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Fakhar Zaman Flops; Saim, Nawaz, Step Up To Save Face For Pakistan In UAE Clash

Soumyajit Dutta

Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub [Source: @HuzaifaKhan021/X.com]Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub [Source: @HuzaifaKhan021/X.com]

In the second T20 of the UAE Tri-Series 2025, Pakistan defeated the United Arab Emirates by 31 runs in an action-packed contest at Dubai. The Men in Green piled up a massive 207 before restricting the hosts to 176, taking two straight win lead in the series. Despite Asif Khan’s sensational knock, UAE fell short in the final overs.

Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz Power Pakistan To 207

Opting to bat, Pakistan lost Sahibzada Farhan early when Junaid Siddique dismissed him in the first over. Fakhar Zaman too departed cheaply, but opener Saim Ayub steadied the innings with a blistering 69 off just 38 deliveries, smashing 7 fours and 4 sixes. He found a crucial partner in young Hasan Nawaz, who lit up the ground with a breathtaking 56 from 26 balls at a strike rate of 215.

Captain Agha Salman (5) and Mohammad Haris (1) could not contribute much, but Mohammad Nawaz kept the scoreboard ticking with a handy 25 from 15. Faheem Ashraf (16 off 10) and Hasan Ali (9 off 6) added late fireworks as Pakistan crossed the 200-run mark. UAE’s bowling attack struggled for control, with Muhammad Saghir Khan and Junaid Siddique sharing six wickets but conceding heavily.

Asif Khan Fights Hard But UAE Fall Short

Chasing 208, UAE got off to a shaky start as Mohammad Zuhaib (13) fell in the fifth over and captain Muhammad Waseem, after a brisk 33 off 18, was run out soon after. The top order crumbled further as Ethan Carl D’Souza (3), Alishan Sharafu (3), and Rahul Chopra (11) all departed cheaply, leaving the hosts at 76 for 5.

Amid the collapse, Asif Khan played one of the most entertaining knocks of the series. He hammered 77 off just 35 balls with 6 fours and 6 sixes, reviving UAE’s hopes. He stitched a fighting stand with Dhruv Parashar (15) but fell in the penultimate over to Hasan Ali, ending the chase.

Pakistan’s bowlers held their nerve in the death overs. Mohammad Nawaz was the pick of the attack with 2 for 21 in 4 overs, while Hasan Ali claimed 3 wickets. UAE eventually folded at 176 for 8 in 20 overs, falling short by 31 runs despite Asif Khan’s brilliance.