Fakhar Zaman’s 50 Keeps Pakistan in the Game as UAE’s Bowlers Shine in Asia Cup 2025

Dubai witnessed a tense opening innings as Pakistan managed 146/9 in their 20 overs against the United Arab Emirates in a crucial Group A clash of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. After the UAE elected to field, Pakistan’s top order faced immediate pressure, losing Saim Ayub for a duck and Sahibzada Farhan cheaply, leaving the team at 9/2 early in the innings.

Captain Salman Agha and Fakhar Zaman tried to steady the ship, with Fakhar combining patience and aggression. He smashed 50 off 36 balls, including 2 fours and 3 sixes, forming the backbone of Pakistan’s innings. Agha came in with 20 and was dismissed, and Mohammad Haris added a swift 18 to keep the scoreboard going.

The late charge came from Shaheen Shah Afridi, who smashed 29 runs off 14 balls when he hit 3 fours and 2 sixes and helped Pakistan reach 146/9 with a run rate of 7.30 per over. The extras added 13 runs, and this indicates how much pressure the UAE bowlers were under.

The bowling of the UAE was spectacular, and Junaid Siddique and Simranjeet Singh finished with 4/18 and 3/26, with Pakistan kept in check throughout. Scoring was further limited by tight spells by Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, and Muhammad Rohid.

Pakistan has now set a challenging target of 147, and will look to chase it in an exciting second innings as both teams battle for Group A supremacy.

Pakistan Batting Card

Batter	R	B	4s	6s	SR
Sahibzada Farhan	5	12	0	0	41.66
Saim Ayub	0	2	0	0	0.00
Fakhar Zaman	50	36	2	3	138.88
Salman Agha (c)	20	27	2	0	74.07
Hasan Nawaz	3	4	0	0	75.00
Khushdil Shah	4	6	0	0	66.66
Mohammad Haris †	18	14	3	0	128.57
Mohammad Nawaz	4	5	0	0	80.00
Shaheen Shah Afridi	29	14	3	2	207.14
Haris Rauf	0	1	0	0	0.00
Extras	13
Total (20 Ov)	146/9				7.30 RPO

 

UAE Bowling Card

Bowler	O	R	W	Econ
Junaid Siddique	4	18	4	4.50
Simranjeet Singh	4	26	3	6.50
Dhruv Parashar	4	33	1	8.25
Haider Ali	4	28	0	7.00
Muhammad Rohid	4	36	0	9.00