PAK vs UAE: All-round Shaheen Sends Pakistan to Super Four: Drama vs UAE in Asia Cup 2025

Introduction: More than Just a Win

Pakistan’s do-or-die match against the UAE in Asia Cup Group A proved a platform for Shaheen Afridi’s finishing ability and disciplined bowling. The match, played in Dubai, was marked by off-field tensions (including a handshake controversy) and the pressure on the green-clad players to qualify. However, Shaheen’s late-game performance and crucial wickets helped Pakistan secure a 41-run victory and a place in the Super Four.

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Top-Order Trouble: Pak vs Uae Pakistan’s Fragile Start

The start was far from ideal for Pakistan:

• Early wickets fell, and the score was 17/2 after four overs.

• Saim Ayub and Junaid Siddique were dismissed cheaply.

• Fakhar Zaman fought back, powering a fifty and nuking boundaries when the field allowed.

By the 15-over mark, Pakistan were 93/5 and needed something special to get to a defendable total.

Shaheen’s Death-Over Blitz: Pak vs Uae

As UAE bowlers tightened, especially spinners in the middle overs, Pakistan’s chances of a big total dimmed. But then came the death overs:

• Shaheen Afridi played a blistering 29 off just 14 balls*, including big hits: two sixes and a four in the final over.

• That late cameos pushed Pakistan’s total to 146/9 in 20 overs.

UAE’s Chase and Pakistan’s bowling discipline

UAE started promisingly with Alishan Sharafu and Waseem, looking to take advantage early. But several things worked against them:

• Pakistani spinners Abrar Ahmed (2/13) and Saim Ayub (1/18) strangled the scoring in the middle overs.

• Rahul Chopra made some runs (34 in vain), but UAE lost key wickets at regular intervals.

• The required run rate climbed under pressure. UAE were eventually dismissed for 105 in 17.4 overs, giving Pakistan a 41-run win.

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Where the Game Was Won

Here are the turning moments:

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Player of the Match: Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Afridi’s all-round performance stood out:

• Batting: 29* off 14 balls with the bat when Pakistan needed a late surge.

• Bowling: He chipped in with 2 wickets for 16 runs.

His cameo under pressure was the difference. Many commentators credited that late-over show as switching momentum.

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The Controversy Off the Field

• This match was delayed by an hour due to Pakistan’s objections over referee Andy Pycroft stemming from the recent handshake dispute with India.

• PCB threatened to pull out but finally proceeded once Pycroft apologized for “miscommunication”.

Despite the off-field drama, Pakistan’s performance under pressure showed character.

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Match Summary

• Pakistan Innings: 146/9 (20 overs)

  • Fakhar Zaman: 50

  • Shaheen Afridi: 29* off 14 balls

  • UAE Bowlers: Junaid Siddique 4/18, Simranjeet Singh 3-wks etc.

• UAE Innings: 105 all out in 17.4 overs

• Result: Pakistan won by 41 runs; qualified for Super Four.

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What This Means Going Forward

• Pakistan has now booked their place in the Super Four stage alongside India.

• UAE are out of the tournament.

• The match also showed that Pakistan’s batting fragile start + middle collapse still need fix; death-overs batting improvement is essential.

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Final Thoughts

If there’s a takeaway from this match, it’s that in T20s, sometimes one high-intensity cameo + smart bowling is enough to win. Shaheen Afridi provided that burst. He rescued Pakistan with bat, pressed with the ball, and helped quell off-field tensions.

Next up: Pakistan vs India in the Super Four. That clash just became more interesting.

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