The UAE Tri-Series 2025 witnessed an intense clash between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the much-anticipated Match 5, held at Sharjah on Wednesday. With the stakes high, Pakistan bounced back from their initial defeat against Afghanistan to secure a vital win, edging the UAE by 31 runs and booking their spot in the tri-series final.
Match Recap and Key Moments
Pakistan’s innings started strongly but lost momentum in the middle overs, finding themselves precariously placed at 108/5 after two crucial dropped catches by UAE fielders. This lapse proved costly as the Pakistani lower order, led by Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz, engineered a late surge, pushing the total to a defendable 170 runs. Despite conditions favoring bowlers, Pakistan’s bowlers found ways to put pressure on the opposition throughout the innings.
In response, UAE initially executed their cautious game plan well, aiming to keep wickets intact and build partnerships. Alishan Sharafu stood out with a valiant 68 runs, which was the highest individual score for the hosts. However, lack of consistent support from other batsmen, especially from captain Muhammad Waseem whose own innings fell short of expectations, crippled their chase.
Turning Point and Bowling Heroics
The decisive moment arrived in the death overs when Pakistan’s spinners tightened their grip. Abrar Ahmed emerged as the standout performer, claiming 4 wickets for just 9 runs in his four overs, earning him the Player of the Match award. His clever variations and ability to read the pitch made all the difference. Shaheen Afridi also impressed with disciplined bowling, providing breakthroughs at crucial junctures.
The UAE’s bowlers held their ground for the majority of the game but faltered in the final overs, conceding a flurry of boundaries that shifted momentum towards Pakistan. The team showed resilience and plenty of heart, but the inability to close out the match exposed areas for improvement, especially in finishing under pressure.
Post-Match Reactions
Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha expressed satisfaction with the team’s fightback after a shaky middle phase and highlighted Fakhar Zaman’s often underappreciated match-winning abilities. He also appreciated the bowling unit’s adaptability to Sharjah’s turning track.
On the other hand, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem acknowledged the missed opportunities due to dropped catches and credited his team with learning valuable lessons about managing pressure and batting strategy in the tournament. Waseem emphasized the importance of their top-order batters playing longer to build a platform for acceleration in future matches.
What’s Next?
With this win, Pakistan joins Afghanistan in securing places in the tri-series final. The UAE, despite their spirited efforts, have been knocked out of the competition but will use the experience gained here to prepare for upcoming fixtures and the Asia Cup scheduled in the same venue shortly.
Pakistan now has a couple of days to rest and regroup before final showdown on Sunday, setting up what promises to be an electrifying clash against a firing Afghanistan side.
Summary
- Match Result: Pakistan won by 31 runs.
- Pakistan’s Total: 170/7
- Top UAE Scorer: Alishan Sharafu (68)
- Player of the Match: Abrar Ahmed (4/9)
- Next: Pakistan and Afghanistan to face off in the tri-series final.
As the tri-series builds to its climax, fans around the world are eagerly waiting for the final encounter, hoping for more thrilling cricket action under Sharjah’s lights. Stay tuned for further updates and expert analysis from the cricketing heartland!
For live scores, expert commentary, and more exclusive cricket content from the UAE Tri-Series 2025, keep following our updates.
