Sharjah, August 31, 2025: Pakistan made it two wins in two matches at the ongoing T20I tri-nation series, defeating hosts UAE by 31 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday despite a blistering half-century from Asif Khan.
Chasing a daunting 208-run target, UAE finished at 176-8 after a promising start. Skipper Muhammad Waseem led from the front with a quickfire 33 off 18 balls, but a mix-up with partner Muhammad Zohaib cost him his wicket at a crucial stage. Zohaib himself departed early for 13, while Ethan D’Souza and Alishan Sharafu fell cheaply as Pakistan’s bowlers tightened their grip.
The hosts slipped to 68-4 inside nine overs, and though Asif Khan launched a spirited counterattack, smashing 77 off just 35 balls with six sixes and as many fours, wickets kept tumbling at the other end. His 54-run stand with Dhruv Parashar briefly raised hopes, but once Salman Mirza broke the partnership, the chase unraveled. Hasan Ali removed both Asif and Saghir Khan in the final over to seal the win, finishing with 3-47, while Mohammad Nawaz impressed with 2-21.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 207 all out in 19.5 overs after being asked to bat first. Saim Ayub starred with a dazzling 69 off 38 balls, blasting seven fours and four sixes, while Hasan Nawaz hammered 56 off 26 deliveries, including three consecutive sixes in one over. The pair provided the middle-order impetus after a shaky start, with Pakistan slipping to 38-2 inside four overs.
Despite late wickets — courtesy of Saghir Khan’s impressive 3-33 and Junaid Siddique’s double strike — Pakistan’s aggressive batting ensured a formidable total that proved too steep for the UAE.
With the victory, Pakistan tightened their grip on the tri-series, showcasing both batting firepower and bowling depth, while UAE were left ruing missed opportunities despite Asif Khan’s lone resistance.
