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SHARJAH: Afghanistan displayed a commanding all-round performance to defeat Pakistan by 19 runs in the fourth match of the T20I tri-series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. The spirited Afghan side defended a challenging total of 170 runs, leaving Pakistan’s batting order in tatters.
Pakistan Falter in Run Chase
Chasing 170, Pakistan’s batting lineup never really settled into rhythm and was eventually restricted to 151/9 in 20 overs. The Green Shirts endured a disastrous start as openers Saim Ayub (0) and Sahibzada Farhan (18) fell cheaply, leaving the scoreboard at just 29/2 within the first four overs.
In a bid to stabilize the innings, Fakhar Zaman and skipper Salman Ali Agha stitched together a brief 33-run stand. However, both departed in quick succession, tilting the momentum firmly in Afghanistan’s favor.
Asif Ali Retires from International Cricket
Fakhar top-scored among the top order with an 18-ball 25, including three boundaries and a six, while Agha managed 20 off 15 balls. But their dismissals reduced Pakistan to 67/4 in 8.3 overs, sparking a collapse that derailed the chase.
By the 17th over, Pakistan had slumped to 111/9, with Afghanistan’s bowlers dominating proceedings.
Haris Rauf’s Fighting Knock
The only bright spot in Pakistan’s batting came from Haris Rauf, who played a fiery cameo down the order. Alongside tailender Sufiyan Muqeem, he added an unbeaten 40-run stand for the 10th wicket.
Rauf remained unbeaten on 34 runs from 16 balls, blasting four sixes to give Pakistan faint hope. Muqeem contributed 7 not out, but the partnership came too late to change the outcome.
Afghan Bowlers Seal the Game
Afghanistan’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings. Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi each claimed two wickets, ensuring no Pakistani batter could anchor the chase. Their disciplined bowling and sharp fielding turned the tide whenever Pakistan tried to recover.
Afghanistan’s Strong Start with the Bat
Earlier, Afghanistan set the stage with a competitive total of 169/5 after being put into bat. Despite losing opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz for just 8 runs in the second over, Afghanistan bounced back spectacularly.
Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal combined for a monumental 113-run partnership for the second wicket, frustrating Pakistan’s bowlers and building the foundation for a big score.
Zadran and Atal Shine
Both batters dominated Pakistan’s attack with calculated stroke play. Atal smashed 64 off 45 deliveries, featuring three fours and three sixes, while Zadran top-scored with 65 off 45 balls, decorated with eight boundaries and a six.
Their partnership carried Afghanistan to 146/2 in the 18th over, before Pakistan found some breakthroughs.
Faheem Ashraf’s Career-Best Spell
Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf emerged as the lone standout performer with the ball, claiming 4/27, the best figures of his T20I career. He dismissed Atal, Zadran, and Azmatullah Omarzai in quick succession to halt Afghanistan’s charge. He later added the wicket of Mohammad Nabi (6) in the final over.
Besides Faheem, Saim Ayub picked up one wicket while keeping his spell economical with figures of 1/18 in four overs.
Afghanistan eventually finished at 169/5, a total that proved more than enough against Pakistan’s fragile batting order.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Afghanistan’s 113-run stand between Zadran and Atal was the backbone of their innings.
- Pakistan’s batting collapse exposed weaknesses in their middle order once again.
- Haris Rauf’s late fireworks highlighted his versatility but underscored the lack of support from top and middle-order batters.
- Faheem Ashraf’s impressive bowling figures were wasted due to poor batting application.
Series Context
With this victory, Afghanistan strengthened their position in the tri-nation T20I series. The result serves as a wake-up call for Pakistan, who will now need to regroup quickly if they are to remain competitive in the tournament.
The Afghan side, led by the inspirational Rashid Khan, once again showcased why they are considered one of the most dangerous emerging forces in T20 cricket.
