Tag: UAE

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have unveiled their 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, with Muhammad Waseem continuing as captain.

Pacer Matiullah Khan and left-arm spinner Simranjeet Singh have earned recalls, while the rest of the squad remains unchanged from the ongoing T20I tri-series.

Matiullah, 32, last featured for the UAE in July’s Pearl of Africa Series against Nigeria, having played one ODI and five T20Is to date.

Simranjeet, 35, brings added experience with five ODIs and 11 T20Is under his belt, most recently appearing in the Gulf T20I Championship in December 2023.

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This will be the UAE’s first Asia Cup campaign since 2016, when they featured in the T20I edition staged in Bangladesh.

The 2025 tournament will see eight teams divided into two groups. Pakistan, India, UAE, and Oman form Group A, while Group B consists of Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.

UAE begin their campaign against India on September 10, face Oman on September 15, and close out the group stage against Pakistan on September 17.

The tournament starts on September 9 with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong in the opener.

UAE squad for Asia Cup 2025

Muhammad Waseem (captain), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma (wk), Asif Khan, Dhruv Parashar, Ethan D’Souza, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Matiullah Khan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Zohaib, Rahul Chopra (wk), Rohid Khan, Simranjeet Singh, Saghir Khan.

READ: Schedule of South Africa’s tour of Pakistan revealed: sources

SHARJAH: UAE captain Muhammad Waseem on Monday achieved a major milestone, breaking India’s ace batter Rohit Sharma’s record for most sixes as captain during his side’s tri-series fixture against Afghanistan.

Waseem, who made 67 off 37 balls, smashed six maximums and four boundaries in his powerful knock.

The right-handed batter surpassed Sharma after hitting Mujeeb-ur-Rahman for two sixes in the third over of the UAE innings. He achieved this feat in 54 innings, compared to Sharma’s 62.

Most sixes as captain in T20Is

110* – Muhammad Waseem (UAE)
105 – Rohit Sharma (IND)
86 – Eoin Morgan (ENG)
82 – Aaron Finch (AUS)
79 – Kadowaki Fleming (JPN)
69 – Jos Buttler (ENG)

Muhammad Waseem’s powerful knock saw him surpass former New Zealand batter Martin Guptill, placing him second to Rohit Sharma in the all-time six-hitting records in T20Is

Most sixes in T20Is

Rohit  Sharma (IND) – 159 matches, 205 sixes

Muhammad Waseem (UAE) – 80 matches, 176 sixes

Martin Guptill (NZ) – 122 matches, 173 sixes

Jos Buttler (ENG) – 137 matches, 160 sixes

In pursuit of the 189-run target, UAE could only muster 150 runs for 8 in their allocated 20 overs. Despite Waseem’s top scoring, his side endured a 38-run defeat in the T20I tri-series.

Earlier, after being put into bat first, Afghanistan posted 188 for 4 in their 20 overs, thanks to Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran’s half-centuries.

Sediqullah Atal made 54 off 30 balls with Ibrahim Zadran scoring 63 off 40, with the aid of four maximums and three fours.

Afghanistan will face Pakistan tomorrow at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium

READ: Asif Ali announces retirement from international cricket

SHARJAH: Afghanistan spin wizard Rashid Khan on Monday created history by becoming the leading wicket-taker in the T20Is, surpassing former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee.

Rashid achieved the feat during Afghanistan’s clash against the UAE in a tri-series clash.

The right-arm spinner weaved his magic with the ball, taking three wickets for 21 in his quota of four overs.

He surpassed former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee’s tally of 164 wickets on the 15th over of the game.

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With the help of his bowling spell, Afghanistan romped to a 38-run win over the hosts.

Most Wickets in T20Is 

Rashid Khan (AFG) – 98 matches, 165 wickets

TG Southee (NZ) – 126 matches, 164 wickets

IS Sodhi (NZ) – 126 matches, 150 wickets

Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) – 129 matches, 149 wickets

Mustafizur Rahman (BAN) – 113 matches, 142 wickets

In pursuit of the 189-run target, UAE could only muster 150 runs for 8 in their allocated 20 overs.

Muhammad Waseem top-scored for UAE with 67 off 37 balls, hitting six maximums and four boundaries, whereas Rahul Chopra scored an unbeaten 52 off 35 balls with the aid of three fours and an equal number of sixes.

Earlier, after being put into bat first, Afghanistan posted 188 for 4 in their 20 overs, thanks to Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran’s half-centuries.

Sediqullah Atal made 54 off 30 balls with Ibrahim Zadran scoring 63 off 40, with the aid of four maximums and three fours.

Afghanistan will face Pakistan tomorrow at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium

READ: Zadran, Rashid help Afghanistan rout UAE in tri-series clash

SHARJAH: Ibrahim Zadran’s half-century and Rashid Khan’s record-breaking three-wicket haul helped Afghanistan romp to a 38-run victory over UAE in the third fixture of the T20I tri-series here on Monday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

In pursuit of the 189-run target, UAE could only muster 150 runs for 8 in their allocated 20 overs.

UAE had a similar start to Afghanistan, losing their opener Muhammad Zohaib  in the second over. Despite the wicket, the hosts batted briskly, with the captain Muhammad Waseem remaining the core aggressor.

Afghanistan made a comeback with Ethan D’Souza’s wicket in the ninth over as the scorecard read 76-2 in 8.1 overs. D’Souza made 12 off 11 deliveries.

The wicket opened the door for Afghanistan as dangerous Waseem departed soon after. Waseem top-scored with 67 off 37 balls, hitting six maximums and four boundaries.

After his departure, Afghanistan continued to take wickets and UAE ended short despite Rahul Chopra’s valiant half-century.

Rahul scored an unbeaten 52 off 35 balls with the aid of three fours and an equal number of sixes.

For Afghanistan, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Rashid Khan were the standout bowlers, both picking up three wickets.

Earlier, after being put into bat first, Afghanistan posted 188 for 4 in their 20 overs, thanks to Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran’s half-centuries.

After losing opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (7) in only the third over, Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran stitched an 84-run stand, which took Afghanistan to a 100-run mark.

The partnership ended in the 13th over with Atal’s wicket, who departed after scoring 54 off 30 balls, an innings featuring three sixes and four boundaries.

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The wicket stemmed the flow of runs with UAE striking again as Darwish Rasooli could only manage to add 10 runs to the team’s total.

As a result, Afghanistan were reduced to 120-3 in 14.2 overs. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Zadran continued on the other end and reached his half-century in the process.

Meanwhile, UAE tried to stem the flow of runs, resulting in Zadran’s wicket. He departed after making 63 off 40, with the aid of four maximums and three fours.

With Afghanistan 160-4 in 17.4 overs, Azmatullah Omarzai and Karim Janat paired up and provided their team with a late flourish, eventually powering to a massive total.

Omarzai hit two sixes in his 20 off 12, whereas Karim Janat made 23 off just 10 deliveries, striking two maximums and two fours.

For UAE, Muhammad Rohid and Saghir Khan managed to pick up two wickets each.

Playing XIs

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (capt), Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fazalhaq Farooqi

UAE: Muhammad Waseem (capt), Muhammad Zohaib, Asif Khan, Rahul Chopra (wk), Ethan D’Souza, Harshit Kaushik, Dhruv Parashar, Saghir Khan, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid, Junaid Siddique

READ: WATCH: Pakistan train ahead of Afghanistan clash in tri-series

SHARJAH: UAE have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Afghanistan in the third fixture of the T20I tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Playing XIs

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (capt), Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fazalhaq Farooqi

UAE: Muhammad Waseem (capt), Muhammad Zohaib, Asif Khan, Rahul Chopra (wk), Ethan D’Souza, Harshit Kaushik, Dhruv Parashar, Saghir Khan, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid, Junaid Siddique

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Both teams have faced each other 12 times in T20Is. Afghanistan leads with nine victories, while the hosts have managed to win three games.

Matches 12, UAE 9, Afghanistan 9

The ongoing 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.

This will be Afghanistan and the UAE’s second fixture, following their opening matches against Pakistan.

The series is taking place at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE from August 29 to September 7.

READ: Afghanistan, UAE to hold minute’s silence before start of tri-series clash

SHARJAH: Afghanistan and UAE cricket teams will observe a one-minute silence for Afghanistan earthquake victims before start of the tri-series clash here on Monday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

This follows after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake jolted several parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan at midnight.

Due to the Afghanistan earthquake, around 800 people have lost their lives, and 2,500 have been injured in Kunar province alone.

Following the devastating earthquake, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and the Emirates Cricket Board have decided to express their condolences to the victims of the quake by observing a minute of silence.

“The Emirates Cricket Board joins the Afghanistan Cricket Board in offering sympathies and condolences to the victims of the tragic earthquake,” the Emirati board said in a post on X.

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“The Emirates Cricket Board joins the Afghanistan Cricket Board in offering sympathies and condolences to the victims of the tragic earthquake,” it added.

ACB also expressed grief over the loss of numerous lives due to the earthquake in the eastern province of Afghanistan.

“The leadership of the ACB, along with all the players and staff, express its deepest sorrow over the loss of lives and casualties caused by the severe earthquake in the eastern provinces, particularly in Kunar, ” the board said.

For context, Afghanistan, UAE, and Pakistan are featuring the T20I Tri-Series ahead of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025.

The ongoing 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.

This will be Afghanistan and the UAE’s second fixture, following their opening matches against Pakistan.

The series is taking place at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE from August 29 to September 7.

READ: England all-rounder takes indefinite break from red ball cricket

SHARJAH: Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson, took to the social media platform ‘X’ to post a heartfelt message for the victims suffering due to the floods in Pakistan.

Pakistan claimed two successive victories in the UAE T20I triangular series. The Green Shirts opened their campaign against Afghanistan with a comprehensive 39-run victory courtesy of a clinical all-round performance.

After that, Pakistan defeated the hosts, the UAE, by 31 runs in a convincing manner, largely due to a solid batting performance.

For Pakistan, Saim Ayub and Hassan Nawaz starred with the bat, scoring brisk half-centuries which powered them to a commanding total of 207 runs.

In reply, the UAE fell short despite late fireworks from Asia Khan, who made 77 off just 35 balls.

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For Pakistan, Hasan Ali claimed three wickets and Mohammad Nawaz picked up two wickets, bowling an economical four-over spell.

Following the victories, Mike Hesson prayed for the safety of people affected by the Flood in Pakistan.

“These back-to-back wins are dedicated to everyone affected by the floods in Pakistan. Some people are really struggling, and we are praying for safety and strength for all those affected back in Pakistan,” he wrote.

For the uninitiated, Pakistan will face Afghanistan on Tuesday, September 2, before squaring off against the UAE two days later.

It is noteworthy to mention that the 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: Saim, Hasan and Nawaz power Pakistan to victory over UAE

SHARJAH: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has called for improved death bowling after his side’s 31-run victory over UAE in the second encounter of the tri-series clash here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

In pursuit of a daunting 208-run target, UAE could only muster 176-8 in their allocated 20 overs. Asif Khan remained the standout batter for the hosts, playing a sublime knock.

Asif made 77 runs from just 35 balls, an innings featuring half a dozen fours and sixes.

For Pakistan, Hasan Ali picked up three wickets; however, he went for 47 in his four overs. Mohammad Nawaz remained the pick of the bowlers with his two wickets, giving away only 21 runs in his quota of four overs.

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In batting, Hasan Nawaz (56) and Saim Ayub (69) stood tall with brisk knocks, which eventually powered Green Shirts to a winning total.

After the match, Salman Ali Agha emphasized the need for improvement in bowling during the last phase of the innings, stating that they must do better.

“It was a perfect batting game. First 15 overs with the bowling we were good, but the last five overs we need to work on. It’s something we have been working on but yeah we need to get better,” he said.

“I think our death bowling is something we are working on and it’s concerning. We need to be better in the next game, but overall we have been playing really well, and this is how we want to continue playing.”

Agha hailed Hasan Nawaz as a generational talent, highlighting his contribution while stressing the need to improve his game.

“I have been saying that [Hasan Nawaz] is a generational talent and has a great future. He has to keep working on his game and keep improving,” he remarked.

READ: Saim, Hasan and Nawaz power Pakistan to victory over UAE

SHARJAH: Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz’s brisk knock followed by Mohammad Nawaz’s clinical spell powered Pakistan to a 31-run victory over the UAE in the second match of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

In pursuit of a daunting 208-run target, UAE could only muster 176-8  in their allocated 20 overs.

The hosts started strongly in the chase, with openers laying a solid foundation with a brisk 39-run stand in just 4.1 overs.

However, Mohammad Nawaz removed Muhammad Zohaib, who made 13 from 14 deliveries. Meanwhile, Mohammad Waseem continued the charge from one end.

Pakistan roared back with successive strikes in the last over of play as dangerous Waseem ran himself out, whereas Ethan D’Souza followed his next ball.

Thus, the UAE were reduced to 54-3 in the first six overs, and with those wickets, Pakistan sparked a collapse which left the hosts in dire straits.

UAE were 79-4 in 10 overs with Asif Khan and Dhruv Parashar at the crease. The pair steadied the innings with a  54-run partnership with the former taking the core aggressor role.

Asif played a valiant knock but it was not enough as he was removed in the last over with. He played a scintillating knock off 77 runs from just 35 balls, an innings featuring half a dozen fours and sixes.

For Pakistan, Hasan Ali picked up three wickets whereas Mohammad Nawaz was clinical with his two wickets.

Saim Ayub and  Hasan Nawaz’s imposing knocks powered Pakistan to a commanding total.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan were bowled for 207 on the last ball of the final over.

UAE struck early as Sahibazada Farhan (8) was castled in the opening over. Despite the wicket, Pakistan upped the ante, scoring briskly until Fakhar Zaman’s departure.

Zaman (6) was bowled by left-arm spinner Haider Ali. As a result, Pakistan were reduced to 38.2 in 3.1 overs. However, Saim Ayub scored briskly and steadied the Green Shirts’ innings.

Meanwhile, the UAE struck at regular intervals, but it was unable to prevent Pakistan from scoring big. The previous match, half-century maker Salman Ali Agha (6) could not get going this time as he was caught behind.

Consequently, Pakistan were reduced to 74-3 in 7.5 overs. Meanwhile, Saim Ayub continued the charge and reached his fourth T20I half-century in the process.

He eventually departed on the third ball of the 12th over after playing an impressive knock which included four sixes and seven fours. At this stage, Pakistan were 104-4.

Following his departure, Hasan Nawaz upped the ante with a powerful knock. The right-hander batter tonked Haider Ali for three sixes in the over before getting dismissed.

He made 56 from 26 balls laced with half a dozen towering sixes and two fours.

For UAE, Saghir Khan and Junaid Siddique picked up three wickets each.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan,  Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman,  Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris,  Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali,  Salman Mirza, Sufiyan Muqeem

UAE: Muhammad Zohaib, Muhammad Waseem, Asif Khan,  Alishan Sharafu,  Rahul Chopra, Ethan DSouza, Dhruv Parashar, Saghir Khan, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah

READ: WATCH: Saeed Ajmal bowls Babar Azam with beautiful delivery during exhibition match

Saim Ayub and  Hasan Nawaz’s brisk knocks powered Pakistan to victory against the UAE in the second match of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday

UAE 176/8  (20 Overs)

Hasan Ali to bowl final over

UAE 171/6  (19 Overs)

Salman Mirza continues

UAE 153/6  (18 Overs)

Muqeem continues

UAE 136/6  (17 Overs)

16.2: Salman Mirza removes Parashar.

Dhruv Parashar  15 (19b 0x4 1×6) SR: 78.94

Salman Mirza returns

UAE 129/5 (16 Overs)

Sufiyan Muqeem to continue

UAE 122/5 (15 Overs)

Hasan Ali returns

UAE 103/5 (14 Overs)

Muqeem continues

UAE 86/5 (13 Overs)

Nawaz continues

UAE 82/5 (12 Overs)

Sufiyan Muqeem to bowl his first over of the night.

UAE 79/5 (11 Overs)

10.2: Chopra finds out fielding at deep backward square

Rahul Chopra 11 (14b 1×4 0x6) SR: 78.57

Nawaz to continue

UAE 75/4 (10 Overs)

Faheem continues

UAE 69/4 (9 Overs)

8.4: Saim Ayub with a wicket

Alishan Sharafu 3 (6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50

Saim continues

UAE 67/3 (8 Overs)

Faheem Ashraf comes to bowl

UAE 58/3 (7 Overs)

Saim Ayub introduced into the bowling for the first time.

UAE 54/3 (6 Overs)

5.6: Back-to-back wickets for Pakistan

Ethan D’Souza 3 (4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 75

5.5: More trouble for UAE as dangerous Waseem is run out.

Muhammad Waseem 33 (18b 3×4 2×6) SR: 183.33

Hasan Ali back into the attack

UAE 43/1 (5 Overs)

4.1: Nawaz gets Zohaib to provide the first breakthrough for Pakistan

Muhammad Zohaib 13 (14b 2×4 0x6) SR: 92.85

Nawaz continues

UAE 39/0 (4 Overs)

Salman Mirza to bowl the fifth over

UAE 27/0 (3 Overs)

Mohammad Nawaz comes in to bowl

UAE 18/0 (2 Overs)

Hasan Ali to bowl from the other end

UAE 6/0 (1 Over)

Muhammad Zohaib and Muhammad Waseem to start the proceedings for the UAE. Salman Mirza takes the new ball for Pakistan.

PAKISTAN vs UAE (2nd INNINGS)

Saim Ayub and  Hasan Nawaz’s brisk knocks took Pakistan to a commanding total of against the UAE in the second match of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday

PAK 207 (20 Overs)

PAK 201/7 (19 Overs)

Muhammad Jawadullah to bowl his last over.

PAK 188/7 (18 Overs)

17.2: High in the air as and it’s taken. What a catch at the ropes from a teenager D’Souza

Mohammad Nawaz 25 (15b 2×4 1×6) SR: 166.66

Saghir Khan back to bowl

PAK 176/6 (17 Overs)

16.3: Junaid Siddique scalps Mohammad Haris.

Mohammad Haris 1 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50

Junaid Siddique back into the attack

PAK 163/6 (16 Overs)

15.4: Finally, Haider gets the dangerous Nawaz after conceding three sixes in three balls.

Hasan Nawaz 56 (26b 2×4 6×6) SR: 215.38

15.2: Hasan Nawaz reaches his half-century with a massive six.

 Hasan Nawaz 50 (24b 2×4 5×6)

Hasan Nawaz 50

Haider Ali comes to bowl

PAK 143/4 (15 Overs)

Prashar back to bowl

PAK 133/4 (14 Overs)

Saghir continues

PAK 121/4 (13 Overs)

Jawadullah to bowl his third over

PAK 110/4 (12 Overs)

11.3: Unlucky!! Saim Ayub is caught behind after a fine knock. Saghir with the much-needed breakthrough.

Saim Ayub 69 (38b 7×4 4×6) SR: 181.57

Saghir Khan to bowl the 12th over

PAK 102/3 (11 Overs)

Prashar back to bowl his third over

PAK 93/3 (10 Overs)

Haider Ali back into the attack

PAK 86/3 (9 Overs)

Jawadullah continues

PAK 75/3 (8 Overs)

7.5: Huge wicket for UAE as captain Salman Ali Agha departs after tickling the ball to the keeper

Salman Agha 5 (9b 0x4 0x6) SR: 55.55

7.2: Saim Ayub gets to his fourth T20I half-century in style.

Saim Ayub 53 (25b 6×4 4×6) 

Saghir Khan comes in to bowl

PAK 63/2 (7 Overs)

Muhammad Jawadullah to bowl his first over.

PAK 51/2 (6 Overs)

Haider continues

PAK 48/2 (5 Overs)

Parashar comes back to bowl

PAK 40/2 (4 Overs)

3.1: What a ball. Haider bowls Fakhar a beautiful delivery, and the southpaw had no clue where to play.

Fakhar Zaman  6 (7b 1×4 0x6) SR: 85.71

Haider Ali introduced for the first time in the attack

PAK 38/1 (3 Overs)

Siddique continues

PAK 16/1 (2 Overs)

Dhruv Parashar takes the new ball from the other end

PAK 9/1 (1 Over)

0.5: Junaid Siddique castles Farhan with an absolute peach of a delivery that jagged bagged and clipped off stump

Sahibzada Farhan  8 (5b 2×4 0x6) SR: 160

Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan come out to open the innings in the second Pakistan UAE Tri-series clash. Junaid Siddique to bowl the first over for the UAE.

PAKISTAN vs UAE (1st INNINGS)

SHARJAH: Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first against UAE in the second match of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan,  Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman,  Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris,  Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali,  Salman Mirza, Sufiyan Muqeem

UAE: Muhammad Zohaib, Muhammad Waseem, Asif Khan,  Alishan Sharafu,  Rahul Chopra, Ethan DSouza, Dhruv Parashar, Saghir Khan, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Pakistan and the UAE have faced each other only once in the T20I format. Pakistan emerged victorious in the match by seven wickets, which was played in 2016 in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup.

Matches 1 , Pakistan 1, UAE  0

READ: WATCH: Saeed Ajmal bowls Babar Azam with beautiful delivery during exhibition match