After a delayed start, Pakistan took part in the qualifying round for the next Asian Cup 2025 with a 41-run victory in Dubai.
Released on September 17, 2025
Pakistan overcame a short batting breakdown on the field and a period of upheaval that left it, beating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 41 runs and competed in the Super 4 stages of Dubai’s Asian Cup Cricket Tournament.
In a once uncertain match, an hour later, Pakistan posted 146-9 in 20 overs at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
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The two-time Asian champion was able to reject the UAE at 105 in 17.4 overs, securing his position in the next phase of the region’s T20 tournament.
Despite losing three early wickets, the United Arab Emirates saw a position to pass a shocking defeat to Pakistan. Rahul Chopra 35 (35) and Dhruv Parashar 20 (23) formed 48 partnerships.
However, when fast bowler Harris Rauf rejected Parashar on the 14th, the UAE wicket fell into the mountains with the next 22 deliveries.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Rauf each took two wickets.
Previously, veteran top-order batter Fakar Zaman scored a top score with 50 off-balls of 36 balls, giving Pakistan the opportunity to post defensible totals after both openers were rejected in three overs.
Zaman formed a brief partnership with Captain Salman Aga, earning 20 runs from 27 balls, but until Afridi’s 14-ball-29, Pakistan didn’t appear to have given the United Arab Emirates a tricky target.
This victory sends Pakistan as the second best team in Group A behind India.
Sri Lanka is the only team to qualify from Group B, where Bangladesh and Afghanistan compete in the second spot.
