Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan beat UAE to set up India clash in Super Four
Afridi stars with bat and ball in must-win Dubai clash
DUBAI – Pakistan booked their place in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four with a crucial victory over the United Arab Emirates at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday night.
The two-time champions overcame a shaky start to post 146 for 9 before bowling out the hosts for 105 in 17.4 overs.
Pakistan pick up a tremendous win and make it to the next stage! ✌️
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 17, 2025
The ???????? bowlers put up a terrific fight to hold back the opposition & power through to victory!#PAKvUAE #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #ACC pic.twitter.com/KZHBRrxIgH
The win means Pakistan will meet arch-rivals India once again, this time in the Super Four stage on Sunday, setting the stage for another packed house at Dubai. India had already sealed qualification from Group A with two wins, while Oman exited without a point.
Pakistan’s innings
Put in to bat, Pakistan stumbled early as Junaid Siddique dismissed both openers cheaply – Sahibzada Farhan for 5 and Saim Ayub for a duck. With the visitors wobbling, Fakhar Zaman counterattacked, smashing 50 off 36 deliveries in an innings that included three fours and two sixes. His 61-run stand with skipper Salman Agha (20) steadied the innings.
The middle order could not capitalise, but Shaheen Shah Afridi provided fireworks at the end with a blistering 29 off 14 balls, featuring three fours and two sixes. Pakistan closed on 146 for 9, a total boosted by Afridi’s late cameo.
For the UAE, Siddique was outstanding with 4 for 22, while Simranjeet Singh added 3 for 31 to keep Pakistan in check.
UAE’s reply
The chase faltered from the outset as Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf struck early blows. At 26 for 3, the hosts looked in deep trouble before Rahul Chopra (35) and Dhruv Parashar (20) offered resistance with a 44-run partnership. Their dismissal, however, triggered a collapse.
Pakistan’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Afridi, Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed taking two wickets each, ending UAE’s innings at 105. The result ensured Pakistan progressed on net run rate alongside India from Group A.
Referee row
The fixture was delayed by an hour following Pakistan’s protest against match referee Andy Pycroft. The team had initially refused to leave their hotel, demanding his replacement over the no-handshake directive issued before the India match on 14 September.
Emergency consultations between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, COO Salman Naseer, and senior officials followed, with players ordered to remain in their rooms until a resolution was reached.
ائی سی سی کے میچ ریفری اینڈی پائی کرافٹ نے پاکستانی کرکٹ ٹیم کے مینجر اور ٹیم کے کپتان سے معذرت کر لی۔
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) September 17, 2025
اینڈی پائی کرافٹ نے انڈیا پاکستان کے میچ میں دونوں ٹیموں کے کپتانوں کو مصافحہ کرنے سے منع کیا تھا۔
پاکستان کرکٹ بورڈ نے اینڈی پائی کرافٹ کے اس عمل پر سخت رد عمل کا اظہار… pic.twitter.com/vyvUBsoSL6
Pycroft later met Pakistan’s captain and team manager, apologising and describing the incident as a “miscommunication.” He acknowledged preventing the toss handshake and barring its recording during the India game. The ICC has since agreed to investigate whether its Code of Conduct was breached.
Despite the storm, Pycroft remained in charge in Dubai, and play eventually began at 7:30pm Gulf Standard Time.
Pakistan vs India
The victory sets up a blockbuster Pakistan–India clash in Dubai on Sunday, renewing one of world cricket’s most watched rivalries.
UAE’s spirited campaign ends with one win and two defeats, but their performances, especially from captain Muhammad Waseem, Asif Khan, and Rahul Chopra, provided memorable moments for home fans.