The Asia Cup 2025 is heating up, and the group stage is reaching a tipping point. Among the giants battling for continental supremacy, one team finds itself perilously close to an early exit – Pakistan.
After a dominant opening win over Oman, Pakistan’s campaign was dealt a severe blow by arch-rivals India, who outclassed them in all departments. Now, with everything on the line, Pakistan must beat UAE on September 17 to keep their Super Four hopes alive. On paper, it looks like a mismatch. Pakistan have the experience, the pedigree, and a recent win over UAE in a tri-series to boost their confidence.
But cricket isn’t played on paper.
The UAE have shown they are no pushovers. A comfortable victory over Oman in their last match has kept their own hopes alive, and the stage is now set for what could be a historic upset. The question is – can the UAE knock Pakistan out of the Asia Cup? Or, as history sometimes shows, will Pakistan be their own worst enemy?
If UAE are to pull off a shock, these three players will have to bring their A-game:
1. Muhammad Waseem
Muhammad Waseem isn’t just UAE’s best batter – he’s their heartbeat. Time and again, he has delivered when his team has needed him most, and his composed half-century against Oman once again reminded fans of his class.
A dynamic stroke-maker, Waseem possesses the rare ability to adapt his game to the situation. His T20I credentials are elite: an average hovering near 40 and a strike rate north of 150. These are not just good numbers – they’re world-class.
If he gets going early, he could put Pakistan’s bowlers who have looked shaky under pressure on the back foot. And once that happens, the UAE will believe.
2. Junaid Siddique
Every team needs a strike bowler in crunch matches, and for UAE, that man is Junaid Siddique. The veteran right-arm pacer is coming off a brilliant four-wicket haul against Oman and brings with him the experience of having already troubled Pakistan before four wickets in just two T20Is against them.
What makes Junaid dangerous is his ability to swing the new ball and bowl smartly at the death. Pakistan’s top order, especially the openers, have looked nervy and inconsistent this tournament. Junaid has the tools and the confidence to exploit that vulnerability.
If he can strike early, the cracks in Pakistan’s batting might be hard to paper over.
3. Asif Khan
Every underdog story needs a twist. And Asif Khan might just be that twist for UAE.
Though he’s been short of runs recently, Asif is the kind of batter who can turn a game on its head in a matter of overs. The evidence? A brutal 77 off 35 balls against Pakistan in Sharjah not too long ago in a tri-series, an innings that reminded everyone of what he’s capable of.
He’s versatile, fearless, and if UAE get off to a steady start, pushing Asif up the order might just be their masterstroke. Pakistan beware – if Asif gets going, it could be another Sharjah nightmare.
Pakistan’s Real Opponent: Themselves?
While the UAE have enough firepower to cause an upset, let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: Pakistan’s tendency to implode when under pressure.
They’ve done it before. Strong on paper, inconsistent on the field. Against India, they looked out of ideas and short on temperament. Leadership decisions were questioned, the batting crumbled under pressure, and the bowling lacked bite.
With Super Four qualification at stake, Pakistan must play fearless but smart cricket – no panic, no overthinking. Because if they don’t, they might not need the UAE to knock them out – they could do it all by themselves.
