New Delhi, September 18 (HS):

An unusual day unfolded at the Asia Cup in Dubai on Wednesday, where for long stretches it seemed as though no cricket would be played at all. The match began an hour late, with the UAE side appearing poised for a historic Super Four berth. In the end, however, Pakistan pulled off a gripping turnaround to book a blockbuster clash against India on September 21.

Pakistan’s afternoon was marked by uncertainty as the team waited at their hotel for a clearance from Lahore. On the field, they found themselves in dire straits at 114/7. But a blazing knock from Shaheen Afridi — 29 off just 14 balls — lifted them to 146, a total initially considered well below par. That score, however, proved enough thanks to Pakistan’s incisive bowling and electric fielding.

Fakhar Zaman anchored the innings with a crucial 50, while Haris Rauf staged an impressive comeback, grabbing two key wickets. Mohammad Nawaz’s sharp fielding and a stunning catch turned the tide, as Pakistan dismantled UAE’s chase. In a dramatic collapse, the Emirati side lost six wickets for just 20 runs in the closing overs.

For UAE, pacer Junaid Siddique shone with four wickets, while spinner Simranjeet Singh tested Pakistan with his variations. Captain Mohammad Waseem achieved a remarkable personal milestone, becoming the highest run-scorer in T20 internationals among Associate nations. Yet, his team fell short of what could have been a historic win.

Defending 146/9, Pakistan etched its name in the record books, securing the third-lowest successfully defended total in Asia Cup T20 history. Shaheen Afridi, with contributions in both batting and bowling, stood out as the game’s decisive force.

With this nail-biting victory, Pakistan has sealed its Super Four spot — setting the stage for the tournament’s most anticipated showdown against India, a battle widely seen as the real test of this Asia Cup.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar