Sharjah, UAE — August 29, 2025: The T20I tri-nation series kicked off in style as Pakistan outclassed Afghanistan with a 39-run victory in the tournament opener. Powered by Salman Ali Agha’s composed half-century and a fiery bowling spell from Haris Rauf, the Men in Green proved too strong under the Sharjah lights.
Pakistan’s Batting Revival After Early Stumble
Opting to bat first, Pakistan were in trouble at 83/4, with Afghanistan’s seamers applying pressure. Just when the innings looked shaky, Salman Ali Agha stood tall. His unbeaten 53 off 36 deliveries, laced with timely sixes and rotating strike smartly, turned the tide.
Lower-order contributions from Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir ensured Pakistan posted a fighting total of 182/7 in 20 overs. For Afghanistan, Fareed Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets, but others failed to contain runs in the death overs.
(Read more stats on ESPNcricinfo)
Afghanistan’s Promising Start Turns Into Collapse
Chasing 183, Afghanistan began aggressively with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (38 off 27) and Hazratullah Zazai giving them a platform. At 92/2, they seemed on course.
But the match flipped dramatically — a collapse saw Afghanistan lose five wickets for just four runs. From a comfortable position, they crumbled to 97/7.
- Haris Rauf triggered the downfall with 4/31 in a fiery spell.
- Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with two wickets each.
- Spinner Sufiyan Muqeem wrapped things up efficiently.
Despite a late blitz from Rashid Khan (39 off 16, SR 243), Afghanistan fell short and were bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs.
(Full match details on NDTV Sports)
Key Takeaways
- Salman Ali Agha’s maturity under pressure was the highlight for Pakistan.
- Haris Rauf’s pace & variations broke Afghanistan’s backbone in the middle overs.
- Afghanistan need to address their middle-order fragility, as Rashid Khan can’t rescue them every time.
(See expert insights on Indian Express)
What’s Next in the Tri-Series?
Pakistan will next face hosts UAE, looking to build momentum ahead of the Asia Cup. Afghanistan, on the other hand, must regroup quickly if they want to stay alive in the competition.
For fans, this tri-series isn’t just about results — it’s about testing squads, finding form, and sharpening skills before bigger battles.
