ASIA CUP 2025
Shaheen picked up two wickets after scoring a crucial unbeaten 29. © Asian Cricket Council
An allround effort from Shaheen Afridi and a complete bowling performance from Pakistan sent them through to the Super Four stages of the 2025 Asia Cup. Shaheen starred with the bat at a critical stage during the Pakistan innings to propel them to a fighting score before picking a couple of wickets with the ball as UAE crumbled in the second half of the game.
Where was the game won?
It was at the death!! Both teams were in a similar predicament at the end of 15 overs. However, Pakistan found some lusty blows with the bat especially from Shaheen Afridi that made the difference as his cameo pushed the score beyond the 140-run mark whereas UAE surrendered in meek fashion in their chase.
Parameters Pakistan UAE Score 53/4 17/5 Run rate 10.6 6.39 4s/6s 6/2 1/1
Pakistan
Powerplay – Pakistan stutter
Phase score – 39/2 [RR: 6.5, 4s/6s: 2/2]
When the match did finally get underway, Pakistan found themselves in deep trouble, losing both their openers halfway through the powerplay. Saim Ayub departed for his third successive duck and Junaid Siddque also ended Sahibzada Farhan’s nightmarish start in his next over to reduce Pakistan to 9/2. They were 17/2 after four overs after which Fakhar Zaman broke the shackles with successive sixes to finally drag that run rate past six. Salman Agha then rounded off the powerplay with a boundary as Pakistan aimed to resurrect their innings.
Middle overs – UAE continue stranglehold
Phase score – 54/3 [RR: 6, 4s/6s: 2/1]
The UAE spinners carried forward the good start and kept things tight and once again the onus was on Fakhar to release the pressure as he took on Haider Ali for back-to-back fours. But with the dot balls mounting, Salman Agha finally caved in as he mistimed one to get caught and depart for a 27-ball 20. Fakhar appeared to be batting on a different surface though as he cleared the ropes once again before bringing up a crucial 35-ball fifty. But his dismissal immediately in the next over pegged Pakistan big time. Simarjeet Singh made it two in the over as he also managed to trap Hasan Nawaz leg-before-wicket. At 93/5 after 15 overs, Pakistan certainly needed something special to put up a fighting total.
Death overs – Shaheen steps up
Phase score – 53/4 [RR: 10.6, 4s/6s: 6/2]
Simarjeet struck again in his final over, leaving Pakistan six down but Mohammad Haris finding the boundary twice gave Pakistan some hope especially with Mohammad Nawaz giving him company. But all those hopes were sinking real quick when Siddique came back for his final spell and removed both the batters. With the innings heading towards a poor finish, it was Shaheen Afridi who gave his side a much needed boost. After finding the boundary on a couple of occasions in the penultimate over, Shaheen targeted the final over for two massive sixes and a four that gave his side something to work with in the second innings.
United Arab Emirates
Powerplay – UAE’s top order rattled
Phase score – 38/3 [RR: 6.33, 4s/6s: 3/1]
The chase began with a lot of promise for the home side when Alishan Sharafu crunched the very first ball off Shaheen for a boundary. Their talismanic skipper Muhammad Waseem then kickstarted the second over with a boundary before Sharafu hammered a massive six. UAE had knocked off 19 runs in the first two overs and looked pumped before Sharafu got an inside edge that saw him lose his off stump. Haris Rauf’s introduction gave some relief as 12 runs came off it but the final two overs of powerplay bowled by Abrar Ahmed and Ayub saw UAE score only three runs and more importantly lose two crucial wickets, including that of their skipper. That finish to the powerplay put the match firmly in control of Pakistan.
Middle overs – Spinners strangle UAE
Phase score – 50/2 [RR: 5.55, 4s/6s: 2/0]
The pattern was quite similar to the Pakistan innings. The spinners did all the talking in the middle overs, not allowing UAE to break free. In commendable fashion, Pakistan were able to negate the dew factor to pretty good effect as Ayub and Abrar continuously posed questions. In his attempt to break free against Haris Rauf, Dhruv Parashar mistimed one and was caught by the fielder running in from sweeper cover. UAE’s hopes rested on the big-hitting Asif Khan especially with the required run rate now touching 10. However, Abrar struck off the final ball of his spell by castling Asif with a carrom ball to hand UAE a massive blow.
Death overs – UAE cave in
Phase score – 17/5 [RR: 6.39, 4s/6s: 1/1]
UAE’s task was always going to be tougher with Asif gone for a paltry score. Rahul Chopra tried his bit by taking on Salman Agha for a huge six but then found the fielder when he tried to replicate the shot. Shaheen added to his tally when he came back on for his final spell before a couple of run outs in the 18th over eventually put UAE out of their misery.
Brief scores: Pakistan 146/9 in 20 overs (Fakhar Zaman 50, Shaheen Afridi 29*; Junaid Siddique 4/18) beat UAE 105 in 17.4 overs (Rahul Chopra 35; Abrar Ahmed 2/13, Shaheen Afridi 2/16) by 41 runs
What’s next?
The result now sends UAE crashing out of the tournament. Pakistan have now qualified for Super Four alongside India from the group. They will in fact face them next in Dubai in the second game of Super Four on Sunday (September 21).
© Cricbuzz
