Abrar and Fakhar lead Pakistan to win over UAE

Abrar Ahmed took a four-wicket haul and returned with the career-best bowling figure of 4/9 to steer Pakistan to a comprehensive 31-run victory against the UAE in their tri-series match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

- 

Abrar derailed the chase after Pakistan set UAE a target of 172, riding on Fakhar Zaman's unbeaten 77. Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed were brought in place of Haris Rauf and Sufiyan Muqim. Rauf and Muqim were expensive bowlers in the last match as they conceded 38 and 33 runs respectively in three overs each without picking up a single wicket.

He capitalized on the chance to prove his credentials for the upcoming Asia Cup. Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu gave a sound start to the UAE as they added 41 runs in the first power play without losing any wicket. Waseem played a sedate innings of run-a-ball for his 19.

Abrar Ahmed exploited the conditions and derailed the UAE innings with a splendid spin bowling show. He ignited the skid with Waseem's dismissal and accounted for the wickets of Asif Khan, Rahul Chopra and Harshit Kaushik.

Sharafu and D'Souza added 32 runs for the second wicket to keep the chase alive. The strategy was simple-take the game as deep as possible and keep the wickets in hand to spur the run rate in the end.