Pakistan opened their tri-series campaign in style with a 40-run win over Afghanistan at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, powered by a fiery four-wicket spell from Haris Rauf and a resilient half-century from captain Salman Ali Agha.
Chasing a stiff 183-run target, Afghanistan folded for 143 in 19.5 overs, despite a spirited counterattack from captain Rashid Khan, who smashed 39 runs off just 16 balls, hitting one four and five sixes.
Afghanistan started brightly, reaching 60/1 in seven overs through Rahmanullah Gurbaz (38 off 27), before left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz bowled him around his legs. After that, Pakistan seized control.
Haris Rauf dismantled the middle order with a devastating burst, triggering a collapse where Afghanistan lost five wickets for just 37 runs. Rauf finished with figures of 4/31 in 3.5 overs, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Nawaz picked up two wickets each.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 182/7, led by skipper Salman Ali Agha’s unbeaten 53 off 36 balls with three fours and three sixes. He shared a crucial 53-run partnership in just 28 balls with Mohammad Nawaz (21 off 11) to revive Pakistan after they slipped to 83/4.
Openers Sahibzada Farhan (21 off 10) and Saim Ayub (14 off 16) made brisk starts, while Fakhar Zaman (20) and Mohammad Haris (15) chipped in. Afghan pacer Fareed Ahmad took two wickets but was expensive, conceding 47 runs.
The tri-series, running from August 29 to September 7 in Sharjah, serves as crucial preparation for the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, scheduled from September 9 to 28 in the UAE.
Meanwhile, the stands were buzzing with excitement as organisers separated Pakistan and Afghan supporters with colour-coded tickets — green for Pakistan fans and blue for Afghanistan fans. Afghan supporters turned up in greater numbers, adding intensity to the atmosphere.
With this win, Pakistan extended their edge in head-to-head T20Is against Afghanistan, now leading 5-3 across eight matches.
