U19 Asia Cup: Pakistan defeat UAE by 70 runs, qualify for semi-finals

Dubai (Web Desk): Pakistan secured a place in the semi-finals of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 on Tuesday by registering a convincing 70-run win over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a decisive group match at the ICC Academy.

In reply to a demanding target of 242, the UAE batting unit failed to build sustained momentum and was bundled out for 171 in 37.5 overs.

Ayaan Misbah was the lone bright spot for the hosts, playing a positive knock at the top that kept his side in the contest for a significant period.

His innings came to an abrupt end through a run-out in the 24th over, with Misbah finishing as the highest scorer after making 77 from 74 balls, an effort decorated with 12 boundaries.

After his exit, Prithvi Madhu and Muhammad Rayan attempted to revive the chase, scoring 27 and 12 respectively, but their dismissals in consecutive overs swung the game firmly back in Pakistan’s favour.

From that point on, the visitors’ bowlers maintained tight control and quickly cleaned up the remaining batters. Subhan starred with the ball, claiming four wickets for 31 runs in 7.5 overs, while Mohammad Sayyam, Momim Qamar and Ahmed Hussain contributed with one wicket each.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf opted to bat first after winning the toss, a move that proved effective as his side posted 241 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs.

Openers Sameer Minhas and Usman Khan laid a solid foundation, putting on 40 runs in the opening nine overs before Usman was dismissed for 21 by Naseem Khan in the 10th. Naseem struck again in the following over, removing Ali Hassan Baloch, who managed just two runs from 10 deliveries.

With two quick wickets down, Ahmed took charge at number four and steadied the innings through a series of vital partnerships. He added valuable runs alongside Sameer Minhas, who scored 44, Farhan Yousaf, who made 20, and Huzaifa Ahsan, who contributed 23.

Ahmed then combined with Hamza Zahoor in a 52-run stand for the sixth wicket to keep the scoreboard moving. His innings ended on the first ball of the 47th over when Zainullah Rehmani bowled him, with Ahmed departing after a resolute 65 off 91 balls that included four fours.

Zahoor continued to anchor the lower middle order and was dismissed on the third ball of the final over by Yug Sharma, finishing with 42 from 51 deliveries and striking four boundaries.

Sharma emerged as the most successful bowler for the UAE, returning figures of three wickets for 52 runs from his 10 overs. Naseem Khan picked up two wickets, while Muhammad Bazil Asim, Uddish Suri and Rehmani claimed one apiece.

With this victory, Pakistan confirmed their qualification for the semi-finals, joining India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the last four.

The exact semi-final pairings, however, will be decided after Wednesday’s remaining group match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.