Pakistan secured a rematch with arch-rivals India after defeating the United Arab Emirates by 41 runs in their Asia Cup encounter in Dubai.

The game began an hour late, still overshadowed by the fallout from Sunday’s fiery clash between Pakistan and India. But with this latest win, Pakistan confirmed their place in the Super Four stage, where they will once again meet India on Sunday in Dubai.

Pakistan’s innings got off to a shaky start after a period of pre-match uncertainty. They were quickly reduced to 9-2, with UAE pacer Junaid Siddique delivering a stellar spell that saw him claim 4-18, including both openers. Among his scalps was Saim Ayub, dismissed for a duck for the third time in five innings.

Fakhar Zaman provided some much-needed stability, hitting 50 off 36 balls, but his dismissal triggered another collapse as Pakistan stumbled to 93-6.

Mirroring their previous encounter against India, it was a late surge from Shaheen Afridi that added respectability to the total. Afridi smashed three sixes in a quickfire 29 off 14 deliveries, helping Pakistan reach 146-9.

Afridi then made an early breakthrough with the ball, removing a UAE batsman during the powerplay and sparking a top-order collapse that left the Emirati side struggling at 37-3.

A resilient 48-run stand between Rahul Chopra and Dhruv Parashar offered a glimmer of hope for the UAE. However, as the required run rate climbed steadily, both batsmen fell in quick succession, triggering a collapse that ended with the UAE being bowled out for 105 in the 18th over.

Source: BBC Sport

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