Dominant Pakistan Crush UAE in Asia Cup Rising Stars

DOHA: Maaz Sadaqat produced an impressive display to guide his team to a convincing win over the UAE in the ninth match of the Asia Cup Rising Stars at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

After UAE decided to bat first, it failed to pay off. Their innings never got going and ended at 59 in 18 overs. Pakistani bowlers made good use of the new ball and created consistent pressure. The UAE was reduced to 24-4 in the Powerplay, and they could not recover. Syed Haider was the top scorer with 20 off 19 balls. 

Sufiyan Muqeem had an excellent performance of three wickets in four overs. Maaz Sadaqat and Ahmed Daniyal took two wickets each, with Arafat Minhas, Shahid Aziz, and Muhammad Shahzad taking one wicket each.

The Shaheens wasted little time with a small target of 60 in 20 overs. The win was sealed in just 5.2 overs. Only one batter, Mohammad Naeem, got out after scoring six off five balls. The side was not shaken by his early dismissal, but was calm and confident.

Maaz Sadaqat and Ghazi Gori continued the innings without any difficulty and made a fluent 54-run partnership for the second wicket, finishing the chase comfortably. Maaz struck clean shots where he was unbeaten 37 off 15 deliveries and four boundaries, and three sixes. Ghazi, who had been promoted in the batting order of this game, made 16 out of 12 balls, and he hit three clean fours to help the run chase.

For the UAE, fast bowler Muhammad Rohid took the only wicket of the team.

This impressive win allowed Pakistan Shaheens to reach the semi-finals. The first semi-final will be played on Friday, 21 November.