On August 30, 2025, the Sharjah Cricket Stadium hosted an electrifying clash between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the second match of the UAE T20I Tri-Series, a preparatory tournament for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. The match, played under the floodlights in front of a modest but enthusiastic crowd, showcased Pakistan’s dominance and UAE’s resilience, with standout performances from both sides. Pakistan emerged victorious by 31 runs, but not without a spirited fight from the hosts, led by Asif Khan’s explosive batting. This comprehensive report delves into the match’s key moments, individual brilliance, tactical nuances, and its broader implications for both teams.
The Build-Up: Context and Expectations
The UAE T20I Tri-Series, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE, served as a critical platform for teams to fine-tune their strategies ahead of the Asia Cup, scheduled to begin on September 9, 2025, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, entered the tournament with momentum from a 39-run victory over Afghanistan the previous day. Their performance against Afghanistan highlighted their batting depth and bowling discipline, with Salman Agha’s unbeaten half-century and Haris Rauf’s four-wicket haul setting the tone.
The UAE, under the leadership of Muhammad Waseem, viewed the tri-series as an opportunity to test their mettle against stronger opposition. Having secured a surprising 2-1 series win over Bangladesh recently, the UAE were buoyed by confidence but faced a formidable challenge against Pakistan, a team with a rich cricketing pedigree. The only previous T20I encounter between the two sides, during the 2016 Asia Cup in Bangladesh, saw Pakistan triumph by seven wickets, setting a precedent for their dominance.
The Sharjah pitch, known for its balanced nature, promised a competitive game. Former Pakistan cricketer Bazid Khan noted in the pitch report that the surface had a bit of grass, suggesting a par score of around 160 for the team batting first. However, Sharjah’s history of supporting quick runs hinted at the possibility of a high-scoring affair, provided batsmen adapted to the conditions.
The Toss and Team Selections
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision influenced by their successful batting performance against Afghanistan and the desire to set a challenging total. The absence of stalwarts Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan gave younger players like Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz an opportunity to shine. Pakistan’s XI included: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Salman Mirza, and Sufiyan Muqeem.
The UAE fielded a balanced side, banking on their experienced captain Muhammad Waseem and the explosive Asif Khan. Their lineup was: Muhammad Zohaib, Muhammad Waseem (c), Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra (wk), Ethan DSouza, Dhruv Parashar, Saghir Khan, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, and Muhammad Jawadullah. The UAE aimed to leverage their familiarity with Sharjah’s conditions to challenge Pakistan’s formidable batting and bowling units.
Pakistan’s Batting: A Tale of Resilience and Aggression
Pakistan’s innings began with an aggressive intent, as openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub looked to capitalize on the powerplay. However, the UAE bowlers, led by Junaid Siddique, struck early. Farhan fell cheaply, caught off a well-directed delivery, leaving Pakistan at 15/1 in the third over. Fakhar Zaman, known for his flamboyant strokeplay, followed soon after, dismissed for a single-digit score, and captain Salman Agha’s brief stay at the crease ended with another quick wicket, reducing Pakistan to 62/3 in 8.2 overs.
Saim Ayub, however, anchored the innings with a masterful display of controlled aggression. His 38-ball 69, laced with four sixes and seven fours, was a blend of elegance and power. Ayub’s ability to find gaps and clear the boundary kept the scoreboard ticking, even as UAE’s spinners, including Haider Ali, applied pressure. His fourth T20I half-century, achieved in just 25 balls, was a testament to his growing stature as a reliable opener.
The turning point came with the arrival of Hasan Nawaz, a young talent hailed by Salman Agha as a “generational talent.” Nawaz’s 26-ball 56 was a spectacle of brute force, featuring six towering sixes, including a hat-trick of maximums off Haider Ali. His aggressive approach unsettled the UAE bowlers, who struggled to contain the run flow. Nawaz’s partnership with Mohammad Nawaz (25 off 15) for the fifth wicket yielded 57 runs in just 25 balls, propelling Pakistan past the 200-run mark.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Pakistan’s lower order, including contributions from Mohammad Haris and Faheem Ashraf, ensured they finished strongly at 207/6 in 20 overs. Junaid Siddique and Saghir Khan were the pick of the UAE bowlers, each claiming three wickets, but their economy rates suffered due to Pakistan’s late onslaught. The total was formidable, and the UAE faced an uphill task chasing 208 on a pitch that was expected to slow down.
UAE’s Chase: Asif Khan’s Heroics Amidst Collapse
The UAE’s chase began with promise, as captain Muhammad Waseem adopted an aggressive approach. His 18-ball 33, studded with powerful shots, gave the hosts a brisk start, reaching 45/0 in 4.3 overs. However, a moment of miscommunication led to Waseem’s run-out in the sixth over, a turning point that shifted momentum. Hasan Ali struck on the next ball, removing Muhammad Zohaib, and the UAE slumped to 47/2.
The middle order struggled against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack. Mohammad Nawaz, the left-arm spinner, was particularly effective, bowling tight lines and picking up two crucial wickets. His economy rate of under 6 runs per over stifled the UAE’s momentum, while Sufiyan Muqeem’s variations added further pressure. By the 10th over, UAE were 74/5, with the required run rate climbing steeply.
Enter Asif Khan, whose 35-ball 77 was a masterclass in counter-attacking batting. Khan’s innings was a blend of power and finesse, featuring audacious scoops, towering sixes, and precise drives. His 25-ball fifty, followed by a 45-run seventh-wicket partnership with Saghir Khan (11 off 7), revived UAE’s hopes. Khan’s ability to dominate Pakistan’s spinners, particularly Sufiyan Muqeem, was noteworthy, as he smashed a six over midwicket to announce his intent.
In the 18th over, Khan’s assault on Muqeem yielded 18 runs, including a fifty in 25 balls, keeping UAE in the hunt. Saghir Khan complemented Khan’s aggression with a six over square leg, showcasing pure skill. However, Hasan Ali’s return in the 19th over proved decisive. He dismissed Saghir Khan, caught at long-on, and later ended Asif Khan’s brilliance with a well-directed bouncer that resulted in a top-edge catch. Khan’s departure at 176/7 effectively sealed UAE’s fate.
The UAE finished at 176/8, falling 31 runs short. Hasan Ali was the standout bowler with 3/47, supported by Mohammad Nawaz’s economical spell and Sufiyan Muqeem’s two wickets. Pakistan’s death bowling, while not flawless, was sufficient to secure a comfortable victory, though captain Salman Agha later admitted the need to improve in the final overs.
Post-Match Reflections: Captains’ Insights
In the post-match presentation, Salman Agha praised his team’s batting performance, particularly highlighting Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz’s contributions. “It was a perfect batting game. First 15 overs with the bowling we were good, but the last five overs we need to work on,” he said, acknowledging the leakage of runs in the death overs. Agha emphasized Nawaz’s potential, stating, “He’s a generational talent and has a great future. He just needs to keep working on his game.”
UAE captain Muhammad Waseem expressed mixed emotions, noting that his team conceded 15-20 runs too many while bowling. He lauded Asif Khan’s performance, saying, “We’re lucky to have a talent like him in our team. His knock kept us in the game till the end.” Waseem remained optimistic about UAE’s prospects, viewing the match as a learning opportunity ahead of their next game against Afghanistan.
Key Performances and Turning Points
Saim Ayub (69 off 38): His explosive knock laid the foundation for Pakistan’s total, showcasing his ability to anchor and accelerate.
Hasan Nawaz (56 off 26): Nawaz’s aggressive fifty, including a hat-trick of sixes, turned the game in Pakistan’s favor.
Asif Khan (77 off 35): His lone hand kept UAE in the chase, demonstrating his potential as a match-winner.
Hasan Ali (3/47): His crucial wickets, including the dismissals of Saghir and Asif Khan, sealed Pakistan’s victory.
Mohammad Nawaz (2 wickets): His economical spell in the middle overs choked UAE’s scoring rate.
The turning points included Waseem’s run-out, which disrupted UAE’s early momentum, and Hasan Nawaz’s explosive batting, which pushed Pakistan’s total beyond UAE’s reach. Asif Khan’s late assault, while thrilling, came too late to overturn the deficit.
Tactical Analysis: Pakistan’s Dominance, UAE’s Fight
Pakistan’s strategy revolved around aggressive batting in the powerplay and middle overs, followed by disciplined bowling to defend their total. The absence of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan allowed younger players to step up, with Ayub and Nawaz proving their worth. However, their death bowling remained a concern, as Asif Khan’s onslaught exposed vulnerabilities in their end-overs strategy.
The UAE, despite their loss, showed promise. Their bowlers, particularly Siddique and Saghir Khan, challenged Pakistan early, but their inability to contain the lower order proved costly. Asif Khan’s batting highlighted UAE’s potential to compete with stronger teams, but their middle order’s collapse underscored the need for greater depth.
Broader Implications: Asia Cup Preparations
For Pakistan, the victory solidified their status as favorites for the tri-series and boosted their confidence ahead of the Asia Cup. The performances of Ayub and Nawaz suggest a bright future, especially in the absence of senior players. However, their death bowling requires refinement to compete against stronger teams like India and Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup.
The UAE, while outclassed, can take heart from Asif Khan’s brilliance and their early bowling efforts. Facing top teams like Pakistan and Afghanistan provides invaluable experience, and their upcoming match against Afghanistan offers a chance to refine their strategy. The tri-series is a stepping stone for UAE to identify their strongest XI for the Asia Cup, where they will face India, Pakistan, and Oman in Group A.
The Bigger Picture: Cricket in the UAE
The UAE T20I Tri-Series underscores the Emirates’ growing stature as a cricketing hub. With the Asia Cup set to be hosted in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the region’s facilities and neutral-venue status make it ideal for high-stakes tournaments. The modest crowd at Sharjah, largely comprising Afghan and Pakistani expatriates, highlighted the passion for cricket in the UAE, though the absence of a packed stadium was noted.
The match also reflected the evolving dynamics of associate nations like the UAE. Their ability to challenge established teams, as evidenced by their recent series win over Bangladesh, signals progress. Asif Khan’s performance, in particular, drew attention, with commentators suggesting he could attract interest from T20 franchises worldwide.
Conclusion: A Stepping Stone for Both Teams
The Pakistan vs UAE clash was a microcosm of T20 cricket’s unpredictability and excitement. Pakistan’s 31-run victory reinforced their dominance, but UAE’s spirited fight, led by Asif Khan, ensured the match remained competitive. As both teams look ahead to the Asia Cup, this encounter provided valuable lessons—Pakistan on tightening their bowling, and UAE on building batting depth.
With the tri-series progressing, Pakistan aim to maintain their unbeaten streak, while UAE seek an upset against Afghanistan. The Sharjah Cricket Stadium, steeped in cricketing history, continues to witness moments of brilliance, and this match was no exception. For fans, it was a reminder of cricket’s ability to unite and thrill, even in a largely empty stadium under the desert lights.
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