Shaheen’s All-Round Show, Bowlers Shine as Pakistan Enter Next Round

Dubai, Pakistan secures Super Four spot after bowling out UAE for 105, as match referee Andy Pycroft issues public apology.

Pakistan secured their place in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four after knocking the United Arab Emirates (UAE) out of the tournament in the 10th group-stage clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Set a 146-run target on a testing surface, UAE’s batting faltered against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack, folding for 105 in 17.4 overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Rahul Chopra fought a lone battle with a steady 35 off 35 balls, while Dhruv Prashar (20), skipper Muhammad Waseem (14), and opener Alishan Sharafu (12) offered brief resistance. However, the rest of the batting lineup crumbled without reaching double figures. r Pakistan, Shaheen, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed picked up two wickets each, while Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha chipped in with one scalp apiece.Put into bat first, Pakistan accumulated 146/9 in their allotted 20 overs.

The Green Shirts got off to a dismal start to their innings as Junaid Siddique dismissed both their openers – Saim Ayub (zero) and Sahibzada Farhan (five) – in his first two overs with just nine runs on the board.

Following the double setback, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha joined experienced Fakhar Zaman in the middle, and the duo anchored the innings by putting together 61 runs for the third wicket until the former fell victim to Dhruv Prashar in the 11th over.

Agha remained a notable run-getter for Pakistan with a cautious 20 off 27 deliveries with the help of two boundaries.

Fakhar then knitted a one-sided 16-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Hasan Nawaz (three) until eventually falling victim to Simranjeet in the 14th over.

The left-handed batter remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with 50 off 36 deliveries, studded with two fours and three sixes.

Asia Cup 2025: Match Referee Andy Pycroft Apologizes to Pakistan Team and Manager

His dismissal sparked a collapse, which saw Pakistan lose three more wickets at regular intervals and consequently slip to 110/7 in 16.5 overs.

Wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris (18) then made handy contributions before Shaheen Shah Afridi’s last-over blitz bolstered Pakistan’s total past the 140-run mark.

The number nine batter smashed three fours and two sixes on his way to an unbeaten 29 off 14 deliveries.

Right-arm pacer Junaid Siddique was the pick of the bowlers for UAE, taking four wickets for just 18 runs in his four overs, followed by Simranjeet Singh with three, while Dhruv Prashar chipped in with one scalp. Earlier, In a significant development ahead of the Pakistan vs. UAE match in the Asia Cup 2025, controversial match referee Andy Pycroft has officially apologized to the Pakistan cricket team and team manager over his conduct during the high-profile Pakistan–India match held on September 14.

A video of Pycroft’s apology has also been released publicly.

According to a statement by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson, Pycroft apologized to Pakistan captain Salman Agha and the team manager for instructing them not to shake hands with the Indian team during the toss — a move that had sparked criticism and controversy.

In his apology, Andy Pycroft termed the incident a “miscommunication” and expressed regret over the misunderstanding. Despite earlier demands for his removal, Pycroft will now officiate in today’s match between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the apology and emphasized the importance of keeping politics out of cricket. He further added that the PCB had previously written to the International Cricket Council (ICC), demanding action against violations of the ICC Code of Conduct during the Pakistan–India match. Naqvi revealed that the decision to take a firm stand involved consultations at the highest levels, including with the Prime Minister of Pakistan.