Pakistan Shaheens continued their flawless campaign in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025, clinching a resounding nine-wicket win over the UAE in their final Group B match at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Chasing a modest target, Pakistan made light work of the UAE’s total, reaching the required runs in just 5.2 overs while losing only one wicket. The only early setback came when Mohammad Rohid dismissed Mohammad Naeem for six off five balls. However, Maaz Sadaqat and Ghazi Ghori swiftly settled the chase, forming an unbroken 50-run partnership for the second wicket to guide Pakistan to victory.
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Sadaqat played a blistering knock of 37 not out from just 15 balls, featuring four boundaries and three sixes. Ghori provided solid support, contributing 16 off 12 balls, including three fours.
Earlier, the UAE struggled to build any momentum after being put in to bat. They lost three wickets within the first six overs of the power play, with opening batter Ahmed Tariq falling for a first-ball duck to Shahid Aziz. Captain Alishan Sharafu was dismissed for just three, trapped LBW by Arafat Minhas, and Sufiyan Muqeem struck again to remove Harshit Kaushik for five.
The UAE’s troubles continued as Sadaqat removed Syed Haider (20 off 19) and Daniyal claimed the wicket of Muhammad Arfan for a duck. Mohammad Shahzad joined in, sending Yayin Kiran Rai back for seven.
The UAE’s collapse deepened when Muqeem returned in the 14th over, taking two quick wickets in consecutive balls—Muhammad Farooq and Muhammad Rohid—to reduce the UAE to 50-9.
Sadaqat sealed the UAE’s fate by removing Muhammad Jawadullah, and the UAE were all out for just 50 in 18 overs.
Muqeem was the standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 3/12 from his four overs. Sadaqat and Daniyal each claimed two wickets, while Aziz, Shahzad, and Minhas picked up one wicket apiece.
With this emphatic victory, Pakistan Shaheens ended their group stage campaign with a perfect record of three wins from three matches, topping Group B with six points and an impressive net run rate of 4.560.