So as expected, Pakistan and Afghanistan find themselves in the final of this tri-series. One does feel bad for the United Arab Emirates but remember, these are all part of the learning curve. This tri-series is a pre-cursor to the Asia Cup in this very country in a few days' time and the home side will believe that it takes the learnings from their performance. The Arabs have given a good acount of themselves so far but have just lacked the finishing touches. They will aim to end their campaign with a win, as they face back-to-back fixtures, getting ready to take on Afghanistan at this same venue in less than 24 hours. Pakistan, on the other hand, can take their feet off and rest well for a couple of days before the final on Sunday, The action in the final league game is scheduled to begin from 3 pm GMT, but our buildup will begin well in advance. So please do tune in early. Meanwhile, at Lord's, England are putting up a good fight in their chase of 331 against South Africa in the second ODI. You can skip over there to catch all the action. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

The victorious captain of Pakistan, SALMAN AGHA, cannot hide his glee. Says they started well in the Powerplay but lost wickets in the middle overs. Specially mentions Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz. Points that Fakhar does not get the kind of respect he deserves and calls him a match winner. Says the ball gripped and turned well and admits that it never looked like a 170 wicket and shares they thought anything around 150 was a good total. Credits everyone for chipping in but appreciates Abrar Ahmed for that effort with the ball. Also appreciates the way Shaheen is bowling. Is happy to use the bowlers accordingly while also assessing the conditions.

The skipper of United Arab Emirates, MUHAMMAD WASEEM, heaves a huge sigh when asked about the two dropped catches. Admits that his side was trying to stop Pakistan under 150 and were doing well, but eventually, ended up giving away 20-25 runs extra. On their own batting, Waseem feels that his batters started well and their plan was to play a bit longer. On the wickets, the skipper puts it down to wrong shot selection, chossing the wrong balls to hit. On UAE's learnings from this match and tournament, Muhammad says that his side has learnt plenty of things, like managing itself under pressure and how they can bat. Details by saying that one of the top 3 has to play a minimum of 15 overs and then the acceleration can begin. In the bowling, he is looking forward to get better.

Pakistan's ABRAR AHMED HAS BEEN ADJUDGED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for his bowling figures of 4-0-9-4. He begins by expressing his happiness and says that he read the pitch and bowled according to the conditions. Says that he didn't quite analyse much but he planned how to bowl against someone like Muhammad Waseem. Says he was helped by the coach and the analysts to plan it out. Points that there is a bit of pressure sometimes, but his captain has asked him to be ready for such situations.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

While Pakistan can gloat about their win, their coach would be a touch worried with their competition from the opposition. It started from their second game, where, despite scoring 207, they managed to win by just 31 runs against UAE. And following that, their batters have been under the pump in the remaining two matches. They have a couple of days off before the final on Sunday, but the coach would want all bases covered against a firing Afghanistan. Even in this game, they just about got out of jail, from 80/5, which could have easily become 108/6 or 7. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

In the run chase, UAE again started well, focussing solely on keeping wickets in hand. While that plan was right, they needed someone to support Alishan Sharafu at the top. Unfortunately for the home side, unlike Pakistan, who got Mohammad Nawaz to support Fakhar Zaman towards the end, it was a one-man show for the Arabs with Sharafu topping with 68, but the next highest score reading 19, of skipper Waseem. Pakistan brought all their experience to the fore while bowling, keeping things tight and actually happy, that they were not targetted in the Powerplay. Maybe, 10-15 runs more in that phase might have just made things a bit easier for the hosts. Abrar Ahmed wove his mystery, finishing with 4/9 in 4 overs.

Having mentioned about the toss, we have to mention about the what ifs. 15.5 in the first innings - Mohammad Nawaz dropped by Asif Khan. Ball number 15.6 - Fakhar Zaman dropped by Muhammad Waseem. Pakistan were 108/5 after those two successive drops, after 16 overs. The next 4 overs went for 63 runs. Ouch. That's the difference between the good teams and the big teams. Generally big teams have the experience to bounce back and find ways to win. The UAE bowled their heart out, not giving Pakistan an inch for around 80 percent of the game - but they just let it slip in those last few overs. The spinners had kept the pressure tight, especially Haider Ali, who ended with figures of 2/17, but was denied at least one more. However, death-overs bowling turned out to be their achilles heel.

So we have our two finalists. With just one game left and both, Pakistan and Afghanistan winning 2 games or more, United Arab Emirates have been knocked out of the competition with a game to spare. 5th consecutive win for the side batting first in this tournament. And if we go as far as back as 2023, in the last 12 night T20Is in Sharjah, teams batting first have won only twice! Shows you why toss is such a big factor at this venue.

Junaid Siddique walks in next, at number 9, replacing Haider Ali.

Final over of the match then. Faheem Ashraf has been suddenly remembered of. From UAE's point of view, they have played only 2 T20Is before tonight against Pakistan. Their margin of defeat in terms of runs was 31, while the other was lost defending. If they can get to 141 or more, they can keep that 31 on top of the list.