Pakistan beat UAE by 31 runs to reach Sharjah tri-series final

SHARJAH (Dunya News) – Pakistan sealed their place in the final of the United Arab Emirates T20I Tri-Nation Series with a 31-run victory over hosts UAE at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday night.

The result means Pakistan, with three wins from four matches, will contest the final on 7 September, while UAE remain winless.

Pakistan’s innings

Captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and chose to bat first in the decisive clash. Pakistan posted 171 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs, anchored by an unbeaten 77 from Fakhar Zaman. Despite early setbacks – Sahibzada Farhan falling for 16, Saim Ayub for 11, Salman Ali Agha for 7, Mohammad Haris for 14 and Hasan Nawaz for 4 – the innings recovered through a decisive partnership.

Fakhar Zaman, calm under pressure, struck fluently to dominate the middle overs, supported ably by Mohammad Nawaz, who remained 37 not out. The pair lifted Pakistan’s total beyond 170, giving their bowlers a strong platform to defend.

UAE’s bowlers applied pressure early, with Haider Ali claiming 2 wickets, while Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Rohid and Dhruv Parashar each picked up one apiece.

UAE’s reply

Chasing 172 for victory, UAE were unable to keep pace with the required rate against a disciplined Pakistani attack. Wickets fell at regular intervals as Pakistan’s bowlers exploited

conditions under the lights. Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed, drafted into the side for this match, played their part alongside the pace of Shaheen Shah Afridi and the control of Faheem Ashraf.

Though UAE captain Muhammad Waseem attempted to anchor the innings, the home side faltered and finished well short of their target, conceding a 31-run defeat.

Qualification sealed

The victory lifted Pakistan to six points from four matches in the round-robin stage, confirming their place in the final regardless of Afghanistan’s last league fixture. Pakistan had earlier beaten UAE by 31 runs in the opening encounter and then suffered a setback against Afghanistan before bouncing back strongly in this must-win game.

The win not only restores momentum to Pakistan but also comes as a timely boost ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, which begins in the UAE on 9 September.

Squads

Pakistan XI: Salman Ali Agha (capt), Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.

UAE XI: Muhammad Waseem (capt), Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra (wk), Ethan D’Souza, Harshit Kaushik, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Rohid, Junaid Siddique.