Asia Cup 2025 – Pakistan vs UAE Match Preview

United Arab Emirates

Pakistan

Tomorrow • 7:30 PM • Match yet to begin

Summary

Bruised Pakistan take on UAE in knockout clash
Winner joins India in Super Four round from Group A; loser exits the Asia Cup

Big picture

One of the two teams – either UAE or two-time champions Pakistan – will be eliminated on Wednesday. Both sides beat Oman comfortably and lost to India heavily, making their fixture in Dubai a knockout game: the winner joins India in the Super Four, while the loser exits.

Pakistan are favoured to win, having beaten UAE twice over the past fortnight during the recent tri-series in Sharjah. However, UAE appeared to have the upper hand at times and their inability to sustain these sparks separated them from the Full Member side.

Pakistan have also had consistency issues. Against India on Sunday, they had what their coach Mike Hesson called a bad day. They’ve racked up wins against weaker opposition but were outmatched against India. Either way, Pakistan should have enough skill and power to defeat UAE. Their slower bowlers might be what separates the two sides.

UAE’s rise

The UAE, meanwhile, have seen their stature grow. They defeated Oman, racking up a higher total than Pakistan managed. Their slightly wayward bowling attack will need some quick fine-tuning ahead of their final group fixture, but they would have taken a one-match shootout against a bruised Pakistan at the start of this tournament.

UAE’s top-heavy batting order is key. Captain Muhammad Waseem has been in form, with a 54-ball 69 against Oman. Alishan Sharafu has joined him at the top, and Asif Khan has been promoted to number three.

The UAE will need their spinners to be pitch perfect. Haider Ali leads the spin pack and took 2 for 22 on Monday. Waseem has also talked up offspinner Dhruv Parashar’s ability.

Form guide

Pakistan: L W W W L (last five completed matches)
UAE: W L L L L

In the spotlight

Fakhar Zaman can be impossible to rein in on his day. He smashed an unbeaten 77 off 44 the last time these sides met. While his form has been mixed, UAE will sense his vulnerability at the top.

Asif Khan announced himself with a 35-ball 77 against Pakistan in August. However, his form since has been inconsistent.

Team news

Pakistan (possible): Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed.

UAE (possible): Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Waseem (capt), Muhammad Zohaib, Asif Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Rahul Chopra (wk), Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Jawadullah, Junaid Siddique.

Pitch and conditions

No sign of the hot and humid weather abating. The pitch is expected to offer plenty of assistance to the slower bowlers.

Stats and trivia

Pakistan have lost six matches across the men’s T20 Asia Cups — second most defeats for any team, only Hong Kong losing more.
Across all Asia Cup formats, Pakistan’s 26 defeats are also the second most, surpassed only by Bangladesh’s 44.
UAE captain Muhammad Waseem brought up 3000 T20I runs on Monday, more than any current Pakistan player.

Asia Cup 2025 Points Table