Pakistan’s young guns Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz lit up Sharjah with blistering half-centuries, setting the stage for a 31-run win over the UAE in the T20I Tri-series on Saturday. The victory, Pakistan’s second on the trot after beating Afghanistan in their opener, put them in a commanding position as they continue preparations for the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE.
Electing to bat first, Pakistan were rocked early when Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman fell cheaply. But Ayub counterattacked brilliantly, smashing 69 off 38 balls with seven fours and four sixes. Partnering him, Hasan Nawaz unleashed a whirlwind 56 off just 26 deliveries, clearing the ropes six times at a strike rate of 215. Their partnership steadied the innings and propelled Pakistan past the 100-run mark in style.
MIDDLE-ORDER STUMBLE, LOWER-ORDER RESCUE
Captain Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Haris failed to make an impression, but Mohammad Nawaz (25 off 15) and Faheem Ashraf (16 off 10) injected crucial runs. Hasan Ali chipped in with a late six, helping Pakistan finish on 207 despite UAE bowlers Saghir Khan and Junaid Siddique pegging them back with three wickets apiece.
Skipper Salman admitted his team was still working on closing out innings more efficiently. “It was a perfect batting game. First 15 overs we were good, but the last five, we need to work on. Hasan Nawaz is a generational talent, but as a team we must improve our death overs,” he said.
ASIF KHAN FIGHTS LONE BATTLE
Chasing a daunting target, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem gave his side a brisk start with 33 off 18 balls, but his run-out derailed the top order. The middle order collapsed under pressure, and at 76 for five the hosts looked buried.
Enter Asif Khan. In one of the finest T20I innings for the UAE, the right-hander blasted 77 off 35 balls, decorated with six fours and six towering sixes. His fearless hitting briefly threatened to turn the match on its head as he stitched a fighting stand with Dhruv Parashar. But Hasan Ali’s return spell sealed the contest, dismissing Asif in the penultimate over and finishing with three wickets.
Mohammad Nawaz was miserly with figures of 2 for 21, complementing Hasan’s 3 for 47 as Pakistan restricted the UAE to 176/8.
RECORD-BREAKING RUN FEST
The two teams combined for 383 runs — the highest aggregate in a T20I between Pakistan and the UAE. While Pakistan’s batting depth and bowling nous carried them through, the spirited fight from the hosts, particularly Asif Khan’s fireworks, drew praise.
UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem rued the extra runs conceded. “We gave away 15-20 runs more than we should have. Asif played another brilliant knock, but we missed someone else staying with him in the middle. Still, we’ll take lessons from this performance,” he said.
WHAT’S NEXT
Pakistan, unbeaten in the tri-series, will meet Afghanistan in their third fixture on Tuesday, while UAE face Afghanistan on Monday. Sunday is a rest day in the tournament.
Brief Scores: Pakistan 207 all out in 20 overs (Saim Ayub 69, Hasan Nawaz 56, Mohammad Nawaz 25; Saghir Khan 3-44, Junaid Siddique 3-49, Haider Ali 2-32) UAE 176/8 in 20 overs (Asif Khan 77, Muhammad Waseem 33; Hasan Ali 3-47, Mohammad Nawaz 2-21) Pakistan won by 31 runs.
