Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha hailed his side’s batting performance but admitted there is still work to be done with the ball, after Pakistan clinched their second successive win in the T20I tri-series against UAE at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
“It was a perfect batting performance,” Agha said at the post-match press conference. “With the ball, we were good in the first 15 overs, but our death bowling remains an area of concern. We’re working hard on it and need to get better in that phase. Overall though, I think we’ve done well as a team.”
Pakistan powered to a 31-run victory, posting 207 before restricting UAE to 176-8. Despite a strong start from openers Muhammad Zohaib (13) and skipper Muhammad Waseem (33), the hosts collapsed after losing quick wickets. Asif Khan’s counterattack, including a blistering 77 off 35 balls with four sixes, kept UAE’s hopes alive, but Salman Mirza and Hasan Ali pegged them back at the death. Hasan Ali closed with two wickets in the final over, including Asif’s prized scalp.
Earlier, Pakistan’s batting fired once more. Saim Ayub continued his fine run with a 25-ball half-century, his fourth in T20Is.
While Agha fell cheaply for five, Hasan Nawaz stole the show later, hammering three consecutive sixes en route to a 24-ball fifty.
His 56 off 26 deliveries, combined with Mohammad Nawaz’s 25 off 15, lifted Pakistan beyond 200.
UAE’s bowlers, led by Saghir Khan (3-35), found breakthroughs, but the firepower of Pakistan’s middle order proved decisive.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson dedicated the win to the victims of the recent floods in Pakistan.
“These back-to-back wins are for everyone affected by the floods,” Hesson wrote on X. “Some people are really struggling, and we are praying for their safety and strength.”
With two wins from two, Pakistan sit firmly atop the tri-series table, but Agha’s emphasis on improving death bowling suggests the team is keeping its focus firmly on sharpening areas that could prove decisive in tougher contests ahead.
Akram advices Babar
Former Pakistan captain and pace legend Wasim Akramhttps://tribune.com.pk/story/2562240/game-must-go-on-akram-on-ind-pak-clash has offered guidance to star batter Babar Azam, who is currently out of the national T20I squad due to a dip in form.
Reflecting on the pressures faced by top players in international cricket, he offered both praise and advice for the young star.
"Babar Azam is our superstar and a top player in world cricket. I would just advise him to stay calm, ignore unnecessary press conferences, and remember that 'Form is temporary, class is forever.'
"Keep going, and you will return to the top of world cricket again," Akram said.
The 59-year-old cricket expert was also asked to comment on Babar’s potential as a batsman versus a match-winner. He acknowledged the player’s talent while emphasising that greater achievements are yet to come.
"He is already a great batsman, but his best is yet to come—and he will also lead the team to victory," he stated.
When questioned about whether Babar could reach the legendary status of the great Javed Miandad in terms of match-winning performances, the former left-arm pacer shared his perspective on the young captain’s potential and what is needed to solidify his place among the greats.
"Right now, Babar has what it takes to be a match-winner—the talent is definitely there, and consistency is there—but he needs to win 2–3 important matches on his own with his batting. No doubt, he is a top-class player," he concluded.
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