Ranji To Asia Cup: How This Ludhiana Boy, Once Stuck In UAE During Covid, Crushed Pakistan | Cricket News

Asia Cup 2025: Simranjeet took 3 wickets for 26 runs, including Fakhar Zaman, against Pakistan.

A spirited performance from UAE’s left-arm spinner Simranjeet Singh left Pakistan’s batting in complete disarray during the league match of the Asia Cup 2025 on Wednesday, September 17. In a match that Pakistan desperately needed to win, Simranjeet emerged as the game-changer, producing a spell that rattled seasoned batsmen and underlined the rise of a new force in international cricket.

The Ludhiana-born spinner returned with figures of three wickets for just 26 runs, a spell that will long be remembered in UAE cricket. His scalps included the dangerous Fakhar Zaman, who was threatening to anchor Pakistan’s innings after a composed half-century, along with Hasan Nawaz and Khushdil Shah. Each dismissal carried its own weight in pushing UAE into a commanding position.

What made the performance even more remarkable was the journey behind it. Simranjeet, who once plied his trade in India’s domestic circuit, had featured in Ranji Trophy cricket and bowled extensively in Indian Premier League (IPL) nets. Among the memories he carries is bowling to a young Shubman Gill in Mohali around 2011-12, when Gill was barely in his early teens. Those formative years, though rich in experience, did not translate into a breakthrough at the national level in India.

The turning point arrived during the Covid-19 pandemic. In April 2021, Simranjeet travelled to Dubai and, unable to return due to lockdown restrictions, turned to coaching junior players. What began as a temporary arrangement soon became a transformative period.

To qualify for UAE cricket, he needed to complete three seasons in domestic competitions, a requirement he met before approaching national head coach Lalchand Rajput for a trial. His perseverance and professionalism soon earned him a place in the side.

That perseverance was on display against Pakistan. His spell, a masterclass of spin variation, control of length, and clever use of flight, left even established batsmen searching for answers. Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal for 50 was the moment the tide turned, and his removal of Hasan Nawaz and Khushdil Shah confirmed Pakistan’s collapse.