Dubai, December 16, 2025: Pakistan booked their place in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 semi-finals with a commanding 70-run victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the ICC Academy on Tuesday.
Electing to bat first, Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf led his side to a competitive 241/9 in 50 overs. The innings was anchored by Ahmed Hussain, who scored a resilient 65 off 91 balls with four boundaries, while Hamza Zahoor contributed 42 off 51 balls. Sameer Minhas (44) and Huzaifa Ahsan (23) also played important roles, helping Pakistan post a challenging total of 242.
Chasing 242, UAE struggled against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack. Ayaan Misbah provided resistance with a brisk 77 off 74 balls, featuring 12 fours, but his dismissal via run-out in the 24th over triggered a collapse. Middle-order efforts from Prithvi Madhu (27) and Muhammad Rayan (12) were insufficient, as Pakistan’s bowlers ran through the tail to secure victory.
The standout performer was Abdul Subhan, who claimed 4 wickets for 31 runs in 7.5 overs. Support came from Mohammad Sayyam, Momim Qamar, and Ahmed Hussain, who each picked up one wicket. For UAE, Yug Sharma impressed with 3/52, while Naseem Khan took two wickets.
With this win, Pakistan joins India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh in the semi-finals. The exact matchups will be determined after Wednesday’s group-stage fixture between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The victory showcased Pakistan’s balanced performance, with strong contributions from both batsmen and bowlers, reinforcing their status as strong contenders for the U19 Asia Cup 2025 title.
