Tri Series: Pakistan to face UAE today after Afghanistan setback

SHARJAH: Pakistan are back on the field today in the T20I Tri-Series as they face hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Sharjah, eager to shake off the disappointment of their defeat to Afghanistan and regain momentum ahead of Sunday’s final.

Despite sitting atop the points table, Pakistan’s 18-run loss to Afghanistan has reignited questions about their ability to handle pressure in crunch situations. In that game, Pakistan faltered in their chase of 170 despite late heroics from Shaheen Afridi, underscoring once again the inconsistency that has plagued them in recent months.

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Against the UAE, however, Pakistan will take confidence from their earlier batting show, when they racked up 207 runs. Saim Ayub blazed his way to 69 while Hasan Nawaz struck a rapid 56, showcasing the team’s attacking intent. Yet, a late collapse saw them bowled out in the final over, an area the team management will want to address quickly.

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The UAE, while conceding over 200, found encouragement in their bowling attack, with Junaid Siddique and Saghir Khan each claiming three wickets. Their captain Muhammad Waseem, alongside the likes of Asif Khan and Ethan D’Souza, adds depth to their batting order. The challenge, however, will be standing firm against Pakistan’s fast-bowling arsenal. With Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf rested in the previous game, Pakistan may opt to rotate again or unleash their pace duo to test UAE’s resilience.

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For Pakistan, today’s match offers more than just two points, it’s a chance to fine-tune combinations, restore confidence, and set the tone for the final. For UAE, a home upset could turn the tournament on its head, breathing life into their campaign and thrilling their supporters in Sharjah.

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The game begins at 7pm local time, and 8pm PST.

Pakistan squad

Salman Agha (captain), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim.

UAE 15-member squad

The UAE squad includes Muhammad Waseem, Asif Khan, Rahul Chopra, Aryansh Sharma, Ethan D’Souza, Alishan Sharafu, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Farooq, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid, Muhammad Zohaib, and Saghir Khan.