Pakistan’s top-order woes in T20 cricket continued on Thursday as they lost three wickets inside the powerplay against the United Arab Emirates in the 5th match of the ongoing series. At the end of six overs, Pakistan were reeling at 50 for 3, with Fakhar Zaman batting on 14 off 8 deliveries and Mohammad Haris yet to open his account.
The collapse added to Pakistan’s worrying trend in 2025. In 18 T20Is this year, the team has now lost 40 wickets in the powerplay, averaging just 20.5 runs per wicket — the second-worst record among full ICC members, only ahead of Zimbabwe, who average 17.55 in the same phase.
The latest setback came courtesy of Muhammad Rohid Khan, who bowled a tight spell of 3 overs for 12 runs, picking up a key wicket to keep Pakistan in check. His disciplined bowling, backed by UAE’s energetic fielding, ensured Pakistan could not accelerate despite Fakhar Zaman’s brief counterattack.
Pakistan’s batting unit has come under increasing scrutiny for its inability to build a solid foundation at the top. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, the management faces mounting pressure to find a stable opening pair and address the recurring collapses in the first six overs.
For now, fans will be watching closely to see whether Pakistan can recover from yet another shaky start against a spirited UAE side.
