SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz hit blistering half centuries to lead Pakistan to a 31-run victory against United Arab Emirates in the Twenty20 Tri-series in Sharjah on Saturday.

Left-handed batter Ayub made 69 off 38 balls and Nawaz smashed six sixes in his 26-ball 56.

Pakistan scored a total of 207 in 20 overs after captain Salman Ali Agha won his second successive toss and chose to bat.

Middle-order batter Asif Khan celebrated his 50th T20 appearance for UAE with an aggressive innings of 77 off 35 balls but Pakistan kept chipping away with wickets to restrict UAE to 176-8.

Both teams will face off at least once more in the tri-series before competing in the Asia Cup, starting from Sept. 9 where UAE is placed alongside India, Pakistan and Hong Kong.

Pa

See Full Page