Pakistan got off to a flying start in the tri-nation series, thanks to an unbeaten fifty from captain Salman Ali Agha and a brilliant bowling display.
At one stage, Afghanistan were cruising at 93 for 2 in 11 overs and looked well in control. But what followed was a dramatic collapse — five wickets fell for just four runs in 17 balls. Rashid Khan’s explosive batting later raised some hopes, but it wasn’t enough as Pakistan eventually sealed a comfortable 39-run victory.
In the opening match of the tri-nation T20 series in the UAE, Pakistan set a target of 182 runs after Salman’s 36-ball unbeaten 53 and a few crucial cameos. In reply, despite being in a commanding position at one point, Afghanistan were bowled out for 143 with one ball remaining.
What makes this win even more special is that Pakistan achieved it with only three specialist bowlers — Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Sufiyan Muqeem — who together claimed eight wickets. Rauf was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 31, but it was Salman Ali Agha who walked away with the Player of the Match award.
How the Match Unfolded
Winning the toss and opting to bat in Sharjah on Friday, Pakistan got off to a bright start. Sahibzada Farhan smashed a six and a four in the first over but departed after a quick 21 off 10 balls. Saim Ayub (14 off 16) struggled for fluency and was dismissed by Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan during the powerplay. Returning from injury, Fakhar Zaman made 20 off 17 before falling in the next over.
Middle-order batsman Hasan Nawaz struggled to score freely, making 9 off 13, but then Mohammad Nawaz (21 off 11) partnered with Salman in a 53-run stand that steadied the innings. Salman’s classy knock featured three fours and three sixes, bringing up his fourth T20I fifty off 33 balls. Towards the end, Faheem Ashraf chipped in with an unbeaten 14 off 5 balls as Pakistan posted a competitive 182 for 7.
For Afghanistan, their spinners — Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman — kept things under control, but their pacers leaked runs heavily.
Afghanistan’s Chase: From Promise to Collapse
Chasing 183, Afghanistan lost Ibrahim Zadran early to a beauty from Shaheen Afridi. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (38 off 27) and Sediqullah Atal (23 off 19) then stitched together a 51-run stand off 30 balls, keeping their team in the hunt. But once Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Gurbaz, the momentum shifted sharply.
From 93 for 2, Afghanistan suddenly collapsed to 97 for 7! Haris Rauf’s fiery 12th over — where he dismissed both Sediqullah and Karim Janat without conceding a run — turned the match on its head. Muqeem chipped in with wickets of Darwish Rasooli and Mohammad Nabi, while Nawaz removed Azmatullah Omarzai.
Rashid Khan then produced a stunning cameo, smashing 39 off just 16 balls with five sixes and a four. He briefly threatened to pull off a miracle, hitting three sixes in one over off Haris Rauf, but fell trying for another big shot. With his dismissal, Afghanistan’s hopes faded, and they were bowled out for 143.
Match Summary
- Pakistan: 182/7 in 20 overs
(Sahibzada 21, Saim 14, Fakhar 20, Salman 53*, Hasan Nawaz 9, Mohammad Nawaz 21, Haris 15, Faheem 14*; Mujeeb 1/22, Rashid 1/26, Farid 2/47) - Afghanistan: 143 all out in 19.5 overs
(Gurbaz 38, Ibrahim 9, Sediqullah 23, Rasooli 21, Rashid 39; Afridi 2/21, Nawaz 2/23, Rauf 4/31, Muqeem 2/25)
Result: Pakistan won by 39 runs
Player of the Match: Salman Ali Agha
