Pakistan Clinch Tri-Series Title with Dominant Win Over Afghanistan

On September 7, 2025, Pakistan faced Afghanistan in the final of the UAE T20I Tri-Series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, a venue known for its balanced pitch that challenges both batsmen and bowlers and the game was an amazing one for the fans.

Pakistan Innings

Winning the toss, Pakistan elected to bat, banking on their batting depth to set a formidable total. However, their innings began with a jolt when opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a duck in the first over, clean bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqi’s fiery inswinger that darted back to hit the stumps. The early wicket put Pakistan on the back foot, forcing the incoming batsmen to tread cautiously on a surface offering slight assistance to pace and spin.

.@fazalfarooqi10 gets his second wicket now as Mohammad Nawaz holes out to the deep, where Ibrahim Zadran pouches one safely. 👏

🇵🇰- 136/8 (19.2 Ov)#AfghanAtalan | #UAETriNationSeries | #AFGvPAK | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/AOlpW9uoHu

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 7, 2025

Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman were entrusted with steadying the innings. Ayub, displaying composure beyond his years, scored 17 runs off 19 balls, his two boundaries, a cover drive and a flicked shot through midwicket reflecting his technical skills. Zaman, the more aggressive partner, unleashed his flair with 27 off 26 balls, smashing two fours and a towering six over long-on that energized the Pakistan fans. Their 49-run stand for the second wicket was a vital recovery, though the run rate lingered around six per over, reflecting Afghanistan’s tight bowling. The partnership ended in the eighth over when Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s spin maestro, trapped Zaman lbw with a googly that deceived the batsman, tilting the momentum toward the bowling side.

Afghanistan’s spinners took control in the middle overs. Rashid, with his cunning variations, and Noor Ahmad, with his sharp left-arm spin, stifled Pakistan’s scoring. Hasan Nawaz, entering at number four, showed intent with 15 off 8 balls, including a boundary through point and a lofted six over cover, but his aggression cost him when Rashid had him caught in the 11th over, attempting another aerial drive. Mohammad Haris, the wicketkeeper-batsman, struggled to adapt, managing just 2 off 3 balls before Noor Ahmad bowled him with a skidding delivery that slipped through his defenses. At 72 for 5 after 11.3 overs, Pakistan were in a precarious position, their middle order unraveling under the pressure of Afghanistan’s disciplined attack.

Captain Salman Agha played a resolute knock of 24 off 27 balls, striking two sixes, one a lofted cover drive, the other a straight hit down the ground that kept Pakistan’s hopes alive. He found support in Mohammad Nawaz, who contributed a vital 25 off 21 balls, including two sixes, one a powerful shot over long-off that cleared the ropes with ease. Their 40-run sixth-wicket partnership pushed Pakistan past the 100-run mark, with Nawaz’s ability to find gaps and rotate the strike proving crucial against Afghanistan’s spinners.

However, both fell in quick succession as Salman caught off Rashid’s bowling in the 17th over, and Nawaz dismissed by Farooqi in the 18th, halting Pakistan’s acceleration. Faheem Ashraf provided a late flourish with 15 off 8 balls, hitting two fours and a six, but his dismissal in the 19th over, caught in the deep, limited Pakistan’s final surge. Shaheen Shah Afridi (2 not out) and Sufiyan Muqeem (0 not out) navigated the final balls, guiding Pakistan to 141 for 8 in 20 overs.

INNINGS CHANGE! 🔁@rashidkhan_19 (3/38) led the way with three wickets, whereas @noor_ahmad_15 (2/17) and @fazalfarooqi10 (2/19) returned with two wickets each as #AfghanAtalan reduced Pakistan to 141/8 runs in the first inning. 👏

Over to our batting unit…!#AfghanAtalan |… pic.twitter.com/Wa1In7H8cV

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 7, 2025

Afghanistan’s bowling was relentless. Rashid Khan led with 3 for 38 in four overs, his googlies and sharp turn dismantling Pakistan’s middle order. Fazalhaq Farooqi complemented him with 2 for 19, striking early with Farhan’s wicket and returning to remove Nawaz. Noor Ahmad’s 2 for 17 showcased his control, while AM Ghazanfar took a wicket but conceded 27 runs in his four overs. The Afghan bowlers kept discipline, conceding only 14 extras (7 wides, 5 leg byes, 2 byes), ensuring Pakistan’s total remained within reach. Pakistan’s innings was a tale of resilience, recovering from early setbacks to post a competitive 141, though they likely aimed for 160. Afghanistan’s spinners, particularly Rashid, kept them in check, setting up a tantalizing chase.

Afghanistan Innings

Chasing 142, Afghanistan’s innings collapsed spectacularly, folding for 66 all out in 15.5 overs, handing Pakistan a commanding 75-run victory and the UAE T20I Tri-Series title. The chase began disastrously when Shaheen Shah Afridi struck in the first over, dismissing the explosive Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 5, caught by Sahibzada Farhan at slip after edging a reckless drive. Gurbaz’s early departure was a massive blow, as Afghanistan relied on his firepower to set the tone. Sediqullah Atal offered brief resistance, scoring 13 off 15 balls with two boundaries, a lofted cover drive and a cut through point but his dismissal by Abrar Ahmed in the fifth over, bowled attempting a sweep, sparked a dramatic collapse.

Pakistan defend a low total brilliantly to win the tri-series against Afghanistan and UAE 🙌🔥 pic.twitter.com/yNgcWonUsl

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 7, 2025

Mohammad Nawaz, Pakistan’s left-arm spinner, delivered a match-defining performance, claiming 5 for 19 in four overs, including a sensational hat-trick. In the sixth over, he trapped Darwish Rasooli lbw for a duck with a skidding delivery, then dismissed Azmatullah Omarzai, also for a duck, caught behind after misjudging a turning ball. Nawaz completed his hat-trick in the eighth over, stumping Ibrahim Zadran (9 off 15) with a flighted delivery that lured the batsman out of his crease. His spell left Afghanistan at 32 for 5, with Nawaz’s variations in pace and sharp turn on the Sharjah pitch rendering him unplayable. His heroics earned him Player of the Match and Player of the Series honors.

Afghanistan’s hopes rested on Mohammad Nabi and captain Rashid Khan, but both faltered against Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack. Nabi scored just 3 off 10 balls before Abrar Ahmed dismissed him, caught at mid-on attempting a lofted shot. Rashid showed defiance, scoring 17 off 18 balls with two sixes, including a monstrous hit over long-on, but his dismissal caught off Nawaz’s bowling in the 12th over, ended any faint hopes of a recovery. At 55 for 8 after 12.2 overs, Afghanistan were on the brink, their batting in tatters.

The lower order offered little fight. Noor Ahmad managed 3 off 6 balls before falling to Sufiyan Muqeem, who bowled with precision to finish with 2 for 9 in 2.5 overs. AM Ghazanfar hit a six in his 7 off 7 balls but was caught off Muqeem attempting another big shot. Fazalhaq Farooqi remained not out on 2 off 11 balls, but Afghanistan’s innings ended in the 16th over, well short of the target. Pakistan’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Nawaz’s five-wicket haul the highlight, supported by Abrar’s 2 for 17 and Shaheen’s early breakthrough. Saim Ayub’s three overs went for just 10 runs, adding pressure with his tight off-spin.

Defeat in Sharjah!

Not the outcome we were aiming for, as #AfghanAtalan came second in the #UAETriNationSeries final.#AFGvPAK | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/u9zbNFgT2x

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 7, 2025

Afghanistan’s collapse stemmed from poor shot selection and an inability to counter Pakistan’s spinners. The powerplay yielded only 29 runs for four wickets, setting a dire tone. No partnership exceeded 21 runs, underscoring their failure to build momentum. Extras contributed 7 runs (3 wides, 3 leg byes, 1 bye), but the batting unit’s struggles on the turning pitch were glaring. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Nawaz’s brilliance, exploited the conditions expertly, securing a dominant victory.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

Rashid Khan’s spell was the defining moment of Pakistan’s innings, showcasing his T20 brilliance. Bowling his full four overs, Rashid took 3 for 38, striking at critical junctures to curb Pakistan’s scoring. His first wicket, Fakhar Zaman (27), came in the eighth over via an lbw decision, breaking a 49-run stand.

Rashid Khan takes third! 3️⃣@rashidkhan_19 removes his opposite number to give Afghanistan the 6th wicket in the game. 👏

🇵🇰- 112/6 (16.5 Ov)#AfghanAtalan | #UAETriNationSeries | #AFGvPAK | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/wmxtqW3AX5

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 7, 2025

In the 11th over, he dismissed Hasan Nawaz (15), caught attempting an aerial drive, halting Pakistan’s momentum. His final blow removed captain Salman Agha (24) in the 17th over, caught in the deep, ensuring Pakistan finished at 141 for 8. Rashid’s googlies and sharp turn, despite just seven dot balls, made his spell the standout moment, keeping Afghanistan in the game.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

Mohammad Nawaz was TCNI’s Hero of the Day for his extraordinary 5 for 19, including a hat-trick, in Pakistan’s 75-run rout of Afghanistan. Nawaz struck in the sixth over, dismissing Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai for ducks, then completed his hat-trick by stumping Ibrahim Zadran (9) in the eighth.

Tri Series Final (PAK vs AFG)

Mohammad Nawaz Single handedly dismantles Afghanistan's batting lineup, Picked a 5wicket haul by Conceding just 19 runs.#PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/prcZ8DhgKW

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) September 7, 2025

He also removed Karim Janat (0) and Rashid Khan (17), dismantling Afghanistan’s batting. His economy of 4.75, including a maiden, showcased his mastery on a turning pitch. Supported by Abrar Ahmed (2 for 17) and Sufiyan Muqeem (2 for 9), Nawaz’s heroics led Pakistan to a crushing victory, earning him Player of the Match and Player of the Series honors.