Fakhar Zaman struck an unbeaten half-century, his 12th T20I fifty, while Mohammad Nawaz contributed a crucial 37 not out to guide Pakistan to 171/5 in 20 overs. Abrar Ahmed then stole the show with the ball, claiming a career-best four-for as Pakistan defeated the UAE by 31 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday night, securing a place in the final.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan started briskly with 28 runs from 2.4 overs before Sahibzada Farhan fell for 16 off 11 balls. Saim Ayub (11) and skipper Salman Ali Agha (7) also fell quickly, leaving the team 50/3 after the Power-play.
Fakhar and Mohammad Haris (14) added 24 runs before Haris was trapped leg before wicket by Haider Ali, who also dismissed Hasan Nawaz (4) nine balls later.
Mohammad Nawaz then stitched an unbeaten 91-run partnership with Fakhar, lifting Pakistan to a competitive total. Fakhar top-scored with 77 off 44 balls, featuring 10 fours and two sixes.
I think we started well in the Power-play but lost too many wickets in the middle overs. Fakhar and Nawaz played outstandingly well. Fakhar is a match-winne—he doesn’t always get the respect he deserves, but he showed his class today. Nawaz has been doing well since his comeback. Credit goes to Fakhar and Nawaz; they gave us those extra 20 runs.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said
Abrar Spins UAE Out
Chasing 172, UAE got off to a promising start, scoring 41 without loss in the first six overs. The momentum shifted when mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed removed skipper Muhammad Waseem, and Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Ethan D’Souza in the 11th over, leaving UAE 72/2.
Abrar then dismantled the UAE middle order with a devastating 13th over, removing Asif Khan (7) and Rahul Chopra (0), and finished his spell by dismissing Harshit Kaushik on the final delivery. He ended with T20I career-best figures of 4-0-9-4, earning him the Player of the Match award.
I observed the pitch conditions and studied the batters before bowling. The captain has a lot of belief in me, so I am always ready to step in.
Abrar Ahmed said
UAE’s Fight in Vain
Alishan Sharafu’s valiant 67 off 51 balls provided resistance, but Pakistan kept chipping away. Shaheen Shah Afridi removed him in the 17th over, and UAE could not build partnerships, finishing 140/7 in 20 overs.
Pakistan Set Up Final Against Afghanistan
With this win, Pakistan will face Afghanistan in the final of the Tri-Nation T20 series on Sunday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Brief Scores: Pakistan 171/5 (Fakhar Zaman 77*, Mohammad Nawaz 37*; Haider Ali 2-17, Muhammad Rohid 1-21) beat UAE 140/7 (Alishan Sharafu 67, Muhammad Waseem 19; Abrar Ahmed 4-9, Shaheen Shah Afridi 1-23) by 31 runs.