Pakistan defeated the United Arab Emirates by a hard-fought 41 runs in a pivotal Group A match of the Asia Cup 2025, guaranteeing their place in the Super Four stage. Even though Pakistan’s batting effort was erratic and they only managed to score 146/9, their bowlers—led by the outstanding Abrar Ahmed—stepped up to the plate.
The UAE’s pursuit was stalled and a resounding victory was secured thanks to the young mystery spinner from Pakistan’s astoundingly economical session, which was a masterclass in T20 bowling. The foundation of Pakistan’s defense was his statistics: 4 overs, 0 maidens, 13 runs, and 2 wickets at an economy rate of just 3.25.
A Wobbly Start For Pakistan’s Batters
After winning the toss and choosing to field, the UAE bowlers carried out their strategies flawlessly in the first few overs. Under the leadership of the brilliant Junaid Siddique, who took four wickets for only eighteen runs, they tore through Pakistan’s top order. Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan, the openers, both lost for single-digit scores, leaving the Men in Green in a vulnerable position.
The veteran Fakhar Zaman contributed a solid half-century to bring some stability, and Shaheen Afridi’s late appearance raised Pakistan’s total to a comfortable 146. The UAE was thought to have a good chance of reaching the target despite the late surge on a surface that aided both pacers and spinners.
Abrar Ahmed’s Magical Spell
The UAE started chasing, hoping to take advantage of the momentum their bowlers had established. Nevertheless, they encountered a well-organized and formidable bowling attack from Pakistan. Although the pacers, such as Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi, took early wickets, the addition of spin was what really made the difference.
Abrar Ahmed, who is frequently praised as Pakistan’s “mystery spinner,” gained prominence. Working in the middle overs, when batters usually try to speed up, Abrar was a model of accuracy and control. He constantly landed the ball on a solid length and changed up his pace and trajectory, making it hard for the UAE hitters to get under his deliveries. When he outwitted the dangerous UAE captain Muhammad Waseem and was caught by a diving Mohammad Nawaz, it was his first significant breakthrough. Given that Waseem was the key to any meaningful pursuit, this wicket was vital.
Abrar kept applying pressure by preventing easy runs and pressuring the hitters to make errors. His 3.25 economy rate demonstrated his ability to stifle the flow of runs, a crucial talent in the T20 format. The UAE’s chances of a late comeback were dashed when he bowled the in-form Asif Khan for a duck in the 15th over with a faster delivery that didn’t turn much. It was his most crucial scalp.
Effects & Repercussions
Abrar Ahmed’s and the other Pakistani bowlers’ combined pressure was too much for the United Arab Emirates. Because the middle order was unable to form any meaningful partnerships, wickets fell frequently. Although Rahul Chopra and Dhruv Parashar’s partnership provided some opposition, it was never sufficient to constitute a significant danger. Abrar’s miserly session ensured that the necessary run rate continued to rise, which caused the batters to become desperate and ultimately lead to their downfall. His two wickets were a direct result of such pressure.
Pakistan’s victory by 41 runs was ultimately decisive, but it was primarily due to their bowling discipline and Abrar Ahmed’s particular genius. Their spot in the Super Four was guaranteed with the victory, which also set up the eagerly awaited rematch with bitter rivals India.
Not only did Abrar Ahmed’s performance against the UAE demonstrate his increasing significance to the Pakistani team, but it also made it clear to their future opponents that their spin assault is a formidable force. Abrar Ahmed has been an important tool for Pakistan in their pursuit of the Asia Cup championship because of his economical bowling and capacity to perform well under duress.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: Shaheen Afridi’s All-Round Brilliance Takes Pakistan To Dominant Win Over UAE