Miserly Mohammad Amir was again a driving force for Pakistan as they beat United Arab Emirates by seven wickets to stay in with a chance of winning the Asia Cup.

Amir, impressive already on the comeback trail following his worldwide five-year ban for spot-fixing, continued his brilliant form by taking two for six in four overs as UAE posted 129 for six in Dhaka.

Pakistan knocked off the runs, with eight balls to spare, thanks to a much-needed and unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 114 between Shoaib Malik (63no) and Umar Akmal (50no) – after all-rounder Amjad Javed (three for 36) had put the chase in early trouble.

The Pakistani pair clubbed 23 off Javed, when he returned for his final over, to seal their team’s first victory in the tournament after an opening defeat against table-toppers India.

Amir’s figures are no match for those of his former team-mate Umar Gul, who has twice taken five for six in Twenty20s – but they are the joint-second most economical on record from a full four overs.