India-Pakistan clash again? Salman Agha's team set up another clash after beating UAE in Asia Cup

Pakistan defeated UAE by 41 runs to secure a spot in the Asia Cup Super Fours, setting up another clash with India.

The match started an hour late as Pakistan threatened a pull-out after the handshake fiasco during the previous game against India before Salman Agha's team climbed down and showed up for the game.

It was Shaheen Shah Afridi, who first blasted an unbeaten 29 off 14 balls to prop up what still otherwise looked a modest total of 146 for 9.


Once again, Pakistan's top-order, save senior-pro Fakhar Zaman (50 off 36 balls), failed and it was Mohammed Haris (18) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (29 no off 14 balls), whose use of the long-handle to good effect got them to a fighting score.

At the start, Junaid dismissed Saim Ayub for his second successive duck while Sahibzada Farhan's (5) pick-up shot went all awry.

In the middle overs, the ball was stopping and coming on to the batters as Simranjeet's deliveries gripped and bounced. One such delivery got rid of Fakhar as he tried to check the drive.

Mohammed Nawaz was out to an arm ball as Simranjeet celebrated with a 'Siddhu Moosewala' thigh slap.

However, towards the end, it was Shaheen who hit some telling blows as the total reached closer to 150 which later proved unsurmountable for UAE.

Pakistan posted 146 for 9 in their 20 overs after being asked to bat first, largely thanks to Fakhar Zaman’s counterattacking 50 off 36 balls and a late surge from Shaheen Shah Afridi. Afridi remained unbeaten on 29 from 14 deliveries, striking two sixes to rescue Pakistan from a potential collapse.

UAE’s bowlers largely controlled the innings, with Junaid Siddique claiming 4 for 18 and Simranjeet Singh Kang picking up 3 for 18, keeping Pakistan to a chaseable total. Pakistan’s top order struggled again, with Saim Ayub dismissed for his third consecutive duck of the tournament and Abdullah Shafique also falling cheaply.

UAE captain Muhammad Waseem won the toss and opted to bowl against Pakistan in the group stage match of the Asia Cup.