New Delhi: Pakistan secured its second win in two days at the T20I Tri-Series in Dubai, defeating the hosts UAE by 31 runs on Saturday. The visitors piled up 207 for 7, their joint third-highest total in the format before restricting the home side to 176 for 7 despite a ferocious counterattack from Asif Khan.
Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz led the charge with sparkling half-centuries, laying the platform for a total that always looked beyond reach. Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali provided a late flourish, ensuring Pakistan crossed the 200 mark. In reply, UAE never quite recovered from the loss of captain Muhammed Waseem in Powerplay, though Asif’s brutal 77 off 35 balls gave the contest some late fireworks.
It was a performance that underlined Pakistan’s batting depth but also served as a reminder that their death bowling remains a concern heading into the business end of the series.
Pakistan make it two wins on the trot in the T20I tri-series 👏
📝: https://t.co/aipPO5PQS4 pic.twitter.com/AvG8JPVMCP
— ICC (@ICC) August 30, 2025
Ayub sets tone
Saim Ayub produced his most fluent knock since returning from injury earlier this year. He launched into Junaid Siddique for 22 runs in the third over and maintained a high tempo throughout the powerplay. Boundaries flowed even after field restrictions lifted with Muhammad Jawadullah suffering in particular. Ayub raced to a 25-ball fifty and eventually fell for 69 off 38 balls, controversially given out caught behind.
His dismissal slowed Pakistan momentarily but by then the run rate was firmly above nine an over. While his partners struggled for fluency, Ayub’s innings had ensured Pakistan were never behind the game.
Hasan Nawaz played a crucial role in the middle overs. The youngster dismantled UAE’s most effective bowler, Haider Ali with 18 runs in three balls to complete a brisk 38 from 22 deliveries. With wickets falling around him, Nawaz’s aggression was crucial in keeping the scoreboard moving.
Late cameos from Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali added 45 runs in the final four overs, taking Pakistan past 200 and into a position of dominance.
Asif Khan’s lone fight
UAE’s reply hinged on skipper Waseem, who blazed 33 before a mix-up cut short his stay. Once he departed, Pakistan’s spinners tightened their grip. Only Asif Khan offered real resistance smashing 77 off 35 balls with sixes to all parts. He tore into Hasan Ali, Sufiyan Muqim and Salman Mirza in a stunning late surge but the target was already out of reach.
Pakistan’s margin of victory was smaller than Afghanistan’s defeat a day earlier, meaning UAE edge ahead on net run rate. But for Babar Azam’s side, the bigger takeaway was the sustained batting firepower that has carried them to back-to-back wins.