ISLAMABAD: Pakistan secured qualification for the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 semi-finals on Tuesday after defeating the United Arab Emirates by 70 runs in a must-win group match at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
Set a target of 242, the hosts were dismissed for 171 in 37.5 overs despite a fighting knock from Ayaan Misbah, who top-scored with 77 off 74 balls, including 12 fours. UAE’s chase lost momentum after Misbah was run out in the 24th over, triggering a collapse in the middle order.
Prithvi Madhu scored 27 and Muhammad Rayan added 12, but their dismissals in successive overs swung the contest decisively in Pakistan’s favour as the visitors’ bowlers cleaned up the tail to seal a comprehensive victory.
Abdul Subhan led the bowling effort with figures of 4 for 31 in 7.5 overs, while Mohammad Sayyam, Momim Qamar and Ahmed Hussain picked up one wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 241 for 9 after captain Farhan Yousaf opted to bat first on winning the toss. The innings began steadily, with openers Sameer Minhas and Usman Khan putting on 40 runs before the latter was dismissed for 21 in the 10th over.
UAE bowler Naseem Khan struck again in his next over to remove Ali Hassan Baloch for two, leaving Pakistan briefly under pressure. Ahmed Hussain then anchored the innings from number four, forming key partnerships with Sameer Minhas (44), Farhan Yousaf (20) and Huzaifa Ahsan (23).
Ahmed also added 52 runs for the sixth wicket with Hamza Zahoor before falling in the 47th over for a top score of 65 off 91 balls, which included four boundaries. Zahoor continued to add runs late in the innings, scoring 42 off 51 deliveries before being dismissed in the final over.
For the UAE, Yug Sharma was the most successful bowler with 3 for 52, while Naseem claimed two wickets and Muhammad Bazil Asim, Uddish Suri and Zainullah Rehmani took one each.
With Pakistan’s win, all four semi-finalists of the tournament have been confirmed, joining India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the knockout stage. The semi-final pairings will be decided after Wednesday’s final group match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
