The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has revealed a star-studded commentary team for the much-anticipated T20I tri-series between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and hosts UAE, starting Friday in Sharjah.
The panel includes four familiar Pakistani voices – Ramiz Raja, Aamir Sohail, Bazid Khan, and Salman Butt – who will bring their experience and insight to the mic. They’ll be joined by Indian broadcaster Neil Ojha and seasoned sports commentator Ahmad Fareed, making for a diverse and dynamic lineup.
The week-long series, running from August 29 to September 7, is being viewed as a crucial dress rehearsal ahead of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, also set to be staged in the UAE from September 9.
Originally, Pakistan was scheduled to host Afghanistan in a bilateral series this month. But with the Asia Cup around the corner, the PCB smartly suggested turning it into a tri-nation event in the Emirates – giving players extra game-time in local conditions.
The action begins under lights on Friday, with Pakistan taking on Afghanistan at 7:00 pm local time. Each team will face the other twice, before the top two sides square off in the final on September 7.
For fans, the match-ups promise high drama. Pakistan and Afghanistan have shared a fierce rivalry in T20Is, having met seven times before – Pakistan edging it 4-3. With both sides fielding strong squads, expect another chapter of intense cricket in Sharjah.
Pakistan squad: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (C), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.
Afghanistan squad: Rashid Khan (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Ishaq, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Schedule for UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025:
- Aug 29 – Afghanistan v Pakistan – 7pm
- Aug 30 – UAE v Pakistan – 7pm
- Sept 1 – UAE v Afghanistan – 7pm
- Sept 2 – Pakistan v Afghanistan – 7pm
- Sept 4 – Pakistan v UAE – 7pm
- Sept 5 – Afghanistan v UAE – 7pm
- Sept 7 – Final – 7pm
With the Asia Cup just days away, this tri-series is more than just a warm-up – it’s a chance for Pakistan, Afghanistan, and UAE to test combinations, settle nerves, and make a statement before the big stage.
