A Big Night in Sharjah
Cricket nights in Sharjah always feel special — and this one was no different. Pakistan started the UAE T20I Tri-Series with a confident win over Afghanistan, a result that gave them exactly the kind of boost they needed before the Asia Cup.
Captain Salman Shows the Way
Leading from the front, skipper Salman Ali Agha played a calm yet powerful knock. His 53 not out off 36 balls held Pakistan’s innings together after a few hiccups. Pakistan ended up with 182 for 7 in 20 overs, a total that always felt slightly above par on this ground.
Salman’s innings had just the right mix of responsibility and aggression. Three sixes and three boundaries later, he walked off unbeaten — and later, with the Player of the Match award in hand.
Afghanistan fights, but collapses in the Middle
Afghanistan began well, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz firing a brisk 38 off 27 balls. At 92 for 2, they looked in control — but the Sharjah clash flipped in a heartbeat.
Enter Haris Rauf and Sufyan Moqim, backed up by Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz. Together, they ripped through Afghanistan’s middle order — the team slid from 92/2 to 97/7, losing five wickets for only four runs. In just a few minutes, the chase had completely fallen apart.
Rashid Khan’s Late Fireworks
Credit where it’s due: Rashid Khan refused to go quietly. He smashed 39 off 16 balls, with five towering sixes that lit up Sharjah. For a brief moment, supporters wondered if he might pull off a miracle. But once Rauf got him out, the resistance ended.
Afghanistan folded for 143 all out, handing Pakistan a comfortable 39-run win.
Why This Win Matters
This wasn’t just about points in a tri-series. For Pakistan, it was about rhythm, balance, and self-belief. With the Asia Cup 2025 just around the corner, they’ll be pleased to see contributions from both their captain and their bowlers.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, will take positives from Gurbaz and Rashid’s batting, but they’ll know their middle order needs more consistency if they want to trouble stronger sides in the coming weeks.
What’s Next?
The tri-series continues in Sharjah, with hosts UAE also in the mix. Every game counts because only the top two teams will qualify for the final on September 7.
For now, Pakistan have made the perfect start — and their supporters will hope this momentum carries into the Asia Cup.
