Cricket fans witnessed a fierce rivalry unfold in the desert as Afghanistan and Pakistan clashed twice during the UAE Tri-Nation T20I Series 2025, hosted in Sharjah. The first encounter on August 29, 2025, saw Pakistan dominate, but Afghanistan returned with fire, stunning the men in green on September 2, 2025, and leveling the head-to-head 1–1.
These high-voltage matches served as crucial preparation for both sides ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, making the stakes even higher.
Match Overview — 1st T20I (August 29, 2025)
Pakistan started their campaign in style, outclassing Afghanistan by 39 runs in the series opener.
| Match Details | Summary |
|---|---|
| Venue | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| Toss | Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat |
| Pakistan Innings | 182/7 in 20 overs |
| Afghanistan Innings | 143 all out in 19.5 overs |
| Result | Pakistan won by 39 runs |
| Player of the Match | Salman Ali Agha (53* off 36 balls) |
Pakistan Batting Highlights
Pakistan looked in control from the start. Openers provided a steady base, but it was Salman Ali Agha who took charge in the middle overs. His unbeaten 53 off 36 balls, laced with precision and smart rotation, guided Pakistan to a strong total. Sahibzada Farhan and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with valuable cameos, accelerating the run rate in the final overs.
Afghanistan Bowling Highlights
Despite the pitch favoring spinners, Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled with line and length. Rashid Khan bowled economically, but lacked breakthroughs. Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai were expensive at the death, allowing Pakistan to finish strong.
Afghanistan Batting Collapse
Chasing 183, Afghanistan started well, but a quick collapse in the middle overs saw them lose 5 wickets for just 4 runs. The only significant resistance came from Ibrahim Zadran (29) and Najibullah Zadran (25), but the pressure of the required run rate proved too much.
Pakistan’s pace attack, led by Haris Rauf, dismantled the Afghan middle order with pinpoint yorkers and variation in pace.
Bowling Performances – 1st T20I
| Pakistan Bowlers | Figures |
|---|---|
| Haris Rauf | 3/28 (4 overs) |
| Usama Mir | 2/19 (3 overs) |
| Naseem Shah | 1/22 (3 overs) |
Pakistan’s bowlers showed discipline and used the Sharjah pitch smartly, forcing errors from Afghan batters.
Key Moments — 1st T20I
Salman Ali Agha’s calm 50 anchored the Pakistan innings.
A mid-innings Afghan collapse (5 wickets in 14 balls) sealed their fate.
Haris Rauf’s speed and yorkers were unplayable.
Player of the Match — Salman Ali Agha
His composed half-century under pressure set the foundation for a defendable score and earned him the match award.
Match Overview — 2nd T20I (September 2, 2025)
Afghanistan bounced back in stunning fashion, defeating Pakistan by 18 runs to level the series.
| Match Details | Summary |
|---|---|
| Venue | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| Toss | Afghanistan won and elected to bat |
| Afghanistan Innings | 169/5 in 20 overs |
| Pakistan Innings | 151/9 in 20 overs |
| Result | Afghanistan won by 18 runs |
| Player of the Match | Ibrahim Zadran (65 off 45 balls) |
Afghanistan Batting Highlights
Afghanistan finally clicked with the bat. Ibrahim Zadran (65) and Sediqullah Atal (64) put on a dazzling show with a 104-run partnership. Both played aggressive yet calculated cricket, punishing loose deliveries and rotating the strike efficiently.
Their footwork against Pakistan’s spinners was especially impressive, showcasing Afghanistan’s growing confidence in the T20 format.
Pakistan Bowling Woes
Pakistan’s bowling lacked the sharpness they displayed in the first match. Debutant Sonny Baker had a forgettable outing, conceding 39 in 4 overs. Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf tried to control the flow, but Atal and Zadran were simply too good.
Pakistan Batting Under Pressure
Pakistan’s chase never really took off. Mohammad Rizwan (27) and Babar Azam (22) provided a slow start, and the pressure kept mounting. When wickets started tumbling, it was too late.
Haris Rauf, surprisingly, became the top scorer with a blistering 34 off 16, but it was too little too late as Pakistan finished 18 runs short.
Bowling Performances – 2nd T20I
| Afghanistan Bowlers | Figures |
|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | 2/23 (4 overs) |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 2/25 (4 overs) |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 1/28 (3 overs) |
The spinners worked in tandem, building pressure and taking crucial middle-over wickets that derailed Pakistan’s chase.
Key Moments — 2nd T20I
Zadran and Atal’s 104-run stand set up a competitive total.
Rashid Khan’s tight spell choked Pakistan in the middle overs.
Haris Rauf’s late onslaught kept hopes alive but wasn’t enough.
Player of the Match — Ibrahim Zadran
His explosive 65 at the top provided the momentum Afghanistan desperately needed and helped level the series.
What This Series Means
Afghanistan has shown they are no longer underdogs in T20 cricket. After a heavy loss in the first game, they regrouped and delivered a statement win. For Pakistan, inconsistency remains an issue. Their middle-order fragility and bowling depth need urgent fixes ahead of the Asia Cup 2025.
What’s Next?
The Tri-Nation Final is scheduled for September 7, 2025, in Sharjah. Both teams are in strong contention, and the result could set the tone for the Asia Cup 2025, which begins shortly after.
Final Thoughts
The Afghanistan vs Pakistan T20I rivalry continues to grow, delivering thrilling contests and showcasing the rise of Afghan cricket. With stars like Zadran, Rashid, and Atal leading the charge, Afghanistan has made it clear — they are here to compete, and they are here to win.
Pakistan, on the other hand, must regroup quickly. The road to the Asia Cup is short, and sharper performances will be needed to reclaim dominance.
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