Fakhar Zaman's blistering unbeaten 44-ball 77 and Abrar Ahmed's (4-9) bowling brilliance have powered Pakistan to dominating 31-run victory over the United Arab Emirates in the 5th match of the tri-nation series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
UAE's Innings
According to details, chasing a 172-run target, the UAE were restricted on 140-7 in the 20 overs. UAE off to a cautious start with the bat in the powerplay, scoring 41. But, in the first ball of the 7th over, Abrar Ahmed had removed skipper Muhammad Waseem on run-a-ball 19.
None of the UAE batters could managed to show resistance with the bat, with the exception of Alishan Sharafu, who scored a blistering 51-ball 68, lacing with four boundaries and four sixes.
Muhammad Waseem (19), Ethan D'Souza (9), Asif Khan (7), Rahul Chopra (0), Harshit Kaushik (3), Haider Ali (12) failed to show significant resistance with the bat.
Dhruv Parashar (18) and Junaid Siddique (0) had remained unbeaten.
For Pakistan, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed had not only remained standout with the bowl, but also registered his best bowling figures in T20Is. Abrar had picked four wickets by conceding merely 9 runs in his four-over quota.
Shaheen Shah Afridi (1-23) had shown his experience and delivered an economical spell, picking up a wicket.
Mohammad Nawaz (1-30) had also picked up a wicket.
Salman Mirza (0-31), Salman Ali Agha (0-5), Saim Ayub (0-29), Faheem Ashraf (0-11) had remained wicketless.
Pakistan's Innings
Fakhar Zaman (44-ball 77) and Mohammad Nawaz (27-ball 37) have powered Pakistan to 171-5 against UAE in the 5th match of the tri-nation series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
According to details, Pakistan off to a horrendous start and lost five wickets for 80. Fakhar Zaman found an able ally in Nawaz as the pair stitched 91 runs off 51 deliveries to ensure Pakistan post decent total on the board against the hosts.
The last two overs yielded 42 runs for the Green Shirts after the UAE fielders dropped catches of both Fakhar and Nawaz.
Fakhar Zaman has completed his fifty after 15 months as Pakistan were looking to post respectable total against UAE.
Pakistan had continued to lose momentum as Hasan Nawaz was removed by Haider on 4 in the 12th over.
Mohammad Haris had once again failed to score big runs for Pakistan and was trapped lbw by Haider Ali. Haris could only scor 17-ball 14.
Pakistan had scored 50 runs in the powerplay, losing three wickets. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha was removed by Muhammad Rohid on 5-ball 7.
United Arab Emirates fast bowler Junaid Siddique has completed 100 wickets in T20Is as the Pakistan batters were facing early hiccup.
Sahibzada Farhan was the first one to depart off Dhruv Parashar. Farhan smashed two boundaries and one six in his 11-ball 16.
Subsequently, Saim Ayub was removed by Siddique on 10-ball 11.
For UAE, Haider Ali (2-17) has remained standout bowler, picking up two wickets.
Muhammad Rohid (1-21), Dhruv Parashar (1-35) Junaid Siddique (1-52) took a scalp each.
Ethan D’Souza (0-5) and Muhammad Jawadullah (0-38) have remained wicketless.
After victory over UAE, the Green Shirts have confirmed their place in the tri-nation series final and will lock horns against the Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan.
It is pertinent to note that Afghanistan would take on UAE tomorrow in the final match of the round robin ahead of the final.
TOSS
Pakistan have opted to bat first against the United Arab Emirates.
PLAYING XI
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed
UAE: Muhammad Waseem (c), Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra (wk), Ethan D'Souza, Harshit Kaushik, Shruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Jawad, Muhammad Rohid, Junaid Siddique
