Pakistan’s Shaheens remained undefeated and continued their impressive performance in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 as they defeated UAE by nine wickets in their final Group B match at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Chasing a modest target, Pakistan cruised to victory in just 5.2 overs, losing just one wicket. The early blow came when Mohammad Rohid dismissed Mohammad Naeem for six off five balls.
However, Maaz Sadaqat and Ghazi Ghori ensured there were no further problems, stitching together a 50-run partnership for the second wicket, sealing a comfortable win.
Sadaqat delivered a blistering unbeaten knock of 37 off 15 deliveries, with four boundaries and three sixes. Ghori supported him well with 16 off 12 balls, including three fours.
Previously, the UAE struggled from the start after getting started. They lost three wickets during the powerplay.
Opening batsman Ahmed Tariq was dismissed for a first-ball duck from Shahid Aziz, followed by skipper Alishan Sharafu, who fell for three after being trapped LBW by Arafat Minhas.
Sohaib Khan’s brief resistance ended when Ahmed Daniyal removed him for two off 14 balls, leaving UAE at 15-3.
Sufiyan Muqeem added to UAE’s misery by dismissing Harshit Kaushik for five, before Maaz Sadaqat broke up a rebuilding effort by removing Syed Haider for 20 off 19. Daniyal struck again, sending Muhammad Arfan back for a duck, while Mohammad Shahzad Yayin dismissed Kiran Rai for seven.
Muqeem returned in the 14th over to remove Muhammad Farooq and Muhammad Rohid from successive deliveries, reducing UAE to 50-9.
Sadaqat then ended the innings by dismissing Muhammad Jawadullah as UAE folded for 50 in 18 overs.
Muqeem led the bowling attack with impressive figures of 3/12 in four overs. Sadaqat and Daniyal claimed two wickets each, while Aziz, Shahzad and Minhas took one each.
With this win, Pakistan Shaheens finished top of Group B with three wins from three matches, collected six points and had a net run rate of 4,560.
