Aayan Khan says 'anything can happen' as UAE face Pakistan in U19 Asia Cup semi-final

Aayan Khan insists his UAE side can cause another upset in the Under-19 Asia Cup after clinching a semi-final place against Pakistan.

The home team will meet the form side in the competition when the sides meet at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Friday.

Pakistan were irresistible in the pool phase, beating Nepal by seven wickets, India by eight, and Afghanistan by 83 runs.

The UAE went through in second place in the other pool after beating Japan on Wednesday. They were helped on the adjacent field by Bangladesh, who eased to a win against Sri Lanka. UAE had beaten the islanders last time out.

Aayan, the UAE captain, was the player of the match for the second time in the space of three days.

He hit 67 not out in 41 balls to help the national team reach 320-7 in their 50 overs. Dhruv Parashar and Maroof Merchant also hit half centuries.

Koji Abe has just posted the first half century by a Japan player at the U19 Asia Cup. They’re putting up stubborn resistance, but UAE are close to clinching a semifinal against Pakistan, with Bangladesh about to knock out Sri Lanka on the other field #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/EpomUA8kmD

Koji Abe made Japan’s first half century of the tournament, as they made 213-4 in reply.

Pakistan will represent a tougher challenge than anything the UAE have faced so far in the competition, but Aayan says his side are up for the test.

“They are a strong team, we know that, but anything can happen,” Aayan said.

“We know how good we are because we have also beaten a strong team in our pool. Our level has been high, but Pakistan have been doing well so it will be a nice game.

“We have been working hard and planning with a view to winning that game, Inshallah.”

Pakistan have a formidable