Pakistan booked their place in the tournament final after registering a convincing 31-run victory over the United Arab Emirates, a result that also confirmed Afghanistan’s qualification for the title clash. The UAE, despite flashes of promise, were undone by poor fielding and a lack of control during crucial passages of play, eventually folding to 140 for 7 in pursuit of 172.
The win was built on two standout performances: a blistering, unbeaten 77 from Fakhar Zaman and a career-best bowling display from legspinner Abrar Ahmed, who returned figures of 4 for 9. Together, they ensured Pakistan overcame early wobbles with the bat and later shut the door firmly on the hosts’ chances of a chase.
Early Struggles for Pakistan
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan found themselves in immediate trouble. Sahibzada Farhan, who had been showing intent in previous games without managing to convert starts, once again fell cheaply. His dismissal, caught at the short onside boundary, was quickly followed by the wicket of Saim Ayub.
The UAE’s bowlers, particularly in the overs following the powerplay, applied steady pressure. By the halfway stage, Pakistan were pegged back, and when Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz also departed, the scoreboard read a shaky 80 for 5. At that point, Pakistan were in danger of being bowled out for a below-par total.
However, the UAE’s discipline with the ball was undermined by an error-prone performance in the field. Dropped chances proved costly, and none more so than those in the 16th over bowled by left-arm spinner Haider Ali. He had already delivered three superb overs, conceding just six runs while bagging two wickets, but in his final over he watched on in disbelief as both Nawaz and Fakhar were reprieved off straightforward chances.
Pakistan’s Late Surge
Those drops came back to haunt the hosts almost immediately. From the end of the 16th over onwards, Pakistan’s innings transformed. Fakhar, who had been playing within himself up to that point, cut loose in spectacular fashion. A six over long-off against Junaid Siddique set the tone for what followed: relentless hitting that ripped apart UAE’s death bowling.
Mohammad Nawaz, who had struggled to find rhythm earlier, joined the assault in the penultimate over. He hammered Siddique for two boundaries and two maximums in the space of four balls, sending the run rate soaring. Fakhar then capped the innings with a breathtaking sequence of five consecutive boundaries in the final over, ensuring Pakistan plundered 74 runs in the last five overs.
From a precarious 108 for 5, they surged to 171 for 5, a total that suddenly looked far beyond the UAE’s reach. Fakhar finished unbeaten on 77 from 42 deliveries, while Nawaz ended with a valuable 37 not out.
UAE’s Faltering Reply
The chase required a strong start, but the UAE’s top order never looked settled. Captain Muhammad Waseem, usually aggressive, was unusually subdued, and opening partner Alishan Sharafu found it difficult to accelerate in the early stages. The asking rate climbed steadily as Pakistan’s bowlers maintained discipline.
Abrar Ahmed entered the attack in the powerplay with an offside-heavy field and immediately applied pressure. His clever variations proved too much for Waseem, who sliced one to point to give Pakistan their first breakthrough. Returning later in the innings, Abrar produced a masterclass in legspin.
He tempted Asif Khan into a lofted shot that was brilliantly held by Shaheen Afridi after a near collision with Nawaz. Two balls later, Rahul Chopra fell lbw to a deceptive googly, though replays suggested a hint of fortune in the decision. Abrar wasn’t done, claiming Harshit Kaushik to finish with extraordinary figures of 4 for 9 in his four overs — the best of his T20 career.
Although Sharafu attempted a late revival with an enterprising half-century, his effort came far too late to alter the outcome. UAE’s innings closed on 140 for 7, well short of their target.
Fielding Errors Prove Costly
While the bowlers did their part for long stretches, it was the fielding that let UAE down. Two dropped catches in the same over against Pakistan’s eventual match-winners changed the complexion of the game. Until then, UAE had the upper hand, but once Fakhar and Nawaz were allowed to escape, the momentum shifted dramatically. The final overs became a nightmare for the hosts, and the psychological impact carried over into their batting effort.
Looking Ahead
The defeat knocked the UAE out of the competition, a disappointing end for the hosts who had shown flashes of competitiveness throughout the series. For Pakistan, though, the win provided reassurance that even under pressure, their middle order could find match-winning contributions. Fakhar’s return to form and Abrar’s outstanding spell were timely reminders of the depth within the squad.
With this victory, Pakistan will now join Afghanistan in the final, promising a high-stakes clash between two in-form teams on Sunday.
