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The stage is set for a pivotal clash in the T20I tri-series as Pakistan will face the United Arab Emirates in the fifth match on Thursday (September 4) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Both teams enter the contest with contrasting fortunes, making this encounter crucial for their respective campaigns.
Pakistan’s dominant run faces an unsettling setback
Pakistan’s journey in the tri-series has been a mix of strong performances and a recent reality check. They started their campaign with two consecutive victories, showcasing their depth and firepower, particularly with impressive wins over both Afghanistan and the UAE. Their most recent outing, however, saw them falter against Afghanistan’s spin attack, resulting in an 18-run defeat that put a temporary halt on their winning momentum. Despite this loss, Pakistan remains at the top of the points table, tied with Afghanistan but holding a superior net run rate. A win against the UAE would not only secure their place in the final but also give them a much-needed psychological boost. The team will be eager to correct the batting collapses that plagued their last chase and reinforce their status as tournament frontrunners.
UAE’s search for survival and first victory
The UAE team, on the other hand, is battling for survival in the tri-series. The hosts have had a challenging tournament so far, having lost both of their matches against Pakistan and Afghanistan. Their first defeat came at the hands of Pakistan in a high-scoring encounter, where despite a valiant effort from Asif Khan, who scored 77 runs, they fell short by 31 runs. They followed that up with another loss to Afghanistan, making their path to the final a difficult one. To have any chance of qualifying, the UAE must win their remaining two league games against Pakistan and Afghanistan by significant margins. This match is a do-or-die situation for the team, as they desperately seek to secure their first victory and restore some pride and confidence in front of their home crowd.
PAK vs UAE: Match Details
- Date and Time: August 30, 8:30 PM IST / 03:00 PM GMT / 07:00 PM LOCAL
- Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
PAK vs UAE Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played: 02 | UAE won: 00 | PAK won: 02 | No results: 0
Sharjah Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The Sharjah Cricket Stadium, famously known for its high-scoring thrillers and short boundaries, has seen a shift in its pitch character in recent T20 matches. While it was once considered a batting haven where even 200-plus totals felt unsafe, the surface has become more balanced and often on the slower side. This change makes it a truer test of a batter’s timing and has proven to be beneficial for spinners and bowlers who can execute effective slower deliveries.
The toss remains a critical factor at this venue. Teams winning the toss will likely opt to bat first, aiming to post a big total on the board and put pressure on the opposition. However, the presence of dew in evening games can significantly alter the conditions, often making the ball skid on and giving an advantage to the team chasing under the lights.
PAK vs UAE, Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Pakistan won the toss and bat first
- PAK powerplay score: 50-55
- PAK overall score: 190-200
Case 2:
- United Arab Emirates won the toss and bat first
- UAE powerplay score: 40-45
- UAE overall score: 160-170
Match result: Team bowling first to win the game.
