UAE’s Junaid Siddique tops bowlers chart after new Asia Cup record

UAE pacer not only broke his own previous best but also surpassed India's Bhuvneshwar

Last updated: September 18, 2025 | 18:18

Jai Rai, Assistant Editor

2 MIN READ

UAE's Junaid Siddique (left) celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Saim Ayub during the Asia Cup 2025 Twenty20 international cricket match at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on September 17, 2025.

AFP

Dubai: Junaid Siddique delivered a standout performance for the UAE, claiming four wickets against Pakistan in the Asia Cup clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. His impressive haul not only rattled the Pakistani batting line-up but also propelled him to the top of the wicket-takers’ chart in this edition of the tournament, with nine wickets to his name. He currently leads ahead of India’s Kuldeep Yadav, who has seven wickets from two matches.

“Junaid is our main bowler — our most senior player,” UAE captain Muhammad Waseem said. “He was exceptional today, just like in the last game. I’m very happy with our bowling unit. The way we’ve bowled and adapted is impressive. Junaid, Simranjeet, and [Muhammad] Rohid are all doing a great job, and I believe this momentum will help us in the upcoming matches.”

Junaid set the tone early, removing Saim Ayub for a two-ball duck in the very first over. He then dismissed Ayub’s opening partner, Sahibzada Farhan, for 5 runs off 12 balls in the third over. His third breakthrough came in the 17th over when he sent Mohammad Nawaz back for just 4 runs. Junaid completed his four-wicket haul by clean bowling Mohammad Haris (18 off 14) in the 19th over.

With figures of 4/18 from his four overs, Junaid not only broke his own previous best of 4/23 but also surpassed Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 4/26 against Pakistan in the 2022 Asia Cup, setting a new record for the best bowling figures against Pakistan in Asia Cup T20Is.

This marked Junaid’s second consecutive four-wicket haul in the 2025 Asia Cup, making him only the second bowler in Asia Cup T20I history — after Bhuvneshwar Kumar — to take multiple four-fers in the tournament.

Supporting Junaid’s efforts, spinner Simranjeet Singh also made a significant impact, claiming 3 wickets for 26 runs in his four-over spell, further strengthening UAE’s bowling dominance on the day.

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Jai RaiAssistant Editor

Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf. A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer's discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging. Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.