Pakistan Enters Into Super 4 After Shaheen Afridi's Heroics Allround Perfomance Against UAE
In a must-win Asia Cup 2025 clash, Pakistan defended a modest total of 146 against a spirited UAE, bowling them out for 105. Shaheen Afridi's explosive batting and deadly bowling sealed a 41-run victory and a Super 4 spot for the Men in Green.
In a tense and crucial Group A match of the Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan held their nerve to defeat the United Arab Emirates by 41 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The victory ensured Pakistan's qualification into the Super 4 stage of the tournament, finishing second in their group behind India.
Winning the toss, UAE opted to bowl first, a decision that seemed right as their bowlers, especially Junaid Siddique, ripped through the Pakistani top order. Siddique was brilliant, finishing with incredible figures of 4/18 in his 4 overs, dismissing openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan cheaply.
Enter Shaheen Afridi, The pace spearhead turned into a pinch-hitting hero, smashing an unbeaten 29 runs from just 14 balls, including 3 fours and 2 huge sixes. His late assault pushed Pakistan's total to a fighting 146/9 in their 20 overs, giving the bowlers something to defend.
Defending 146, Pakistan's bowlers came out with fire. Shaheen Afridi immediately set the tone, clean bowling opener Alishan Sharafu with a trademark fiery delivery. The mystery spin of Abrar Ahmed (2/13) then strangled the UAE middle order, including the big wicket of captain Muhammad Waseem (14).
Despite a steadying 35 from wicketkeeper Rahul Chopra, the UAE batting lineup had no answers to Pakistan's disciplined attack. Haris Rauf chipped in with two crucial wickets, and part-time spinner Salman Ali Agha also took a wicket.
The UAE innings eventually folded for 105 in 17.4 overs, handing Pakistan a comprehensive 41-run win. For his game-changing knock with the bat and his destructive opening spell (2/16), Shaheen Afridi was rightly awarded the Player of the Match.
With this win, Pakistan confirms its place in the Super 4 round. The team will look to carry this winning momentum and address their batting concerns as they face tougher opponents in the next stage. The Asia Cup 2025 is heating up!
Pakistan: 146/9 in 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 50, Shaheen Afridi 29*; Junaid Siddique 4/18)
UAE: 105 all out in 17.4 overs (Rahul Chopra 35; Abrar Ahmed 2/13, Shaheen Afridi 2/16)
Result: Pakistan won by 41 runs.
Pakistan's Batting Stutters, Shaheen Provides the Spark
Winning the toss, UAE opted to bowl first, a decision that seemed right as their bowlers, especially Junaid Siddique, ripped through the Pakistani top order. Siddique was brilliant, finishing with incredible figures of 4/18 in his 4 overs, dismissing openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan cheaply.
Only Fakhar Zaman provided any significant resistance in the top order, scoring a quickfire 50 off 36 balls. The middle order, including Salman Ali Agha (20) and Mohammad Haris (18), got starts but failed to convert them into a big score. At 117/8, Pakistan was staring at a below-par total.
Enter Shaheen Afridi, The pace spearhead turned into a pinch-hitting hero, smashing an unbeaten 29 runs from just 14 balls, including 3 fours and 2 huge sixes. His late assault pushed Pakistan's total to a fighting 146/9 in their 20 overs, giving the bowlers something to defend.
Bowlers Seal the Deal in Dominant Fashion
Defending 146, Pakistan's bowlers came out with fire. Shaheen Afridi immediately set the tone, clean bowling opener Alishan Sharafu with a trademark fiery delivery. The mystery spin of Abrar Ahmed (2/13) then strangled the UAE middle order, including the big wicket of captain Muhammad Waseem (14).
Despite a steadying 35 from wicketkeeper Rahul Chopra, the UAE batting lineup had no answers to Pakistan's disciplined attack. Haris Rauf chipped in with two crucial wickets, and part-time spinner Salman Ali Agha also took a wicket.
The UAE innings eventually folded for 105 in 17.4 overs, handing Pakistan a comprehensive 41-run win. For his game-changing knock with the bat and his destructive opening spell (2/16), Shaheen Afridi was rightly awarded the Player of the Match.
 |
| Image credit-skysports |
What's Next?
With this win, Pakistan confirms its place in the Super 4 round. The team will look to carry this winning momentum and address their batting concerns as they face tougher opponents in the next stage. The Asia Cup 2025 is heating up!
Final Score:
Pakistan: 146/9 in 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 50, Shaheen Afridi 29*; Junaid Siddique 4/18)
UAE: 105 all out in 17.4 overs (Rahul Chopra 35; Abrar Ahmed 2/13, Shaheen Afridi 2/16)
Result: Pakistan won by 41 runs.
Todays Match
Sri Lanka VS Afghanistan
Abu Dhabi
8PM
#AsiaCup2025#PAKvsUAE#ShaheenAfridi#SriLankavsAfghanistan
Post a Comment