Pakistan Shaheens continued their dominant run in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025, securing a commanding nine-wicket win over the UAE in their final Group B match at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Fifteen Militants Killed in Two Security Operations in KP
Chasing a modest target of 51, Pakistan sealed victory in just 5.2 overs, losing only one wicket along the way. The only early setback came when Mohammad Rohid removed Mohammad Naeem for six off five balls.
Maaz Sadaqat and Ghazi Ghori ensured Pakistan faced no further trouble, putting together an unbeaten 50-run stand for the second wicket. Sadaqat led the charge with an explosive 37 not out from 15 balls, smashing four fours and three sixes, while Ghori contributed a steady 16 off 12 deliveries, hitting three boundaries.
Earlier, UAE’s innings never gained momentum. Sent in to bat, they suffered a dramatic collapse inside the powerplay.
Shahid Aziz struck with the first ball of the match to dismiss Ahmed Tariq for a duck. Captain Alishan Sharafu followed soon after, trapped LBW for three by Arafat Minhas. Sohaib Khan’s struggle ended on two off 14 balls when Ahmed Daniyal removed him, leaving UAE reeling at 15-3.
The slide continued as Sufiyan Muqeem dismissed Harshit Kaushik for five, before Sadaqat broke a brief partnership by removing Syed Haider for 20. Daniyal struck again to send Muhammad Arfan back without scoring, and Mohammad Shahzad added to the damage by removing Yayin Kiran Rai for seven.
Muqeem returned in the 14th over to take two wickets in two balls—Muhammad Farooq and Mohammad Rohid—reducing UAE to 50-9. Sadaqat then wrapped up the innings by dismissing Muhammad Jawadullah, the side bowled out for 50 in 18 overs.
Muqeem emerged as the standout bowler with figures of 3 for 12 from four overs. Sadaqat and Daniyal claimed two wickets each, while Aziz, Shahzad, and Minhas picked up one apiece.
With the emphatic win, Pakistan Shaheens topped Group B unbeaten, finishing with six points and a strong net run rate of 4.560.
