The ongoing UAE T20I Tri-Nation series 2025 is reaching its crucial stage,and all eyes are now on the battle between Pakistan and United Arab Emirates. The two sides will lock horns at the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on September 4, 2025 , the match starting at 8:30 PM IST.
Pakistan enter this fixture with confidence, despite a recent setback against Afghanistan. Having already defeated UAE earlier in the competition by 31 runs, they will be keen to complete a double over the hosts and book their place in the final.
For UAE, this match is critical, still winless in the series, their chances of qualifying for the final remain slim, but a victory over Pakistan would not nly revive their campaign mathematically but also send a strong message about their growing competitiveness on the international stage.
Strength and challenges
Pakistan’s campaign has been defined by explosive starts with the bat and disciplined performances with the ball. Saim Ayub has emerged as their standout performer, consistently providing quick runs in the powerplay. Alongside him, Hasan Nawaz has shown the ability to accelerate in the middle overs, giving Pakistan the kind of depth they need in T20 cricket.
The bowling unit remains Pakistan’s biggest strength. Shaheen Afridi with the new ball, and Haris Rauf at the death, provide a perfect blend of swing and pace. Spinners have also contributed in slowing the run flow during the middle phase.
However, one area of concern has been the middle order. Against Afghanistan, Pakistan struggled once the top order was dismissed, highlighting a potential vulnerability. Going forward, they will need better contributions from their middle-order batters if they want to dominate consistently.
The hosts may not have victories to show for their efforts yet, but they have played with intent. Muhammad Waseem, their captain, has led from the front with aggressive batting at the top of the order. His strike rate has been among the highest in the tournament, and his form will once again be central to UAE’s chances.
Alongside him, Asif Khan has impressed with a fearless approach, highlighted by his blistering 77 off 35 balls earlier in the series. These performances reflect the potential of UAE’s batting unit, though consistency has been lacking.
On the bowling front, Saghir Khan has stood out as the strike bowler. He has been effective in breaking partnerships, but overall, UAE’s bowling attack has struggled to contain quality batting line-ups. Against Pakistan, their challenge will be to keep the run rate under control in the powerplay and prevent late-order hitting.
Pitch Report
The Sharjah Cricket Stadium has witnessed a range of totals in this series, from modest scores around 160 to Pakistan’s impressive 207 in their earlier match against UAE. The surface is expected to be batting-friendly in the first innings, but it tends to slow down under lights, making stroke play more difficult in the second half.
History suggests that teams batting first hold a clear advantage at Sharjah. As a result, the toss will play a crucial role, with both captains likely to prefer setting a target rather than chasing.
The weather forecast remains dry and warm, ensuring uninterrupted play. With minimal dew expected, conditions should favor bowlers defending totals later in the evening.
Key Battle to Watch
Saim Ayub vs UAE’s New Ball Bowlers
Ayub has been Pakistan’s most aggressive batter, and his ability to dominate the powerplay could decide the tone of the match. UAE must find a way to keep him quiet early.
Muhammad Waseem vs pakistan pace attack
Waseem’s explosive batting in powerplay will be the test of the Pakistan pace with new ball. Waseem batting set the tone for UAE.
Pakistan’s Middle Order vs UAE’s Spinners
Pakistan’s middle order stumbled against Afghanistan’s spin attack. UAE will hope their slower bowlers can exploit the same weakness.
Prediction
Pakistan start as clear favorites in this encounter. Their batting depth and bowling firepower give them a strong edge over UAE, and unless the hosts produce an exceptional performance, the outcome is likely to favor Pakistan.