8) | 125.00 | Brief support; bowled by Siddique |
| Saim Ayub | 0 (1) | 0.00 | Duck lbw to Siddique |
UAE Bowling Figures
- Junaid Siddique (Pacer): 4-0-18-4, Econ 4.50, 4 wkts (Ayub, Farhan, Nawaz, Rauf). Early and late strikes.
- Simranjeet Singh (Pacer): 4-0-26-3, Econ 6.50, 3 wkts (Zaman, Agha, Khan). Middle-overs control.
- Dhruv Parashar (Spinner): 4-0-25-1, Econ 6.25, 1 wkt (Agha). Key breakthrough.
- Haider Ali (Pacer): 4-0-30-1, Econ 7.50, 1 wkt (Shah). Death pressure.
- Rohan Mustafa (All-rounder): 4-0-38-0, Econ 9.50, 0 wkts. Leaked late.
Key Moments (Pakistan Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace (Siddique, Singh) | Ayub duck (0/1, 0.2 ov); 59/2 at end. |
| 7-10 | Spin (Parashar, Mustafa) | Zaman 50; 93/3 at 10 ov. 34 runs. |
| 11-15 | Mixed attack | Agha out (93/3, 11 ov); 93/6 wobble. 25 runs, 3 wkts. |
| 16-20 | Pace (Ali, Singh) | Shaheen 29* with three sixes; 146/9. 34 runs, 0 wkts. |
UAE Innings: 105 all out (17.4 overs)
Innings Summary
UAE lost Alishan Sharafu (12 off 8, caught off Afridi at 37/3, 4.5 overs) early, slumping to 37/3 in the powerplay. Rahul Chopra (35 off 31) and Dhruv Parashar (20 off 20) added 48 for the fourth wicket, reaching 85/3 by the 13th over. Abrar Ahmed (2/13) dismissed Chopra (85/4, 13.1 overs), and Haris Rauf (2/19) triggered the collapse with Parashar (85/5, 13.2 overs). UAE lost six wickets for 20 runs, folding at 105 all out in 17.4 overs, with Saim Ayub (1/12) and Salman Agha (1/10) chipping in.
Key UAE Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Rahul Chopra (WK) | 35 (31) | 112.90 | 48-run 4th-wicket stand; caught off Abrar |
| Dhruv Parashar | 20 (20) | 100.00 | Brief resistance; bowled by Rauf |
| Muhammad Waseem (Captain) | 14 (14) | 100.00 | Early runs; bowled by Ayub |
| Asif Khan | 10 (12) | 83.33 | Middle-order; caught off Agha |
| Alishan Sharafu | 12 (8) | 150.00 | Powerplay runs; caught off Afridi |
Pakistan Bowling Figures
- Abrar Ahmed (Spinner): 4-0-13-2, Econ 3.25, 2 wkts (Chopra, Rohid). Middle-overs choke.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pacer): 3.4-0-16-2, Econ 4.36, 2 wkts (Sharafu, Kaushik). Powerplay and late strikes.
- Haris Rauf (Pacer): 4-0-19-2, Econ 4.75, 2 wkts (Parashar, Zohaib). Collapse trigger.
- Saim Ayub (Spinner): 3-0-12-1, Econ 4.00, 1 wkt (Waseem). Economical.
- Salman Agha (All-rounder): 2-0-10-1, Econ 5.00, 1 wkt (Khan). Brief spell.
Key Moments (UAE Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace (Afridi, Rauf) | Sharafu out (37/3, 4.5 ov); 37/3 at end. |
| 7-10 | Spin (Abrar, Ayub) | 85/3 at 10 ov; 48-run 4th-wicket stand. 48 runs. |
| 11-15 | Mixed attack | Chopra out (85/4, 13.1 ov); Parashar bowled (85/5, 13.2 ov). 20 runs, 2 wkts. |
| 16-17.4 | Pace (Rauf, Afridi) | Collapse to 105 all out. 0 runs, 5 wkts. |
Head-to-Head Analysis
Pakistan lead UAE 4-0 in T20Is, with this 41-run win marking their third Asia Cup success against them (3-0). Pakistan’s 146/9 is their lowest winning total vs UAE, but the 41-run margin is their largest. UAE’s 105 is their lowest vs Pakistan, with the match aggregate of 251 the lowest in Pakistan-UAE T20Is. Siddique’s 4/18 is UAE’s best figures vs Pakistan, but Abrar’s 2/13 and Rauf’s 2/19 triggered the collapse.
Pakistan’s Strengths:
- Late batting rescue: Shaheen’s 29* off 14 with three sixes.
- Bowling variety: Abrar (2/13), Shaheen (2/16), Rauf (2/19) shared 6/48.
UAE’s Strengths:
- Early bowling: Siddique’s 4/18 reduced Pakistan to 9/2.
- Brief stand: Chopra-Parashar 48-run partnership.
Match Standouts
Pakistan
- Fakhar Zaman: 50 off 36, SR 138.89. Half-century; five fours, two sixes; stabilized innings.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi: 29* off 14, SR 207.14 & 2/16, Player of the Match. Three sixes; early wickets.
- Abrar Ahmed: 2/13, Econ 3.25. Middle-overs choke; dismissed Chopra.
UAE
- Rahul Chopra: 35 off 31, SR 112.90. 48-run 4th-wicket stand; top-scored.
- Junaid Siddique: 4/18, Econ 4.50. Early strikes; reduced Pakistan to 9/2.
- Dhruv Parashar: 20 off 20, SR 100.00. Brief resistance; bowled by Rauf.
Series Context
Pakistan (2-0, 1st in Group A)
After a 41-run win over Oman, Pakistan’s victory confirms Super Four qualification, topping Group A ahead of India (2-0) on NRR. Next: India (Sep 21), a high-stakes rematch amid the handshake controversy.
UAE (1-2, 3rd in Group A)
Following a 42-run win over Oman, UAE’s loss eliminates them from Super Four contention. Coach Lalchand Rajput praised Siddique’s 4/18 but noted the batting collapse as a concern for future series.
Injury and Roster Notes
- Pakistan: No injuries; Haris Rauf and Khushdil Shah included, replacing Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz from previous XI.
- UAE: No reported injuries; unchanged XI from Oman match.
Conclusion
Pakistan defeated UAE by 41 runs in their Asia Cup 2025 Group A decider (PAK 146/9; UAE 105), with Fakhar’s 50, Shaheen’s all-round 29* & 2/16, and Abrar’s 2/13 proving decisive. UAE’s early bowling success (Siddique 4/18) couldn’t be backed by the bat. Pakistan top Group A, gearing for India; UAE exit with pride. For full scorecards and highlights, visit ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, The Times of India, or NDTV Sports.
