Sharjah, August 30, 2025 – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will face a stern challenge when they take on cricket powerhouse Pakistan in the second match of the T20I Tri-Series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
The clash promises high-intensity cricket as the hosts look to prove their mettle against one of the most formidable sides in the shortest format.
The tri-series, also featuring Afghanistan, is being viewed as an important preparatory platform for all three teams ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup. For UAE, this is more than just a tournament; it is a rare opportunity to test their strengths and fine-tune strategies against top-tier opposition while playing on home soil. Led by the dynamic Muhammad Waseem, the squad blends experienced campaigners like Asif Khan with rising talents such as Alishan Sharafu and wicketkeeper-batsman Aryansh Sharma. The inclusion of uncapped all-rounder Harshit Kaushik and the return of pacer Junaid Siddique are expected to add depth to both batting and bowling departments.
Across the pitch, Pakistan are fielding a revamped squad, signaling a transitional phase in their T20I setup. In a bold move, selectors have rested senior stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, handing leadership duties to Salman Agha. This decision reflects a strategy focused on building a versatile squad and assessing bench strength ahead of future global tournaments. The approach has already paid dividends, with Pakistan registering a convincing win over Afghanistan in the series opener, showcasing strong performances from both their batting and bowling units.
The Sharjah surface is known to assist spinners, which could influence team combinations and match strategies. UAE’s key challenge will be tackling Pakistan’s world-class pace attack and restricting their explosive batting lineup. Meanwhile, Pakistan will aim to continue their winning momentum while testing younger players under competitive T20I conditions.
As the tri-series progresses, this encounter is expected to provide a valuable gauge of form, adaptability, and squad depth for both sides, with the Asia Cup looming on the horizon.