Sports Desk
Pakistan reached T20I tri-nation series final after grabbing a 32-run victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following Fakhar Zaman’s half-century fifty and spinner Abrar Ahmed’s four-wicket haul in today’s match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Pakistan finished with six points in four matches, while UAE remained at the bottom with zero points in as many games and thus were knocked out of the final contention.
As a result, Afghanistan, placed second on the points table with two points in three matches also booked their spot in the summit clash, scheduled to be played at the same venue on Sunday.
Chasing a daunting 172-run target, the hosts could only accumulate 140/7 in 20 overs despite opening batter Alishan Sharafu’s half-century.
UAE got off to a decent start to the pursuit as their opening pair of Sharafu and skipper Muhammad Waseem took the total to 41/0 in six overs.
Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed gave Pakistan a much-needed breakthrough on the first delivery of the seventh over when he got rid of UAE captain Waseem, who scored a run-a-ball 19.
His dismissal sparked a collapse which saw the hosts lose wickets at an alarming rate and consequently slipped to 102/5 in 15 overs.
Sharafu, who ticked the scoreboard singlehandedly during the collapse, eventually fell victim to Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 17th over. He remained the top scorer with a 51-ball 68 with the help of four sixes and as many fours.
Besides the opening pair, only Dhruv Parashar (18 not out) and Haider Ali (12) could amass double figures, while the rest struggled against Abrar-led Pakistan bowling attack.
