In a gripping encounter, Pakistan beats the UAE by 31 runs in Dubai, thanks to Fakhar Zaman and Abrar Ahmed’s stellar performances. Read more about the game.
Introduction:
Pakistan continued their strong run in T20I cricket with a comfortable yet hard-fought 31-run win over the United Arab Emirates in Dubai. In a contest that combined flashes of brilliance from both sides, Pakistan’s batting class, anchored by Fakhar Zaman’s unbeaten 77, and their spin-heavy bowling attack proved decisive.
Set a target of 172, the Emiratis showed fight, led by a heroic half-century from Alishan Sharafu. However, Pakistan’s spinners—spearheaded by Abrar Ahmed’s sensational 4 for 9—deflated the chase and secured another notable win for Babar Azam’s side.
Fakhar Zaman’s Steely Half-Century
Pakistan, batting first after winning the toss, began with mixed fortunes. Early wickets raised concerns as the UAE’s seamers bowled disciplined lines under the lights. But from 30 for 2, Fakhar Zaman steadied the innings, showing his trademark composure and controlled shot-making. See also: Afghanistan Stun Pakistan
Zaman’s knock of 77 not out wasn’t a whirlwind laden with risks. Instead, it was an innings of maturity, precisely what Pakistan required in the middle overs. He targeted gaps, rotated the strike effectively, and then, once set, unleashed powerful sweeps and lofted drives. His calm presence provided stability and allowed Pakistan’s innings to flourish, even as wickets tumbled at the other end.
Nawaz Turns Finisher
If Zaman was the steady hand, Mohammad Nawaz was the late accelerator. Walking in with around five overs to go, Nawaz’s 37 not out injected critical momentum. His calculated strokes and timely boundaries pushed Pakistan to 171 for 5—a total that suddenly looked imposing.
The partnership between Zaman and Nawaz (an unbeaten 77-run stand) gave Pakistan a strong finish. For a batting lineup that has occasionally struggled with strike rotation and lower-order collapse, this stand was a welcome sight.
UAE’s Spirited Bowling Effort
Despite the defeat, the UAE bowling unit deserves acknowledgment. Junaid Siddique and Rohan Mustafa kept Pakistan in check during the power play with disciplined lines. Though the visitors eventually regrouped, UAE’s fielders backed their bowlers with energy, saving runs and cutting off boundaries at crucial moments.
Their effort ensured Pakistan were restricted for large periods before Zaman and Nawaz’s strokeplay tilted the balance late. For the Emiratis, this performance was evidence that they are closing the gap, at least in flurries, with cricket’s established teams.
UAE’s Chase: Sharafu’s One-Man Show
Chasing 172 was always going to be a tall order against Pakistan’s world-class bowling attack, especially on a slow Dubai deck. Yet, the UAE’s 21-year-old batter Alishan Sharafu played a remarkable knock. His 68 was filled with positive strokes—cover drives, flicks, and even a few audacious sixes.
At one stage, as he motored past 50 and kept finding partners to stick around, there were murmurs of a possible upset. Unfortunately for the UAE, Sharafu lacked sustained support from the other end. As wickets fell in clusters, the chase derailed despite his shining effort.
Abrar Ahmed’s Spin Web
The standout performer for Pakistan with the ball was once again mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed. His remarkable spell—4 wickets for just 9 runs—broke the UAE’s backbone.
Abrar varied his pace, bowled into the pitch cleverly, and forced mistakes from batters unable to pick his variations. On a surface offering slight grip, he was unplayable at times, luring batters into false strokes and silencing the small but vocal UAE-supporting crowd.
This spell reaffirmed why Abrar is now considered a vastly important asset in Pakistan cricket’s evolving spin arsenal.
Shaheen Afridi’s Early Strikes
While Abrar dominated the middle overs, Shaheen Afridi ensured UAE’s chase didn’t take off freely. His trademark inswinger trapped Rohan Mustafa early, and his control with the new ball stifled the UAE’s run rate. Finishing with 1 for 23, it wasn’t a flashy performance by Shaheen’s lofty standards, but it was effective: genuine pace up front and discipline to complement spin later.
Pakistan’s Bowling Plan
What stood out in Pakistan’s defense was their clarity of roles. Afridi and Naseem Shah handled the early surge, cutting down boundaries. Imad Wasim and Nawaz applied spin pressure in the middle alongside Abrar, and Haris Rauf closed with his usual mix of yorkers and sharp short deliveries.
It was a complete, disciplined bowling unit. While Sharafu resisted valiantly, the asking rate kept climbing, and Pakistan ensured no partnerships flourished.
Lessons for the UAE
For the UAE, this was more than just another defeat—it was a spirited fight. Sharafu’s innings will inspire confidence, while the bowling effort in the powerplay showed they can rattle stronger sides.
The key takeaway will be the need for consistency. Against major teams, one player cannot carry the chase alone. UAE must work on building deeper partnerships and strengthening their lower middle order to back standout players like Sharafu.
Pakistan’s Positive Signs
For Pakistan, Fakhar Zaman’s return to form is a huge positive, especially as selectors search for finishing combinations ahead of global tournaments. Nawaz’s role as a batting all-rounder also gained significance. And Abrar Ahmed’s spell added yet another reminder that spin could be central to Pakistan’s T20 strategies moving forward.
This match portrayed Pakistan striking a better balance: disciplined bowling, reliable finishing, and adaptability after a shaky start with the bat.
Closing the Gap
Matches such as this matter beyond the result. While Pakistan strengthened their credentials as a powerful T20 side, the UAE also earned respect with their grit. Cricket in associate nations pivots on moments of belief; Sharafu’s innings and the team’s energy in the field created those moments.
For Pakistan, though, the enduring takeaway is momentum. A 31-run win, achieved under lights in Dubai, pushes them forward with renewed confidence.
Conclusion: The Familiar and the Fresh
Pakistan’s 171 for 5, built on Zaman’s 77* and Nawaz’s 37*, proved comfortably beyond UAE’s 140 for 7 despite Sharafu’s heroic 68. The win highlights both the old reliables—Shaheen’s early breakthroughs, Fakhar’s batting class—and the fresh faces like Abrar Ahmed weaving magic with the ball.
It was a professional, measured performance, with enough spark to satisfy their fans and enough lessons to sharpen their approach for sterner tasks ahead. For the UAE, it was defeat but not despair—proof they can compete with cricket’s best, piece by piece.
In the end, Pakistan were just too strong, too balanced, and deserved to win by 31 runs.
