Shaheens Crush UAE by 9 Wickets, Seal Top Spot in Group B
DOHA: Pakistan Shaheens wrapped up their Group B campaign in style, outclassing the UAE by nine wickets in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 clash at West End Park International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Set a small total to chase, Pakistan wasted no time and crossed the finish line in just 5.2 overs. The only setback came when Mohammad Naeem nicked off for six, dismissed by Mohammad Rohid.
From there, Maaz Sadaqat and Ghazi Ghori took complete control, adding an effortless 50-run stand to take their side home without any further trouble.
Sadaqat was in explosive touch, smashing an unbeaten 37 from just 15 balls, hammering four fours and three sixes. Ghori chipped in with a steady 16 off 12, striking three boundaries.
Earlier in the day, the UAE batting lineup never found their footing after being asked to bat first. They crumbled early, losing three wickets inside the first six overs.
Ahmed Tariq walked back on the very first ball courtesy of Shahid Aziz, while skipper Alishan Sharafu managed only three before being trapped in front by Arafat Minhas. Sohaib Khan’s stay was short-lived too, departing for two as Ahmed Daniyal tightened the screws further, leaving the UAE reeling at 15-3.
The slide continued when Sufiyan Muqeem removed Harshit Kaushik for five. A brief attempt to rebuild ended when Maaz Sadaqat got rid of Syed Haider, who top-scored with 20. Daniyal struck again for a second wicket, dismissing Muhammad Arfan without scoring, and Mohammad Shahzad added to the tally by removing Yayin Kiran Rai for seven.
Muqeem returned late in the innings to produce a double strike—dismissing Muhammad Farooq and Mohammad Rohid on back-to-back deliveries. The innings came to a close soon after, with Sadaqat removing Muhammad Jawadullah as UAE collapsed for just 50 in 18 overs.
Muqeem was the pick of the bowlers with outstanding figures of 3 for 12. Daniyal and Sadaqat took two wickets each, while Aziz, Minhas and Shahzad grabbed one apiece.
With this emphatic win, Pakistan Shaheens topped Group B unbeaten, securing all six points and finishing with a commanding net run rate of 4.560.
