Pakistan is now officially in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025 after beating the United Arab Emirates in a dominating match. There was a lot of talk about the team’s performance, but something strange happened during the UAE’s chase that got a lot of attention, especially because it provoked a lot of comments.
A Pakistani fielder threw a ball that hit umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge in the back of his head during the sixth over of the UAE’s innings. The throw came from the third man area, where a fielder had picked up a ball that batter Dhruv Parashar had tapped and tried to toss it to the non-striker’s end.
Wasim Akram, a famous Pakistani cricketer who was in the commentary box, said something that has since been criticized. “Right on the umpire’s head! What a throw! Hit the bullseye! Akram stated, “One job of the fielder is not to hit the umpire.” Some people on social media thought he should have used a different word because “bullseye” was too inappropriate given how severe the situation was.
Saim Ayub, a bowler from Pakistan, quickly went to check on the umpire, who seemed confused. The team’s physiotherapist ran onto the field to check for a concussion, which stopped the game. In the end, Palliyaguruge had to leave the field, and reserve umpire Gazi Sohel took his place.
Pakistan’s Way to the Super Four
Pakistan’s road to the Super Four wasn’t easy. After winning the toss and choosing to field, the UAE’s batting order was shaken up right away. But Pakistan’s batting wasn’t very good. Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan both went out early, leaving the team in trouble at 9/2. Salman Ali Agha and Fakhar Zaman put together a key 61-run combination that anchored the innings. Zaman struck a great half-century. Even though the middle order fell apart and the team lost four wickets for only 23 runs, Shaheen Afridi’s late cameo, in which he struck 29 runs off 14 balls, helped Pakistan reach a respectable total of 146/9.
Pakistan’s bowlers have a good reason to defend themselves. Shaheen Afridi clean bowled opener Alishan Sharafu, and Mohammad Nawaz made a great catch to get rid of UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem. The UAE had a hard time bouncing back after losing early wickets. Even though Rahul Chopra and Dhruv Parashar worked together, they were finally all out for 105 in the 18th over. Pakistan won by 41 runs, which put them in the next round.
The two teams will meet again in the Super Four because both India and Pakistan made it through. Pakistan would want to do better against their biggest rivals this time.