In an important PAK vs UAE encounter, Pakistan booked their spot in the final of the current tri-nation series with a 31-run victory over host UAE at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Vizag. Reduced to 80 for 5, a counterattack by Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz, supported by an excellent show of bowling by Abrar Ahmed, set up Pakistan to put up a fighting score of 171 and break the UAE’s chase.
Fakhar Zaman and Nawaz Save Pakistan from a Slump
Having decided to bat first, Pakistan were put in early trouble, Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub being dismissed cheaply. The post-powerplay session witnessed UAE bowlers running amok, but sloppy fielding reversed the job.
The turning point came in the 16th over, when both Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz were dropped in back-to-back deliveries off Haider Ali’s over. These missed chances proved costly. Fakhar capitalized immediately, launching a six off the very next delivery, and the floodgates opened.
In the last half-dozen overs, Pakistan scored a huge 74 runs, with Fakhar hitting five consecutive boundaries to finish off the innings at a dominating 171/5. Nawaz too got into the rhythm later in the innings, hitting two fours and two sixes in the 19th over itself.
Fielding Mistakes of the UAE Lost Them the Game
Fielding was the big difference-maker in the case of PAK vs UAE. UAE bowlers kept the run rate in check for large parts of the innings, particularly left-arm spinner Haider Ali, who returned with commendable figures despite two crunch time dropped chances in his last over.
Read More
At 108 for 5 in 16 overs, Pakistan was on the back foot. But lost chances in the field most notably Sharafu’s drop of Fakhar off long-on let Pakistan turn the game around fully. The last two overs alone cost 42 runs, and in effect, took the game away from UAE.
Abrar Ahmed Returns with Career-Best Spell
Making his series debut, Abrar Ahmed produced a match-winning spell of 4-0-9-4 and tore through UAE’s top and middle order with his variations and flight.
Powerplay pressure: He bowled a gallant over in the Powerplay and gave away only two runs, and got rid of Muhammad Waseem.
Read More
Mid-innings impact: Coming back in the 13th over, he got rid of Asif Khan, Rahul Chopra (LBW with a googly), and Harshit Kaushik, demonstrating his command of contemporary leg-spin.
Abrar’s 4-wicket performance not only stalled UAE’s pursuit but also represented his best-ever T20 effort, attracting praise for both control and finesse.
UAE’s Unstable Chase Bids Farewell to Their Tournament
The chase for UAE never appeared convincing. Waseem began judiciously, and Sharafu, even after a late half-century, was unable to alter the complexion of the match. The team never had the sense of urgency in pacing the innings, and the scoreboard pressure soon became too much to handle.
Despite of some power-packed shots at the end, UAE collapsed well short of the 172-run mark, thereby being knocked out of the tournament. Their tournament was plagued by patchy batting and fielding lapses that were dearly paid for in crucial situations.
Key Highlights: PAK vs UAE
| Aspect | Details |
| Match Result | Pakistan won by 31 runs |
| Top Performers (Batting) | Fakhar Zaman – 50+ runs, Mohammad Nawaz – late fireworks |
| Top Performers (Bowling) | Abrar Ahmed – 4/9 in 4 overs |
| Dropped Chances | Fakhar and Nawaz both fell in same over (16th) |
| Turning Point | Last 5 overs produced 74 runs for Pakistan |
| UAE Eliminated | Pakistan & Afghanistan into final |
What’s Next in the Tournament?
With this PAK vs UAE outcome, Pakistan and Afghanistan have now formally qualified for the final, on Sunday. The UAE, though with flashes of promise, exit the tournament after not being able to capitalise on vital moments into wins.
ALSO READ: UAE Squad For Asia Cup 2025 Announced
