Well, Pakistan find a way to survive and qualify for the Super Fours. What does that mean? Another India-Pakistan clash, but there is some time for that, on Sunday, 21st September, 2025. Tough luck for UAE. They have played really well not only in this series, but in the tri-series prior to this series as well. Of course, there was a blip against India, but that happens to everyone. They will go off this tournament with their heads held high and lots of learnings. Coming to Thursday, 18th September, 2025, we move to Abu Dhabi. Group A is done in terms of qualification but match 11 presents an interesting case. Afghanistan take on Sri Lanka. A win will take the Afghans through while a loss will take Bangladesh through! Not officially confirmed, but an excellent run rate puts Sri Lanka unofficially into the next round. That should be a craker of a contest. The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 2.30 pm GMT but our buildup will begin well in advance. So do tune in early. In the meanwhile, you can catch all the action from the Zimbabwe-Namibia T20I series. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

The victorious skipper of Pakistan, SALMAN AGHA, cannot hide his glee. He expresses satisfaction with the victory and advancement to the next round. However, he acknowledged that the team needs to improve its batting performance, crediting the bowlers for their current success in the tournament. Agha praised Shaheen, calling him a match-winner whose all-round skills are crucial to the team's success. He also highlighted Abrar's match-winning ability, noting that he can change the course of any game from any situation. When asked about the upcoming match against India, Agha emphasized that the team is focused on its own performance rather than worrying about others. He confidently stated that if Pakistan plays to its potential, it can win against any team.

The captain of United Arab Emirates, Muhammad Waseem, is up for a chat now. On being asked about the feeling in the camp at the halfway stage, he credits the bowlers for restricting Pakistan to a low total. Admits that they lost the game because of ordinary batting. Points that they were still there in the chase till the 15th - 16th over, but then lost wickets one after the other. Stresses that they need to take the responsibility and bat till the end. Tells that they need to learn and move forward. Highlights that it has been good playing against opponents like India and Pakistan and have learnt a lot as a team from them as well.

Pakistan's SHAHEEN AFRIDI has been adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for his all-round show of an unbeaten 29 (14) with the bat and 2/16 in 3 overs with the ball. When asked about his batting, Shaheen credited his hard work in the nets, saying it was satisfying to see his efforts pay off in the match. Shaheen expressed his team's enthusiasm for the upcoming games, stating that they are looking forward to the next matches after this victory. He emphasized his simple yet effective batting approach, saying he plays every ball on its merit without changing his strategy. Regarding his successful bowling spell, Shaheen explained that he looks to exploit the swing early on and attacks the stumps, an approach that has worked well for him so far.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the game. United Arab Emirates chose to field, perhaps because of the dew and bowled really well, keeping Pakistan on the mat. Fakhar Zaman's 50 was the only standout, till the 18th over, post which, Shaheen Afridi came out all guns blazing, just like he did against India and his whirlwind unbeaten 29 (14) helped Pakistan amass 28 runs in the last 2 overs. Junaid Siddique bowled his heart out, picking up 4/18 in 4 overs while Simranjeet Singh kept Pakistan quiet in the middle overs, with 3 wickets. However, the efforts still proved short. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

Full marks to Pakistan with the ball. They lacked self belief against India but in this game, they were full of belief. They came out to the middle believing that they can defend 146 and made that 146 look like 176. Shaheen Afridi set the tone early, removing Alishan Sharafu in his second over, eventually finishing with 2/16 in 3 overs. Barring Mohammad Nawaz, the rest then stepped up, with Abrar Ahmed finishing another meagre spell of 2/13 in 4 overs. Not to forget Haris Rauf, who was missed in that India game, picking up 2 wickets in this one. There was no let up of pressure at all.

UAE got off to a great start with the bat, racing to 35/1 at the end of the 4th over. Clearly, they wanted to maximize the fielding restrictions and the new ball, but once skipper Muhammad Waseem departed, the runs simply stopped flowing. Rahul Chopra and Dhruv Parashar tried to stitch things together and got a 48-run partnership but that came in 51 balls. Eventually, the pressure crept up and after that stand was broken, despite the platform being set, the pitch got too difficult for the new batters to bat quickly. Like Pakistan, United Arab Emirates also had only 4 batters in double digits but no one to bat deep and till the end.

This match had all the essence of a red-carpet event. One team refusing to take part till around an hour before the scheduled start of play, then turns up with the match start being delayed by an hour. Then, that team in the news huffs and puffs to an under-150 score, with a number 9 being the second highest scorer of the innings. At the halfway stage, nearly half the world calling this an early exit for Pakistan. However, that's why they are Pakistan, isn't it? Just when it seems like they are done for, they somehow turn things around from nowhere.

The United Arab Emirates just cannot find the zip to get past Pakistan. Gave a good fight in the tri-series in 2 matches, improving themselves and in this contest, fought really hard with the ball, giving themselves a great chance of an upset. Unfortunately for them, their batting simply did not support enough. That's the 6th loss on the trot for the Arabs in T20Is, while batting second. The last time they won a match chasing was against Nigeria, in July 2025.

Muhammad Rohid is the last batter in, replacing Haider Ali.

Direct hit! This looks close. Sahibzada Farhan was the fielder. Oh dear. Gone by a long margin, is Simranjeet Singh.

United Arab Emirates need another 44 from 18 balls. Pakistan scored 36 in their last 3 overs. Haris Rauf is back on. 2-0-17-1 so far.

Caught behind! Is it? Afridi feels so, but the umpire has not given it. Agha has taken the review this time. And yes, UltraEdge detects a spike when the ball is close to the glove!