Pakistan built a competitive total thanks to a late flurry in their innings, scoring 42 runs in the last two overs with nine boundaries off the final ten balls, setting up a strong platform for victory.
Chasing 171, Pakistan had been in trouble at 80 for 5 in the 12th over. It was then that Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz combined in an explosive partnership to stabilize the innings. Their 51-ball unbeaten 91-run stand is now Pakistan’s highest for the sixth wicket or lower in T20 internationals, surpassing the previous record of 82 runs by Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan against South Africa in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Fakhar remained unbeaten on 77 off 44 balls, hitting 10 fours and 2 sixes, while Nawaz contributed an unbeaten 37 off 27 balls, with 3 fours and 2 sixes.
Despite their heroics, the Man of the Match award went to leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who claimed 4 wickets for just 9 runs in 4 overs on his debut in the series. At 26 years old, this marks the best bowling performance of his career, surpassing his previous best of 3 wickets for 19 against Bangladesh in Lahore last May.
Earlier, UAE opener Alishan Sharafu top-scored with 68 off 51 balls, but none of his teammates made a significant contribution. UAE had a steady start, reaching 41 without loss in the powerplay, but the middle order collapsed once Abrar struck. He removed Muhammad Wasim, Asif Khan, Rahul Chopra, and Harshit Kaushik, ensuring Pakistan stayed in control.
Chasing 172, UAE never recovered. Dhruv Parasher made 18* off 15 balls, but it was too little too late.
Earlier in the innings, Pakistan lost early wickets as Shahibzada Farhan (16 off 11) and Syem Ayub (11) fell cheaply. Mohammad Haris scored 14 off 17, while captain Salman Ali and Hasan Nawaz failed to reach double digits. With five wickets down, the Fakhar-Nawaz partnership rescued the innings. Aided by some fielding lapses from UAE, they turned 38 and 13-run reprieves into a spectacular finish. Nawaz smashed three fours and a six in the 19th over, and Fakhar cleared the ropes five times in the final over bowled by Muhammad Jawadullah.
For UAE, Junaid Siddique achieved a personal milestone, claiming his 100th T20 wicket in this format, becoming the first UAE bowler to reach the mark.
With this win by 31 runs, Pakistan advance to the final of the tri-nation T20 series, while Afghanistan also secures their spot. UAE exit the tournament with three consecutive defeats.
Brief Scores
- Pakistan: 171/5 in 20 overs (Fakhar 77*, Mohammad Nawaz 37*, Shahibzada 16; Junaid 1/52, Abrar 4/9)
- UAE: 140/7 in 20 overs (Sharafu 68; Abrar 4/9)
Result: Pakistan won by 31 runs
Man of the Match: Abrar Ahmed
