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A Youthful Blaze: Pakistan’s Young Guns Outclass UAE in Thrilling T20 Encounter

Pakistan's dynamic youngsters, Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz, smashed explosive fifties to power their side to a commanding total, securing a 31-run victory over a spirited UAE team. Despite Asif Khan's valiant 77-run blitz, Pakistan's bowling attack held their nerve to continue their winning momentum in the UAE T20I Tri-Series, setting a perfect tone for the upcoming Asia Cup.

In a high-voltage showdown at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Pakistan continued their dominant run in the UAE T20I Tri-Series, securing a convincing 31-run victory over the home side. The match, a crucial practice ahead of the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025, saw Pakistan's young brigade step up and deliver a performance that combined power and precision.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Pakistan's innings was a tale of two explosive half-centuries. Opener Saim Ayub, finding his rhythm with perfection, unleashed a brilliant 69 off just 38 balls. His innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, decorated with 7 fours and 4 sixes that sent the ball soaring into the stands.

While Ayub laid a solid foundation, it was the explosive hitting of Hasan Nawaz that truly shifted the momentum. Coming in at a crucial juncture, Nawaz tore into the UAE bowling attack, smacking a blistering 56 runs off a mere 26 deliveries. His knock, studded with 2 fours and 6 monstrous sixes, left the bowlers clueless and the crowd roaring. Together, these two youngsters propelled Pakistan to a daunting total of 207 runs, a score that looked out of reach for most of the match.

The UAE bowlers, Junaid Siddique and Saghir Khan, did well to pick up three wickets each, but the sheer pace of scoring from the Pakistani batsmen meant they were always playing catch-up.

Chasing a mammoth target, the UAE started brightly, with captain Muhammad Waseem scoring a quickfire 33. However, a middle-order collapse, courtesy of some disciplined bowling from Pakistan's spinners, seemed to have sealed their fate. But then came the late heroics from Asif Khan.

Asif, batting with fiery intent, launched a breathtaking counter-attack. His knock of 77 runs from just 35 balls, including 6 fours and 6 sixes, was nothing short of extraordinary. He single-handedly kept the UAE's hopes alive, taking on Pakistan's experienced pacers and spinners alike. But his brave effort wasn't enough, as Hasan Ali's crucial wicket in the 19th over brought an end to his blistering innings and the UAE’s chase.

Pakistan's bowling was a mixed bag, but timely wickets were key. While a few bowlers went for runs, Mohammad Nawaz stood out with his economical spell, giving away only 21 runs and taking two vital wickets. Hasan Ali also finished with three wickets, proving to be the match-winner with Asif Khan's scalp.

With this second consecutive win in the tri-series, Pakistan has now defeated Afghanistan by 39 runs and UAE by 31 runs. This winning streak is a huge confidence booster for the team, especially for its younger players, as they fine-tune their strategies and combinations for the upcoming Asia Cup on the same soil. The tournament is turning into the perfect dress rehearsal, showcasing both the depth and explosive potential of the Pakistan squad.

(source-cricbuzz)


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