Pakistan survive Asif Khan blitz to edge past resilient UAE in tri-series

Pakistan were made to sweat in Sharjah, but the brilliance of Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz with the bat, followed by Hasan Ali’s timely strikes, ensured they fended off a late onslaught from Asif Khan to secure a 31-run win over a spirited United Arab Emirates in the second game of the tri-series. The young duo of Ayub and Nawaz gave Pakistan’s innings its firepower, while Asif Khan’s counterattack made sure the contest stayed alive till the end.

Pakistan, coming off a convincing 39-run victory against Afghanistan in the series opener, looked intent on flexing their batting depth again. Saim Ayub lit up the night with a stroke-filled 69 off 38 balls, launching seven boundaries and four sixes to set the tone.

UAE tri-series, Match 2, UAE vs Pakistan Highlights

He brought up his fifty in just 25 deliveries, a mark of his authority in the powerplay. His dismissal, however, didn’t slow Pakistan as Hasan Nawaz muscled his way to 56 off just 26 deliveries, reaching his half-century in 24 balls. The youngster mixed clean straight hits with audacious pulls to lift Pakistan to a daunting 207.

Asif Khan plays a blinder

UAE’s response began brightly through skipper Muhammad Waseem, whose 33 off 18 balls gave the hosts early momentum. But Pakistan chipped away, and at 76 for five, the chase seemed dead. That was when Asif Khan entered the stage.

The middle-order batter turned the game on its head with a breathtaking 77 from 35 balls, racing to his fifty in only 25 deliveries. His six sixes and fearless stroke-making rattled Pakistan’s attack and had the Sharjah crowd buzzing with the possibility of an upset.

It was Hasan Ali who finally broke through, dismissing Asif in the 19th over to finish with three wickets, while Mohammad Nawaz’s tidy spell (2 for 21) had earlier applied the brakes. UAE closed on 176 for eight, short of the target but not without pride.

Brief Scores

Pakistan: 136/8 in 20 overs. Saim Ayub 69, Hasan Nawaz 56; Saghir Khan 3/44, Junaid Siddiqui 3/49

UAE: 138/2 in 13.3 overs. Asif Khan 77, Muhammad Waseem 33; Hasan Ali 3/47, Mohammad Nawaz 2/21,

Result: Pakistan beat UAE by 31 runs.