Pakistan beats UAE by 41 runs, set for India clash in Asia Cup

Pakistan made short work of an inexperienced UAE batting unit, winning their last group league game by 41 runs on Wednesday, setting up a much-anticipated Super 4s grudge match against India in the Asia Cup.

The match started an hour late, as Pakistan threatened a pull-out following the handshake fiasco during the previous game against India. However, Salman Agha’s team climbed down and showed up for the game.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was the hero, blasting an unbeaten 29 off 14 balls to prop up what still otherwise looked a modest total of 146 for 9.

For Associate Nations, any score above 130 against Test-playing countries becomes a tall order as the



bowling quality improves vastly. UAE could only manage 105 in 17.4 overs.

Afridi (2/16) was too hot to handle for Alishan Sharafu (12), who was bowled out. UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem (14) was dismissed while trying to fetch a widish leg-break from Abrar Ahmed (2/13 in 4 overs). The ball was moving towards leg-stump, resulting in a brilliant running catch by Mohammed Nawaz.

Saim Ayub (1/18 in 4 overs), who has more wickets than runs in this tournament so far, then bowled Muhammad Zohaib with a straight fast delivery that kept a tad low.

Rahul Chopra (35 off 35 balls) tried his best but could never get the big shots going, even as the asking rate soared.