Pakistan booked their place in the final of the T20I tri-nation series after defeating hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 32 runs in a crucial clash at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
The victory, powered by Fakhar Zaman's unbeaten half-century and Abrar Ahmed's match-winning four-wicket haul, ensured Pakistan's progression to the summit clash alongside Afghanistan.
With this win, Pakistan wrapped up the group stage at the top of the table with six points from four matches. Afghanistan, sitting second with two points in three games, also qualified for Sunday's final, while UAE, winless in their campaign, bowed out of the competition.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan faced an early wobble. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub provided a brisk start, putting on 28 runs in just three overs. However, Farhan's departure for 16 triggered a mini-collapse. By the 12th over, Pakistan were reeling at 80/5, with UAE bowlers Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, and Muhammad Jawadullah striking in quick intervals.
Just when the innings seemed to be slipping away, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz steadied the ship with a blistering 97-run partnership. Fakhar led the charge with a spectacular unbeaten 77 off 44 balls, laced with ten fours and two sixes. Nawaz provided vital support, scoring 37 from 27 deliveries, hitting three boundaries and two sixes. Their stand lifted Pakistan to a competitive total of 171/5 in the allotted 20 overs.
Chasing 172, UAE began confidently with openers Alishan Sharafu and skipper Muhammad Waseem taking the score to 41/0 inside the powerplay. However, Abrar Ahmed struck immediately after the field restrictions, dismissing Waseem for 19. The breakthrough triggered a dramatic collapse as the hosts slipped from 41/0 to 102/5 by the 15th over.
Sharafu stood firm amid the chaos, compiling a fighting 68 from 51 balls, featuring four sixes and four boundaries. His dismissal to Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 17th over ended UAE's faint hopes of a comeback. Apart from Sharafu, only Dhruv Parashar (18 not out) and Haider Ali (12) reached double figures, as the rest of the lineup struggled to cope with Pakistan's disciplined attack.
Abrar Ahmed was the star performer with the ball, producing a stunning spell of 4/9 in four overs. His control and variations left UAE batters bamboozled. Shaheen Shah Afridi added one wicket, while other bowlers kept the pressure tight throughout the innings.
In the end, UAE managed 140/7 in 20 overs, falling well short of the target.