Pak vs UAE, Asia Cup 2025 : The Asia Cup 2025 continues to deliver both drama and thrilling cricket. Today’s clash between Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Dubai International Stadium is not just a group-stage game — it’s a must-win for Pakistan after their earlier setback against India. With off-field controversies already dominating headlines, the match has become a gripping contest watched closely by fans around the world.
Pak vs UAE : A Match Delayed by Controversy
The game was scheduled to start at 8:00 PM IST, but the toss and play were delayed by an hour. The reason? Pakistan’s protest against match referee Andy Pycroft, who had been at the center of the recent India–Pakistan handshake controversy.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had demanded Pycroft’s replacement, but the ICC refused to make changes. Eventually, Pycroft issued an apology, calling the earlier incident a “miscommunication.” With the matter partially resolved, play finally began at 9:00 PM IST.
Pak vs UAE : Toss and Playing XI
UAE won the toss and chose to bowl first, aiming to exploit the conditions under lights. Both sides announced their playing XIs before the toss:
Pakistan XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Khushdil Shah, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
UAE XI: Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Aayan Afzal Khan, Asif Khan, Simranjeet Singh, Basil Hameed, Ali Naseer, Rohan Mustafa, Akif Raja.
Pakistan’s Early Struggles
Pakistan’s innings got off to a rocky start. Opener Saim Ayub was dismissed for a duck, and Sahibzada Farhan also fell early, leaving the team under pressure.
It was veteran Fakhar Zaman who steadied the innings with a fluent half-century, striking powerful boundaries before being caught by Harshit Kaushik off Simranjeet Singh. His dismissal once again put the middle order in focus, with captain Salman Ali Agha tasked with building momentum.
UAE’s Fightback
The UAE bowlers, led by Simranjeet Singh and Rohan Mustafa, kept Pakistan in check with disciplined lines and lengths. Their sharp fielding and energy on the ground reflected a team hungry to upset a cricketing giant. With every wicket, the Dubai crowd roared, sensing a possible upset in the making.
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Off-Field Drama Still Looms
While cricket played out in the middle, the political drama was never far away. PCB’s anger at Andy Pycroft has not fully cooled, and reports suggest further complaints may be filed after the match. This adds more pressure to Pakistan, who must win convincingly to silence critics and secure their spot in the Super Four stage.
Why This Match Matters
For Pakistan, a win is absolutely crucial. A loss to UAE could mean early elimination and massive embarrassment on both sporting and political fronts. For UAE, this is an opportunity to create history by toppling a cricketing heavyweight on one of the biggest stages.
Current Live Score (First Innings)
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Pakistan: 146/9 in 20 overs
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Top Scorer: Fakhar Zaman – 50 (35 balls)
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Best Bowling (UAE): Junaid Siddique 3/24, Simranjeet Singh 2/26
Pakistan’s Rocky Start
Pakistan’s batting began on the worst possible note. Saim Ayub was dismissed for a duck in the very first over by Junaid Siddique, setting the tone for UAE’s energetic bowling display. Sahibzada Farhan also fell cheaply, leaving Pakistan wobbling at the top.
Captain Salman Ali Agha tried to rebuild but struggled to find momentum, scoring cautiously under mounting pressure.
Fakhar Zaman’s Steadying Act
It was Fakhar Zaman who stood tall amidst the chaos. Displaying his trademark aggressive intent, he hammered boundaries across the ground and brought up a valuable half-century. His knock of 50 off 35 balls gave Pakistan the stability they desperately needed. However, just when he looked set to accelerate further, he was dismissed by Simranjeet Singh, leaving Pakistan once again searching for answers.
UAE Bowlers Shine
The UAE bowlers deserve full credit for their discipline. Junaid Siddique’s early strikes rattled Pakistan’s confidence, while Simranjeet Singh and Harshit Kaushik ensured the middle order never got away. Their tight bowling lines and sharp fielding kept Pakistan pinned down throughout the innings.
Shaheen Afridi’s Late Cameo
In the final overs, Shaheen Shah Afridi unleashed a powerful cameo, smashing 29 runs off just 14 balls. His late fireworks pushed Pakistan’s total to 146/9, giving them some hope in what could have otherwise been a below-par score. Without Shaheen’s contribution, Pakistan would have finished far short of a defendable target.
Match Context
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For Pakistan, this game is a must-win after their earlier loss to India. A defeat here could end their Asia Cup campaign early and cause major embarrassment.
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For UAE, this is a golden chance to script history. Their confident bowling performance has already tilted the contest, and if their batters deliver, a famous upset could be on the cards.
What to Expect in the Chase
UAE’s batting lineup, led by Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu, will need to handle the pace threat of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf early on. If they can survive the new ball, the chase is very much achievable.
Pakistan, on the other hand, will rely heavily on their bowling attack to defend this total. The spotlight will be on Shaheen Afridi’s pace, Abrar Ahmed’s spin, and the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha.
At 146/9, Pakistan may not have put up a towering score, but with the likes of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf in their bowling lineup, they remain in the contest. UAE, however, have shown the hunger and discipline to fight, and the chase promises to be thrilling. Fans can expect a nail-biting finish in Dubai as the Asia Cup drama continues.
Conclusion
The Pakistan vs UAE clash in the Asia Cup 2025 is more than just cricket. It’s a story of pressure, politics, and pride. While the players battle it out under the lights of Dubai, fans across the world are glued to every ball, every decision, and every twist. Whether Pakistan bounces back or UAE pulls off a shock, this game will be remembered as one of the most dramatic fixtures of the tournament so far.
🔍 FAQs about Pak vs UAE, Asia Cup 2025
Q1. Why was the match delayed?
The match was delayed by one hour due to Pakistan’s protest against match referee Andy Pycroft.
Q2. Who won the toss?
UAE won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Q3. What happened in Pakistan’s batting start?
Pakistan lost early wickets but Fakhar Zaman scored a fifty before being dismissed.
Q4. Why is this match important for Pakistan?
It is a must-win match for Pakistan to qualify for the Super Four stage after their earlier loss to India.
Q5. Who are the standout players so far?
For Pakistan, Fakhar Zaman’s fifty was crucial. For UAE, Simranjeet Singh and Rohan Mustafa impressed with the ball.
