Asia Cup: Pakistan Overcome UAE After Boycott Threat, Set Up Blockbuster Clash with India in Super 4

Pakistan sealed their spot in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup with a 41-run win over the United Arab Emirates in Dubai on Wednesday, a contest that had everything — a delayed start, heated off-field drama, inspired spells of bowling, and a few nervy passages of play. The Salman Ali Agha-led side overcame spirited resistance from the hosts UAE to secure a place in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup, where they will first face arch-rivals India.

The Group A contest in Dubai was delayed by an hour after Pakistan threatened to boycott the game over the International Cricket Council’s refusal to remove match referee Andy Pycroft. The row, which stemmed from the so-called “handshake incident” during the India–Pakistan clash earlier in the week, was only resolved after Pycroft apologised to Pakistan’s management for what was described as “miscommunication” at the toss.

Pakistan vs UAE, Asia Cup: Scorecard | Highlights

Once play finally got underway, Pakistan’s performance with the bat was far from convincing. They limped to 17 for 2 inside four overs, and their innings never truly found rhythm. UAE’s attack, led by Junaid Siddique’s 4 for 18 and Simranjeet Singh’s 3 for 26, repeatedly punctured Pakistan’s line-up. Only Fakhar Zaman offered resistance, his 36-ball half-century holding the innings together before Shaheen Shah Afridi’s late cameo of 29 not out from 14 balls gave Pakistan some breathing space, pushing them to 146 for 9.

For the second time in the tournament, Shaheen Afridi rescued the team from trouble. Against India, the left-arm fast bowler hit a 16-ball 33 to help them avoid an embarrassing total.

ABRAR AHMED DELIVERS

UAE’s chase began brightly, with opener Aryan Chopra top-scoring with 35 and a 48-run stand between Chopra and Dhruv Parashar threatening to tilt the game. But Afridi, returning with the ball for his best display of the tournament, removed Alishan Sharafu at a crucial juncture, while Haris Rauf broke the Chopra–Parashar partnership. From 85 for 3, UAE collapsed spectacularly, losing their last seven wickets for just 20 runs in the space of 23 balls, to be bowled out for 105 in 17.4 overs.

Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub were instrumental in squeezing the middle overs, combining for figures of 3 for 31 in eight overs, while Afridi (2 for 16) and Abrar (2 for 13) ensured Pakistan’s passage into the next stage.

For UAE, the spirited effort with the ball will be remembered, but their elimination was confirmed with this defeat. For Pakistan, the win came with more questions about their batting form but also with the reassurance that their bowlers remain capable of rescuing tight situations.

More importantly, the drama surrounding the Pycroft episode has, for now, been parked. Pakistan will now head into their Super Four encounter against India, a contest that promises all the intensity the tournament has come to expect.

India will take on Oman in their final group game on Friday before the big contest.

On Thursday, Group B will also be decided when table toppers Sri Lanka take on Afghanistan, who need a win to keep Bangladesh out and secure a spot in the Super 4.