Match: 9th Match, Group B
Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Time: 2:30 PM Local (9:30 AM GMT)
Venue: West End Park International Cricket Stadium, Doha, Qatar
Tournament: Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025
Tournament Situation
Pakistan Shaheens come into this match after defeating India A by eight wickets, which confirmed their place in the semi-finals and lifted them to the top of Group B. The victory followed their 40-run win over Oman in their opening match.
For UAE, this tournament has been tough. They lost to India A by 148 runs in their opening game, and though specific details about their second match weren’t confirmed at press time, they sit near the bottom of the Group B standings.
Expected Playing XIs
Pakistan Shaheens (Likely XI)
The official playing XI has not been announced yet, but based on their recent performances and the 15-member squad, Pakistan Shaheens are likely to field:
- Maaz Sadaqat
- Mohammad Naeem
- Mohammad Faiq
- Muhammad Irfan Khan (c)
- Yasir Khan
- Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk)
- Muhammad Shahzad
- Saad Masood
- Shahid Aziz
- Sufiyan Muqeem
- Ubaid Shah
Note: This lineup is based on recent team selections and player form. Official confirmation awaits the toss.
UAE (Likely XI)
Based on the 15-member squad announced and their playing XI against Oman, UAE are expected to play:
- Alishan Sharafu (c)
- Mayank Kumar
- Yayin Kiran Rai
- Sohaib Khan
- Muhammad Arfan
- Aayan Afzal Khan
- Muhammad Rohid
- Syed Haider (wk)
- Ethan D’Souza
- Zahid Ali
- Muhammad Jawadullah
Note: This is a likely XI based on recent matches. Official confirmation pending.
Players to Watch
Batters
| Player | Team | Recent Form | Why to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maaz Sadaqat | Pakistan Shaheens | 96* vs Oman, 79* vs India A | In red-hot form, striking at over 150 with aggressive intent |
| Muhammad Irfan Khan | Pakistan Shaheens | 44 off 21 vs Oman | Captain leading from the front with powerful hitting |
| Alishan Sharafu | UAE | 851 runs in 28 T20s | Captain with solid record, averaging 35+ |
| Yayin Kiran Rai | UAE | 34 in recent match | Showed promise in tournament opener |
Bowlers
| Player | Team | Recent Form | Why to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shahid Aziz | Pakistan Shaheens | 3/24 vs India A | Right-arm seamer who cleaned up India A’s lower order |
| Sufiyan Muqeem | Pakistan Shaheens | 1/24 vs India A | Experienced spinner with international exposure |
| Muhammad Rohid | UAE | 35 wickets in 29 T20s | Leading wicket-taker who strikes every 14.5 balls |
| Aayan Afzal Khan | UAE | Experienced bowling allrounder | Key player with both bat and ball |
Venue and Conditions
The West End Park International Cricket Stadium pitch in Doha has been balanced, with bowlers generally dominating proceedings. The average first innings score is around 140 runs, suggesting batting is not easy. The pitch tends to slow down as matches progress.
Weather: Doha is expected to experience northwesterly winds ranging from fresh to strong speed on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, which may cause blowing dust and reduce visibility in some areas. Temperatures should be pleasant, around 25-27°C (77-81°F), typical for November in Qatar.
What This Means: Teams winning the toss might prefer to bowl first, as chasing has been more successful at this venue. The windy conditions could make stroke-play tricky, especially for lofted shots.
Match Prediction
Pakistan Shaheens are strong favorites to win this match. They have already qualified for the semi-finals with two wins from two matches, showing excellent form with both bat and ball.
Maaz Sadaqat has been in sensational touch, scoring 175 runs in just two innings without being dismissed. The bowling unit, led by Shahid Aziz and Sufiyan Muqeem, has shown they can handle pressure situations.
UAE, on the other hand, have struggled in the tournament. Their batting has not fired consistently, and their bowlers have been taken apart by stronger teams.
Predicted Winner: Pakistan Shaheens by 30-40 runs or 5-6 wickets
What to Expect
Expect Pakistan Shaheens to continue their winning momentum as they prepare for the semi-finals. Captain Muhammad Irfan Khan may use this match to give game time to fringe players who haven’t featured much yet.
UAE will be playing for pride and looking to end their tournament campaign on a positive note. Their captain Alishan Sharafu will need to lead from the front, while their bowlers must find ways to contain the aggressive Pakistan batting lineup.
This match offers Pakistan a chance to fine-tune their strategies before the knockout stages, while UAE will be desperate to show they belong at this level.