T20I tri-series: Fakhar's fifty helps Pakistan set fighting total against UAE

Pakistan posted a 172-run target for the United Arab Emirates in the fifth match of the T20 international tri-series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha's decision to bat first proved beneficial as his team’s batting unit yielded 171/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

The Green Shirts got off to a brief flying start to their innings as their opening pair of Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub added 28 runs for the first wicket inside three overs.

The opening stand culminated on the penultimate delivery of the fourth over when Dhruv Parashar got Farhan caught at deep square leg. The right-handed opener walked back after scoring 16 off 11.

Following his dismissal, Pakistan lost four more wickets in quick succession and had consequently slipped to 80/5 in 11.3 overs before Fakhar and Mohammad Nawaz launched an astounding recovery.

The duo launched a counterattack on the home side’s bowlers and added a quickfire 97-run stand, which lifted Pakistan to a fighting total.

Fakhar top-scored for Pakistan with an unbeaten 77 off 44 deliveries, studded with a dozen boundaries, including two sixes, while Nawaz made a 27-ball 37, featuring three fours and two sixes.

For the UAE, Haider Ali led the charge with two wickets, while Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Rohid and Muhammad Jawadullah made one scalp apiece.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan are at the top of the T20I Tri-series standings with four points in two matches, while UAE are at the bottom as the hosts are yet to win a game.