NEW DELHI: Amid all the drama, chaos, and delays surrounding Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign, the team finally made it to the Dubai International Stadium to take on the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday. Despite a late start and the lingering controversy from their group-stage loss to India and the handshake saga, Pakistan delivered a strong all-round performance, securing a comfortable 41-run victory and booking their place in the Super Four.With this win, Pakistan not only progress to the Super Four but also set up a high-stakes rematch against India on Sunday at the same venue, promising another thrilling contest.The match started an hour late as Pakistan threatened a pull-out after the handshake fiasco during the previous game against India before Salman Agha’s team climbed down and showed up for the game.Put into bat, Pakistan had a shaky start. Saim Ayub fell without scoring, followed shortly by Sahibzada Farhan, leaving the team reeling at 9 for 2 inside the second over. Fakhar Zaman and Salman Agha tried to stabilise the innings, but wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals. Fakhar made a valiant 50, while captain Salman Agha contributed 20 before falling to Dhruv Parashar.Shaheen Afridi’s late hitting proved decisive, finishing unbeaten on 29 and guiding Pakistan to a defendable total of 146 for 9 in 20 overs. Afridi had previously impressed with 33 not out, including four sixes, against India.Junaid Siddique starred with the ball for UAE, picking up four vital wickets for 34 runs, while Simranjeet Singh claimed three more.Chasing 147, UAE tried to adopt a cautious approach to avoid another low total, but their slow scoring made the target unrealistic. Rahul Chopra (35) and Dhruv Parashar (20) added 48 for the fourth wicket, but it wasn’t enough. Pakistan maintained control throughout, and from 85 for 3 after 14 overs, UAE collapsed to 105 all out in 17.4 overs.
