Table of Contents
Pakistan cricket team kicked off their tri-series campaign in style as they overpowered Afghanistan by 40 runs in the opening fixture at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday night. The Men in Green, led by Salman Ali Agha, delivered an all-round performance that combined gritty batting with sharp bowling to claim a morale-boosting win ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup.
The tri-nation series, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and one more participant, is being played from August 29 to September 7, 2025 in the UAE. It serves as a vital preparation opportunity for all teams before the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, set to begin on September 9.
Salman Ali Agha anchors Pakistan innings with unbeaten fifty
Batting first, Pakistan posted a respectable total of 182/6 in 20 overs, thanks largely to captain Salman Ali Agha’s steady hand. After an early wobble, where the side slipped to 83/4, the skipper anchored the innings with an unbeaten 53 off 36 balls, featuring three fours and three sixes.
Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub looked in touch, but wickets at regular intervals halted Pakistan’s flow. Farhan made a quick 21 from 10 deliveries, striking a four and two sixes, before departing in the third over. Saim Ayub followed with a cautious 14 off 16 balls. Fakhar Zaman (20) and young Hasan Nawaz (9) failed to convert starts.
Just when Afghanistan seemed to tighten their grip, Salman Ali Agha partnered with Mohammad Nawaz to launch a counterattack. The pair added 53 runs in just 28 balls, injecting momentum into the innings. Nawaz contributed a brisk 21 from 11 balls, laced with one four and two sixes.
Later, Mohammad Haris chipped in with 15 runs during a 31-run stand with his captain before falling to Fareed Ahmad in the final over. Pakistan’s innings closed at 182, with Salman Ali Agha unbeaten and proving his worth as a dependable middle-order batter.
Haris Rauf spearheads Pakistan’s bowling
Defending a challenging total, Pakistan’s pace and spin attack combined to rattle Afghanistan’s batting order. Haris Rauf was the standout performer, claiming 4 wickets for 31 runs in 3.5 overs, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz, and Sufiyan Muqeem picked up two wickets apiece.
Afghanistan started strongly, reaching 60/1 at the end of seven overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looked threatening, striking 38 off 27 balls with three fours and a six, before falling to left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz. His dismissal marked a turning point.
Darwish Rasooli (21) and Sediqullah Atal (23) tried to stabilize the innings with a 25-run partnership, but Haris Rauf’s fiery pace triggered a collapse. Afghanistan lost four wickets for just four runs, slipping from 93/3 to 97/7 by the 14th over.
Although Rashid Khan counter-attacked with a blistering 39 off 16 balls (1 four, 5 sixes), his lone resistance was not enough to save the Afghan side. Once he was dismissed, Pakistan swiftly polished off the tail, bowling Afghanistan out for 143 in 19.5 overs.
Crowd divided with colour-coded tickets
The match drew a large and vibrant crowd at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, with Afghan supporters outnumbering Pakistani fans. Organisers had introduced colour-coded tickets — green for Pakistan fans and blue for Afghanistan fans — to ensure smooth entry and seating arrangements.
Double treat: Pak Vs Afghanistan in Sharjah, Babar Azam in Peshawar
Interestingly, a number of Indian cricket fans also turned up to support Afghanistan, adding to the lively atmosphere. Despite the sweltering Sharjah heat, the passion of fans remained undeterred, making the contest as much about the atmosphere in the stands as the battle on the field.
Pakistan eye momentum ahead of Asia Cup
The tri-series was arranged after Pakistan’s original bilateral series with Afghanistan was converted into a tri-nation event by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The decision was aimed at giving players exposure to UAE conditions ahead of the Asia Cup 2025.
With this win, Pakistan improved their head-to-head record against Afghanistan in T20Is. Out of eight matches played, Pakistan now leads with five wins, while Afghanistan has claimed three victories.
Salman Ali Agha’s leadership debut in this tri-series also came under the spotlight, with his composed batting and astute bowling changes drawing praise.
Match Summary
Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem
Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (capt), Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad
Result: Pakistan won by 40 runs.
