After the boycott drama ended in a delayed start, a disorganized Pakistan defeated the UAE by 41 runs in the Asia Cup Group A game to advance to the Super Four Stage at Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday.
The match, which was scheduled to start at 6:30 pm, began at 7:30 pm with the UAE winning the toss and choosing to field.
Pakistan, under immense pressure to win the match following the boycott drama over their demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft for his handling of the handshake controversy in the game against India, struggled with the bat.
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Salman Agha’s team was in deep trouble at 93 for six in the 16th over despite Fakhar Zaman’s 50 off 36 balls.
However, a brilliant cameo from number nine, Shaheen Shah Afridi (29 not out off 14 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) saved Pakistan from embarrassment as they managed to post a fighting total of 146 for nine on the board.
For the UAE, Pakistan-born pacer Junaid Siddique (4-0-18-4) and left-arm spinner Simranjit Singh (4-0-26-3) were outstanding with the ball.
But the UAE’s batting lineup failed to meet the challenge as the home side collapsed to 105 all out in what was a predictable end to what threatened to be a very unpredictable day.
