Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) face off in the second match of the T20I Tri-Series on August 30, 2025, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. After Pakistan’s commanding win over Afghanistan in the series opener, both teams will look to assert their dominance in this crucial contest that also serves as preparation for Asia Cup 2025.
Venue and Pitch Conditions
Sharjah has traditionally favored balanced cricket, offering assistance to both batsmen and bowlers. The pitch here usually stays true with predictable bounce, supporting stroke play but also allowing pacers and spinners to extract some movement and spin, especially later in the innings. Evening games often see some swing for the bowlers due to dew factors, making the toss and bowling first an important strategic consideration.
Recent Form and Head-to-Head
Pakistan are in good rhythm, boasting a 39-run victory over Afghanistan by defending 182 runs in their opening encounter. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by fast bowler Haris Rauf, picked up crucial wickets, supported by Shaheen Afridi and the all-round capabilities of Mohammad Nawaz.
UAE enter the match on the back of a positive spell, having performed well in the Pearl of Africa T20I Series with four wins out of six matches. They carry confidence after a historic T20I series triumph against Bangladesh earlier. Despite no prior T20 international clashes against Pakistan, the hosts will be keen to capitalize on their home conditions to steal a win in this tri-series.
| Team | Recent Form (Last 5 Matches) |
|---|---|
| Pakistan | W W L W W |
| UAE | L W W W L |
Probable Playing XIs
Pakistan
- Salman Ali Agha (c)
- Fakhar Zaman
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Khushdil Shah
- Mohammad Haris (wk)
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Saim Ayub
- Hasan Ali
- Haris Rauf
- Hasan Nawaz
- Shaheen Afridi (rested in previous game, may or may not play here)
Fresh inclusions include Hasan Ali and Salman Mirza, while the big-hitting pace bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf were rested in the last match to manage workload.
United Arab Emirates
- Muhammad Waseem (c)
- Haider Ali
- Rahul Chopra
- Ethan D’Souza
- Muhammad Farooq
- Muhammad Jawadullah
- Harshit Kaushik
- Asif Khan
- Rohid Khan
- Saghir Khan
- Junaid Siddique
UAE’s bowling arsenal features pace spearheaded by Junaid Siddique and spinners Haider Ali and Rohid Khan. Batting relies heavily on captain Muhammad Waseem’s leadership and form.
Key Battles to Watch
Salman Ali Agha vs UAE Pacers
Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha set the stage with an unbeaten 53 in the opening match. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate later will be key, especially against the sharp pace of Junaid Siddique and Muhammad Jawadullah, who have shown skill in the death overs.
Hasan Ali vs Muhammad Waseem
Hasan Ali’s experience and swing bowling will be tested against UAE’s in-form batsman Muhammad Waseem, who has been crucial for the hosts with several high-impact knocks. Hasan’s ability to deliver under pressure might be decisive in breaking partnerships.
Spin Contest
The presence of Mohammad Nawaz for Pakistan and spinners Haider Ali and Rohid Khan for UAE adds an intriguing tactical layer. Middle overs bowling effectiveness could decide the match, especially if the pitch offers turn.
What to Expect
This match serves as a critical platform for Pakistan to consolidate their momentum and test bench strength with calculated resting of key bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, handing opportunities to Hasan Ali and Salman Mirza. Meanwhile, hosts UAE will aim to exploit their familiarity with the conditions to boost their chances in the tournament and gain confidence ahead of the Asia Cup.
Expect a high-intensity contest highlighted by competitive batting totals in the range of 180-200 runs. Death-over bowling and fielding sharpness will play pivotal roles in the outcome. Sharjah’s balanced pitch means teams can’t rely solely on power-hitting or swings in bowling; adaptability will be rewarded.
Final Notes
- Toss will likely influence strategies, with dew playing a role in the second innings.
- Pressure moments and key spells from Hasan Ali and Muhammad Nawaz could define Pakistan’s defense.
- UAE’s middle-order resilience, led by Waseem and Haider Ali, is crucial to setting or chasing a competitive target.
- Pakistan’s rotation policy is an important aspect heading into a packed international schedule.
Cricket fans can look forward to a captivating clash as Pakistan aims to assert dominance while UAE tries to make a statement on home turf. The battle at Sharjah tonight sets the tone for this tri-series and the subcontinental battle ahead in the Asia Cup.
Source: www.espncricinfo.com