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SHARJAH: Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz’s brisk knock followed by Mohammad Nawaz’s clinical spell powered Pakistan to a 31-run victory over the UAE in the second match of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
In pursuit of a daunting 208-run target, UAE could only muster 176-8 in their allocated 20 overs.
The hosts started strongly in the chase, with openers laying a solid foundation with a brisk 39-run stand in just 4.1 overs.
However, Mohammad Nawaz removed Muhammad Zohaib, who made 13 from 14 deliveries. Meanwhile, Mohammad Waseem continued the charge from one end.
Pakistan roared back with successive strikes in the last over of play as dangerous Waseem ran himself out, whereas Ethan D’Souza followed his next ball.
Thus, the UAE were reduced to 54-3 in the first six overs, and with those wickets, Pakistan sparked a collapse which left the hosts in dire straits.
UAE were 79-4 in 10 overs with Asif Khan and Dhruv Parashar at the crease. The pair steadied the innings with a 54-run partnership with the former taking the core aggressor role.
Asif played a valiant knock but it was not enough as he was removed in the last over with. He played a scintillating knock off 77 runs from just 35 balls, an innings featuring half a dozen fours and sixes.
For Pakistan, Hasan Ali picked up three wickets whereas Mohammad Nawaz was clinical with his two wickets.
Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz’s imposing knocks powered Pakistan to a commanding total.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan were bowled for 207 on the last ball of the final over.
UAE struck early as Sahibazada Farhan (8) was castled in the opening over. Despite the wicket, Pakistan upped the ante, scoring briskly until Fakhar Zaman’s departure.
Zaman (6) was bowled by left-arm spinner Haider Ali. As a result, Pakistan were reduced to 38.2 in 3.1 overs. However, Saim Ayub scored briskly and steadied the Green Shirts’ innings.
Meanwhile, the UAE struck at regular intervals, but it was unable to prevent Pakistan from scoring big. The previous match, half-century maker Salman Ali Agha (6) could not get going this time as he was caught behind.
Consequently, Pakistan were reduced to 74-3 in 7.5 overs. Meanwhile, Saim Ayub continued the charge and reached his fourth T20I half-century in the process.
He eventually departed on the third ball of the 12th over after playing an impressive knock which included four sixes and seven fours. At this stage, Pakistan were 104-4.
Following his departure, Hasan Nawaz upped the ante with a powerful knock. The right-hander batter tonked Haider Ali for three sixes in the over before getting dismissed.
He made 56 from 26 balls laced with half a dozen towering sixes and two fours.
For UAE, Saghir Khan and Junaid Siddique picked up three wickets each.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Salman Mirza, Sufiyan Muqeem
UAE: Muhammad Zohaib, Muhammad Waseem, Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra, Ethan DSouza, Dhruv Parashar, Saghir Khan, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah
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