Pakistan outclass UAE to seal spot in T20I tri-series final with Afghanistan
SHARJAH: A fighting half-century from Fakhar Zaman, complemented by a remarkable four-wicket spell from spinner Abrar Ahmed, guided Pakistan to a commanding 31-run triumph over hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the fifth match of the T20I Tri-series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
The win secured Pakistan’s berth in the tournament final as they wrapped up the group stage with six points from four outings. UAE, still winless after four games, were eliminated, while Afghanistan — sitting second with two points from three matches — also sealed their place in the decider scheduled for Sunday at the same venue.
Chasing 172, UAE could only reach 140/7 in their 20 overs despite opener Alishan Sharafu’s valiant half-century. The home side began steadily, with Sharafu and skipper Muhammad Waseem adding 41 runs in the powerplay. However, Abrar Ahmed struck immediately after the field restrictions, dismissing Waseem for a run-a-ball 19, which triggered a collapse.
The hosts stumbled to 102/5 in 15 overs before Sharafu, who had held the innings together, was undone by Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 17th over. He finished with a fighting 68 off 51 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes. Apart from Dhruv Parashar (18*), and Haider Ali (12), no other batter offered resistance against Pakistan’s attack.
Abrar was the pick of the bowlers with sensational figures of 4/9 in four overs, while Afridi chipped in with one wicket.
Earlier, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bat first proved fruitful as his side posted 171/5. The innings began brightly with Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub adding 28 runs in quick time, but a flurry of wickets saw the visitors reduced to 80/5 by the halfway stage.
It was then Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz who staged a brilliant rescue act, stitching together a rapid 97-run partnership. Fakhar remained unbeaten on a blazing 77 off 44 balls, peppered with 12 boundaries including two sixes, while Nawaz struck 37 from 27 deliveries with three fours and two maximums.
For UAE, Haider Ali picked up two wickets, while Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Rohid, and Muhammad Jawadullah claimed one each.With this victory, Pakistan sit comfortably atop the points table, while UAE stay winless at the bottom.
