Tag: UAE

DUBAI: India cruised to a nine-wicket victory over UAE in an emphatic fashion in the second match of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

India chased down a mere 58-run target in just 4.3 overs, losing only one wicket in the process. Notably, the victory margin of 94 balls remaining was the largest for the Men in Blue in T20Is.

Abhishek Sharma started the innings with a six and continued on his merry way as India raced towards the target.

Sharma eventually departed after making 30 off  16 balls, striking three sixes and two fours.

On the contrary, Shubman Gill scored 20* off nine and Suryakumar Yadav remained unbeaten on seven from two balls.

Kuldeep Yadav, who took 4 wickets for just seven runs in his 2.1 overs, was named as the player of the match.

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Earlier, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav bamboozled UAE with a four-wicket haul.

India capitalized on the decision to bowl first as they bundled out UAE for 57 in only 13.1 overs.

UAE openers started positively, particularly Alishan Sharafu, who top-scored with 22 off 17 balls with the aid of three fours and a six. However, once he was removed, India took complete control of the match with spinners bowling from both ends.

India’s bowlers did not allow the UAE batters to free their arms and kept striking at regular intervals.

For India, Kuldeep Yadav was the standout bowler, taking a four-wicket haul, including three wickets in an over. Shivam Dube provided him ample support with three wickets in his two overs.

Playing XIs

India XI: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

UAE XI: Muhammad Zohaib, Muhammad Waseem (capt), Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra (wk), Dhruv Parashar, Harshit Kaushik, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid, Junaid Siddique, Simranjeet Singh

SHARJAH: Afghanistan stand-in captain Ibrahim Zadran has expressed his confidence ahead of the UAE T20 tri-series final against Pakistan, set to be played on September 7 at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Afghanistan edged UAE by four runs in a last-ball thriller on Friday in the last league fixture of the T20I tri-series.

The game eventually went down to the wire with the UAE requiring 17 off the final over. However, Fareed Ahmad held his nerve under pressure and sealed a win for Afghanistan.

Fareed went for a four and six off the first two balls and a double on the third to leave the equation with UAE  requiring five off three balls. Yet, Fareed came back with two excellent yorkers and eventually got rid of Asif Khan on the last ball.

In batting, Ibrahim Zadran starred with 48 off 35 balls, earning him the player of the match award.

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Speaking during the post-match presentation, Ibrahim, who was captaining in place of regular skipper Rashid Khan, highlighted the playing XI and hailed the bowlers for securing a narrow win.

“It was a good win to finish the group stage. We wanted to give a chance to the guys who didn’t get one in the previous game. UAE were playing well and looked like they might win, but credit to our bowlers for [pulling it back],” he said.

He emphasized conditions and expressed confidence ahead of their final showdown against Pakistan on Sunday.

“When you look at the conditions, you have to take responsibility and back your skills. I just go out there, enjoy myself, and give my 100 percent. Thankfully, I got the result today.

“It’s been a good series. Now we’re set to play Pakistan. We’ll prepare for the Asia Cup and go in with high energy and intensity,” he concluded.

READ: Asif’s heroics in vain as Afghanistan clinch last-ball thriller against UAE

SHARJAH: Asif Khan’s 40 off 28 went in vain as Fareed Ahmad held his nerve in the last over to seal a four-run victory for Afghanistan over UAE in the T20I tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Set 171, UAE fell short of the target, scoring 166-5 in their 20 overs.

UAE started briskly in the chase with openers putting on a 65-run stand in seven overs. Muhammad Waseem, who made 44 off 29, remained the core aggressor while Alishan Sharafu played the second fiddle.

Noor Ahmed provided Afghanistan the much-needed breakthrough as the stand culminated with Sharafu’s wicket, who departed after making 27 off 23 balls.

UAE continued to bat steadily until Waseem’s wicket in the 10th over, which opened the door for Afghanistan. After his wicket, the visitors continued to strike at regular intervals.

With UAE 113-4 in 14.3 overs, Asif Khan paired up with Harshit Kaushik to give their team a glimmer of hope. The duo added 53 runs for the sixth wicket, eventually UAE requiring 17 off the last over.

However, Fareed Ahmad, who bowled the last over, held his nerve under pressure after going for a four and six off the first two balls. Asif sliced the third ball off over to leave the equation five required from three deliveries.

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Fareed came back with two great yorkers and eventually got rid of Asif Khan on the last ball to seal a thrilling win for his team.

Asif Khan hit two maximums and four boundaries on his way to 40 from 28 balls.

For Afghanistan, it was an all-round bowling effort with Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Abdollah Ahmadzai picking up one wicket each. However, Sharafuddin Ashraf stood out, conceding just 20 runs in four overs and picking up a wicket.

Earlier, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran’s strong opening partnership propelled Afghanistan to a strong total.

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan amassed 170-4 in their allocated 20 overs.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran paired up to put on a 98-run stand in 11 overs. Both batters batted cautiously, particularly the former, picking up some form after having a lean run in the opening three matches.

However, UAE made a comeback with wickets on successive balls to send back both the openers. Gurbaz was the first to go after making 40 off 38 balls with the help of three fours and a six.

Ibrahim Zadran was castled by Haider Ali on the first ball of the 12th over, to halt Afghanistan’s progress.

The stand-in captain continued his good form with 48 off 35 balls, an innings which featured three sixes and fours.

Despite, UAE taking wickets at regular intervals in the latter half of the innings, Afghanistan managed to post a strong score.

For UAE, Haider Ali remained the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets in his four overs and only giving away 22 runs.

READ: Shaheen Afridi picks THIS batter over Virat Kohli as the toughest he’s bowled to

SHARJAH: Afghanistan have won the toss and opted to bat first against UAE in the sixth fixture of the T20I tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Playing XIs

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (c), Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Abdullah Ahmadzai

UAE: Muhammad Waseem (c), Muhammad Zohaib, Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra (wk), Harshit Kaushik, Haider Ali, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Rohid, Junaid Siddique, Simranjeet Singh

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Both teams have faced each other 13 times in T20Is. Afghanistan leads with 10 victories, while the UAE have managed to win only three games.

Matches 13, UAE 3, Afghanistan 10

The ongoing tri-series serves as a launching pad for the teams to prepare for and acclimatise to the conditions ahead of the eight-team ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in the UAE from 9 to 28 September.

READ: Abrar Ahmed enters elite list with career-best T20I spell

SHARJAH: Pakistan’s mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed etched his name into the record books with a sensational spell against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the T20I tri-series on Thursday.

Featuring in his first match of the series, the 26-year-old made an instant impact, returning remarkable figures of 4 for 9 in four overs – the fourth-best figures recorded by a Pakistan spinner in T20Is.

Abrar struck in his second over by removing UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem (19), before tightening the screws in his third over with back-to-back scalps of Asif Khan (7) and Rahul Chopra, who fell for a two-ball duck.

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He then rounded off a memorable outing by dismissing Harshit Kaushik (3) with the final ball of his spell.

With this performance, Abrar joins an elite list of Pakistan spinners in T20 internationals.

Sufiyan Muqeem holds the top spot with 5 for 3 against Zimbabwe in 2024, followed by Imad Wasim’s 5 for 14 against West Indies in 2016, and Shadab Khan’s 4 for 8 against Hong Kong in 2022.

Best bowling figures by a Pakistan spinner in T20Is:

• Sufiyan Muqeem: 5/3 against Zimbabwe in 2024

• Imad Wasim: 5/14 against West Indies in 2016

• Shadab Khan: 4/8 against Hong Kong in 2022

• Abrar Ahmed: 4/9 against UAE in 2025

Speaking after being named Player of the Match, Abrar revealed he had studied the conditions and opposition closely before stepping onto the field.

“I was watching the earlier matches and looking at the pitch conditions, so I bowled accordingly. This time I also sat with Talha bhai to analyse each batter, especially Waseem bhai,” Abrar said.

“There’s always a bit of extra pressure, but the captain trusts me to be ready at any stage, and that belief gives me confidence,” he added.

Pakistan, having won three out of their four group-stage matches, have booked a place in the tri-series final where they will face Afghanistan on Sunday, September 7, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

READ: Messi hits emotional brace in his farewell home game

SHARJAH: Pakistan’s mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed opened up after winning the player of the match award for his impressive bowling performance against the UAE in the fifth fixture of the tri-series here at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Pakistan defeated UAE in the fifth fixture of the T20I tri-series, sealing a final berth here on Thursday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

In pursuit of a 172-run target, UAE fell short by 31 runs and could only muster 140-7 in their 20 overs.

For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed starred with the ball, taking four wickets in his four-over spell and giving away just nine runs.

The right-arm leg break bowler took crucial wickets of Muhammad Waseem, Asif Khan, Rahul Chopra, and Harshit Kaushik to put Pakistan on top.

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Sharing his thoughts after the match, Abrar Ahmed said that he examined the conditions while watching the earlier matches.

“I was watching the earlier matches and looking at the pitch conditions, so I bowled accordingly.  I hadn’t analysed the batters much before but this time I sat down with Talha and observed each batter especially Waseem bhai,” he remarked.

Abrar emphasized pitch conditions, noting that Salman Ali Agha expressed confidence in him to deliver.

“I try to bowl based on the pitch. Yes, there is a bit of extra pressure, but the captain told me to be ready at any stage. He has a lot of belief in me, so I’m always ready to step in,” said Abrar Ahmed.

For context, Pakistan defeated Afghanistan and UAE twice to reach the tri-series final. The Men in Green will now face Afghanistan on Sunday, September 7 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

READ: Salman Ali Agha hails ‘match-winner’ Fakhar, Abrar after victory over UAE

SHARJAH: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha reflected on the team’s performance after a 31-run victory over UAE, lauding Fakhar Zaman and Abrar Ahmed as match-winners for their vital contribution.

Pakistan defeated UAE in the fifth fixture of the T20I tri-series, sealing a final berth here on Thursday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

In pursuit of a 172-run target, UAE fell short by 31 runs and could only muster 140-7 in their 20 overs.

For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed starred with the ball, taking four wickets in his four-over spell and giving away just nine runs.

In batting, Fakhar Zaman top scored with 77* off 44 balls, an innings featuring two sixes and 10 fours.

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He stitched a vital 91* run partnership with Mohammad Nawaz after early jitters to power Pakistan to a strong total.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Salman Ali Agha highlighted key aspects of the game.

“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-winner–he doesn’t always get the respect he deserves, but he showed his class today. Nawaz has been doing well since his comeback,” he said.

“I think today the ball gripped and turned the most. It was difficult to adjust. Credit goes to Fakhar and Nawaz; they gave us those extra 20 runs,” he added.

He praised bowlers, hailing Abrar Ahmed for his outstanding contribution, stating that he was sure that the 170-run target was enough.

“We knew if we got to 170, we could defend it. Abrar is a match-winner. And the way Shaheen is bowling is outstanding.

Everyone chipped in, but the pick of the bowlers has to be Abrar. We just come to the ground, assess the conditions, and use our bowlers accordingly. Bowling is always going to depend on the pitch. As for the batting, it’s settled,” he concluded.

READ: Fakhar, Abrar star as Pakistan seals tri-series final berth

SHARJAH: Fakhar Zaman’s unbeaten knock, followed by Abrar Ahmed’s outstanding spell, powered Pakistan into the final of the T20I tri-series here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

In pursuit of a 172-run target, UAE fell short by 31 runs and could only muster 140-7 in their 20 overs.

UAE were off to a steady start with a 41-run partnership, but not until Abrar Ahmed removed Muhammad Waseem on the first ball of the seventh over. He was caught after scoring a run, a ball 19 with the aid of a boundary and a six.

Despite the wicket, UAE batted steadily, reaching the 70-run mark in the 10 overs. However, Ethan D’Souza’s wicket gave Pakistan an opening. D’Souza made nine from 14 balls.

Meanwhile, Alishan Sharafu, playing his first game, continued to bat sensibly with wickets falling around him. In the 13th over, Abrar Ahmed struck twice, first removing dangerous Asif Khan (7) and then Rahul Chopra (0) to put Pakistan on top.

UAE continued to lose wickets amid a creeping required run rate, with Sharafu playing a lone hand. He eventually departed after making 68 from 51 balls, striking four boundaries and four maximums.

As a result, UAE fell short of the target by a similar number of runs —31 in their first fixture of the tri-series against Pakistan.

For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed starred with the ball, picking up four wickets for just nine runs in his quota of four overs. Mohammad Nawaz and Shaheen Afridi supported him well with one wicket each.

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Earlier, Fakhar Zaman’s composed half-century and Mohammad Nawaz’s cameo took Pakistan to a strong total against UAE.

After opting to bat, Pakistan chalked up 171-5 in their allocated 20 overs.

After racking up 28 runs in only 2.4 overs, Sahibzada Farhan was caught at mid-wicket — a similar pattern of his dismissal to the previous two matches. The right-hander struck a six before getting out after scoring 16 off 11 balls.

Two overs later, Saim Ayub was caught behind in an attempt to play a cover drive. Ayub made 11 off 10 with the help of a six. As a result, Pakistan was reduced to 35-2.

The situation worsened for Pakistan with Salman Ali Agha’s (7) departure on the stroke of the powerplay. Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman remained firm at one end with wickets tumbling.

In came promoted Mohammad Haris, who put on a brief stand of 24 runs with Zaman before getting trapped lbw, which left Pakistan reeling on 74-4 at the halfway mark of the innings.

Haris hit a four and a six in his sluggish knock off 14 from 17 balls.

At one stage, the 150-run mark looked ominous for Pakistan; yet the visitors crossed it due to UAE’s sloppy fielding, which gave Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz second chances.

The duo’s unbeaten 91* run partnership, with 42 runs coming off the last two overs, took Pakistan to a strong total.

For UAE, Haider Ali remained the pick of the bowlers, picking up two wickets in his four overs while giving away just 17 runs.

READ: Tanvir Ahmed questions Rizwan’s exclusion amid Haris’ struggles

SHARJAH: Pakistan beat the UAE by 31 runs to reach the tri-series final here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

UAE 140/7 (20 Overs)

19.6: Pakistan wins by 31 runs. A margin similar to their win against UAE in their first fixture

19.3: Ali is run out as Pakistan nears victory

Haider Ali 12 (9b 1×4 0x6) SR: 133.33

Faheem Ashraf to bowl his first and last over of the innings

UAE 129/6 (19 Overs)

Shaheen to continue

UAE 119/6 (18 Overs)

Salman Mirza returns

UAE 113/6 (17 Overs)

16.6: Shaheen removes well-set Sharafu

Alishan Sharafu  68 (51b 4×4 4×6) SR: 133.33

Shaheen comes back

UAE 102/5 (15 Overs)

14.6: Abrar Ahmed gets Kaushik. End of a great spell. Four overs, four wickets, and just nine runs.

Harshit Kaushik  3 (5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 60

Abrar to bowl his final over

UAE 98/4 (14 Overs)

Saim continues

UAE 84/4 (13 Overs)

12.5: Abrar is on a roll here. Another one bites the dust

Rahul Chopra 0 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0

12.3: Asif is caught. Big wicket for Pakistan

Asif Khan 7 (5b 0x4 1×6) SR: 140

Abrar returns

UAE 83/2 (12 Overs)

Saim continues

UAE 72/2 (11 Overs)

10.6: Nawaz with a breakthrough for Pakistan.

Ethan D’Souza  9 (14b 0x4 0x6) SR: 64.28

UAE 54/1 (10 Overs)

Saim Ayub returns

UAE 54/1 (9 Overs)

Nawaz comes back to bowl

UAE 49/1 (8 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha comes to bowl

UAE 44/1 (7 Overs)

6.1: Big wicket for Pakistan as captain Waseem is caught

Muhammad Waseem 19 (19b 1×4 1×6) SR: 100

Abrar to continue

UAE 41/0 (6 Overs)

Mohammad Nawaz comes to bowl

UAE 30/0 (5 Overs)

It’s time for some mystery as Abrar Ahmed is introduced into the attack

UAE 28/0 (4 Overs)

Salman Mirza continues

UAE `17/0 (3 Overs)

Shaheen continues

UAE `12/0 (2 Overs)

Salman Mirza to bowl from the other end

UAE 6/0 (1 Over)

New opening pair as Alishan Sharafu and Muhammad Waseem to open the innings for UAE. Shaheen Afridi with the new ball for Pakistan.

PAKISTAN vs UAE (2nd INNINGS)

Fakhar Zaman’s composed half-century and Mohammad Nawaz’s cameo took Pakistan to a strong total against UAE.

PAK 171/5 (20 Overs)

Jawadullah to bowl the final over

PAK 149/5 (19 Overs)

Junaid to continue

PAK 129/5 (18 Overs)

Muhammad Jawadullah to bowl the 18th over

PAK 118/5 (17 Overs)

Junaid comes back

PAK 108/5 (16 Overs)

Haider Ali continues

PAK 97/5 (15 Overs)

Ethan D’Souza comes to bowl

PAK 92/5 (14 Overs)

Haider Ali to bowl his third over

PAK 89/5 (13 Overs)

Parashar continues

PAK 81/5 (12 Overs)

11.3: Big wicket. Hasan Nawaz is caught behind

Hasan Nawaz 4 (6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66

Haider to continue

PAK 78/4 (11 Overs)

Prashar to continue

PAK 74/4 (10 Overs)

9.6: Haris tries to sweep, and there is a loud appeal. Gone. The right-hander’s poor run continues

Mohammad Haris 14 (17b 1×4 1×6) SR: 82.35

Haider Ali into the attack

PAK 73/3 (9 Overs)

Prashar comes back

PAK 66/3 (8 Overs)

Rohid to bowl his last over

PAK 57/3 (7 Overs)

Muhammad Jawadullah to bowl his first over of the night.

PAK 50/3 (6 Overs)

5.4: Pakistan is in dire straits as Rohid snares Salman Ali Agha

Rohid to continue

Salman Agha  7 (5b 1×4 0x6) SR: 140

PAK 45/2 (5 Overs)

4.1: Saim tries to play an expensive drive and is caught behind. Early trouble for Pakistan as both of their openers are back in the dugout.

Junaid Siddique comes back

PAK 35/1 (4 Overs)

Rohid continues

PAK 29/1 (3 Overs)

2.5: Sahibzada Farhan perishes again in a similar fashion. Hits the ball for six, and on the next ball, it’s gone.

Sahibzada Farhan 16 (11b 2×4 1×6) SR: 145.45

Early change in the bowling. Dhruv Parashar comes to bowl.

PAK 13/1 (2 Overs)

Muhammad Rohid to share the new ball

PAK 12/1 (1 Over)

Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan come out to bat for Pakistan. Junaid Siddique takes the new ball for UAE

PAKISTAN vs UAE (1st INNINGS)

SHARJAH: Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bat first against the UAE in the fifth match of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed

UAE: Muhammad Waseem (c), Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra (wk), Ethan D’Souza, Harshit Kaushik, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammed Jawadullah, Muhammad Rohid, Junaid Siddique

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Both teams have faced each other twice in the T20I format, with the Green Shirts emerging victorious on both occasions, with the last win coming in the ongoing tri-series by 31 runs.

Matches 2, Pakistan 2, UAE  0

READ: Tri-series: Pakistan win toss, bat first against UAE

SHARJAH: Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bat first against the UAE in the fifth match of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed

UAE: Muhammad Waseem (c), Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra (wk), Ethan D’Souza, Harshit Kaushik, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammed Jawadullah, Muhammad Rohid, Junaid Siddique

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Pakistan and the UAE have faced each other twice in the T20I format. Pakistan emerged victorious on both occasions, with the last win coming in the ongoing tri-series by 31 runs.

Matches 2, Pakistan 2, UAE  0

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