Muscat: An unbeaten half-century by captain Mohammad Haris, combined with a stellar five-wicket haul from Shahnawaz Dahani, powered the Pakistan Shaheens to a commanding 114-run victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the 11th match of the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup. The win, achieved at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground, Muscat, guaranteed Shaheens a spot in the tournament’s semi-finals, scheduled for October 25.
Batting first after winning the toss, Shaheens posted a formidable total of 179-4 in their 20 overs. Haris led the charge with a composed knock of 71* from 49 balls. Despite losing openers Omair Bin Yousuf (21 off 11 balls) and Yasir Khan (25 off 13 balls) within the Powerplay, the team managed a solid 49 runs in the first six overs.
Haris arrived at the crease after the loss of two quick wickets and held the innings together, sharing a vital 62-run stand with Qasim Akram (23 off 28 balls) for the third wicket. The UAE’s Muhammad Farooq struck in the 14th over, removing both Qasim and Abdul Samad in quick succession to leave Shaheens at 112-4. However, Haris found a reliable partner in Haider Ali, with the pair adding an unbroken 67 runs for the fifth wicket. Haris’ innings featured six boundaries and three sixes, while Haider contributed a quickfire 32* off just 17 balls, including three sixes and a four.
Farooq was the standout bowler for UAE, finishing with figures of 3-27 from his four overs.
In response, UAE struggled to cope with Shaheens’ potent bowling attack, collapsing to 65 all out in 16.3 overs. Dahani was the star of the show, delivering a career-best performance with 5-12 in his four overs, including two maidens. UAE’s batting line-up faltered, losing three wickets for just 28 runs in the Powerplay. Captain Rahul Chopra (20 off 18 balls), Tanish Suri (15 off 15 balls), and Syed Haider (12 off 16 balls) were the only batters to reach double figures as Dahani’s relentless bowling dismantled the middle order.
Support came from Sufiyan Moqim, who took 2-17, while Ahmed Daniyal, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, and Arafat Minhas claimed one wicket apiece. Dahani wrapped up the innings by dismissing Akif Raja, securing Shaheens’ dominant win.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan Shaheens 179-4 (Mohammad Haris 71*, Haider Ali 32*, Yasir Khan 25; Muhammad Farooq 3-27)
UAE 65 all out (Rahul Chopra 20; Shahnawaz Dahani 5-12, Sufiyan Moqim 2-17)
Player of the Match: Shahnawaz Dahani (Pakistan Shaheens)
