AFG vs PAK Highlights, 1st Match – UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025: Pakistan Win by 39 Runs

11:30 PM: Haris Rauf Finishes It Off!

Over 20: 0 0 0 0 W

Afghanistan: 141 all out | Pakistan win by 39 runs

Haris Rauf strikes in the final over as Fareed miscues to midwicket — sealing Pakistan’s victory!

Rauf bowled the last over with pace and variations. Fareed Ahmad swung hard but missed four balls in a row, struggling against the sharp short deliveries and slower ones outside off. Finally, on the fifth ball, he miscued a slower short delivery straight to midwicket where Saim Ayub made no mistake.
Fareed Ahmad c Saim Ayub b Haris Rauf 1 (6b)

Pakistan complete a dominant 39-run win, with Haris Rauf finishing with a superb spell at the death.

11:25 PM: Rashid Khan’s Blazing Cameo Ends, Shaheen Strikes in the 19th!

Overs 18-19: (17th over finish) 6 6 wd 0 6 0 W | (18th over) W 0 0 0 0 1 1

Afghanistan: 141/9 in 18 overs | Chasing 183

Rashid Khan smashed Haris Rauf for three sixes in one over, but perished soon after. Shaheen Afridi then shattered Mujeeb’s stumps to leave Afghanistan nine down.

Rashid Khan kept Afghan hopes alive in the 17th over with an explosive burst, launching three towering sixes over the off side and square leg, including one outrageous carve over deep backward point. Rauf, however, had the last laugh, deceiving Rashid with a slower delivery that was mistimed to deep square, ending his blistering 39 off just 16 balls.

Shaheen Afridi returned for the 18th and immediately struck, sneaking one back in to castle Mujeeb. The over was dominated by fiery short-pitched bowling as Fazalhaq Farooqi ducked and swiped unsuccessfully before surviving. A couple of singles closed the over, but Afghanistan are left needing a miracle: 42 off 12 with only one wicket in hand.

11:10 PM: Rashid Khan Clubs Afridi for a Huge Six!

Over 16: 0 6 wd 0 1 0 1

Afghanistan: Chasing 183 | Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman

Rashid Khan smashes Shaheen Shah Afridi over deep mid-wicket for a towering six, but Pakistan remain firmly in control.

Shaheen returns for his third over and almost immediately faces Rashid’s counterattack. After deceiving him with a slower ball to start, Rashid sits deep in the crease and muscles a length delivery over deep mid-wicket for six. A wide follows, but Shaheen quickly adjusts with sharp pace and accuracy. Rashid tries to swing big again but misses, before eventually flaying a full toss to deep point for a single. Mujeeb digs out a yorker before collecting a single from the last ball with an uppish cut to deep backward point. Afghanistan add 9 runs, but the asking rate continues to soar.

11:06 PM: Nabi Falls, Afghanistan in Deep Trouble!

Over 15: W 0 0 0 1 1

Afghanistan: Chasing 183 | Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Mohammad Nabi holes out to long-off as Sufiyan Muqeem strikes again!

Muqeem begins the over with a huge breakthrough as Nabi miscues a lofted shot to Faheem Ashraf at long-off. The spinner keeps the pressure on with three consecutive dot balls to new man Mujeeb, who struggles to connect. He finally gets off the mark with a single to sweeper cover. Rashid Khan then survives a borderline high full toss, nudging it to mid-wicket for one. Afghanistan manage only 2 runs in the over while losing their captain. The chase is slipping further away!

10:55 PM: Nawaz Strikes, Omarzai Stumped!

Over 14: 1 • W 1 • 1

Afghanistan: Chasing 183 | M Nabi, Rashid Khan

Mohammad Nawaz produces a beauty to dismiss Azmatullah Omarzai, stumped for a duck!

Nawaz begins with a short ball outside off that Nabi cuts away for a single. Omarzai, under pressure, plays and misses at a wide delivery before Nawaz gets him – the ball grips, spins away, and Haris completes a sharp stumping behind the sticks. Captain Rashid Khan walks in with his side in deep trouble, but he opens his account with a dab to deep point. Nawaz keeps the squeeze on with dots and a probing length, while Nabi digs out a full ball for a single to finish the over.

Just three runs and a massive wicket in the over – Afghanistan now need 89 off 42!

10:48 PM: Muqeem Keeps It Tight, Nabi Joins In

Over 13: • • • 1 • •

Afghanistan: Chasing 183 | Batters: Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi

A tidy over from Sufiyan Muqeem with just a single run conceded!

Muqeem bowls a probing over to new batters. Omarzai struggles against the length deliveries, defending and missing a couple outside off before pushing one back to the bowler. Nabi, fresh at the crease, gets off the mark with a late dab behind point but otherwise finds no gaps. Only 1 run from the over, as Pakistan tighten their grip.

Naveed Tariq: “Last 10-15 minutes have been electric for Pakistan. Double wicket maiden by Haris followed by a splendid catch by Sufyan! Pakistan fans are roaring again in Sharjah! Fantastic atmosphere in the North West Stand.”
Yushey Al Tusi: “I saw people here questioning Rauf’s selection in the match. In that last over, he certainly let the ball do the talking!”

10:44 PM: Rauf’s Double Strike Turns the Game!

Over 12: 0 0 W 0 0 W

Afghanistan: Chasing 183 | Batters: Darwish Rasooli, (new batter)

Haris Rauf gets Atal and Janat in the same over!

Rauf returns and mixes his pace beautifully. 11.1 — slower ball full outside off, Atal gropes and misses. 11.2 — off-pace again, back of a length, another play-and-miss. 11.3 — wicket! Atal, deceived by the change-up, slices to deep third where Shaheen takes a clean catch. Janat walks in at No. 5 and is beaten for pace twice (11.4, 11.5) before 11.6 brings another wicket — he picks out deep square leg. A superb over yields two wickets and just dots otherwise.

Fan view: “You can’t bring your key bowler after 10 overs…” — counterpoint: with the rate up near ten-an-over, attacking options like Muqeem and Rauf become even more potent.

10:40 PM: Rasooli Gets Lucky Boundary Off Muqeem

Over 11: 0 2 4 1 0 1

Afghanistan: Chasing 183 | Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli

Rasooli edges one past the keeper for a streaky four, but Muqeem keeps it under control.

Muqeem comes into the attack with Afghanistan needing 98 off 60. Rasooli starts watchfully with a dot before punching one through cover for two. He gets lucky next ball as an inside edge races past the keeper for four. A single to sweeper cover follows, but Atal can’t beat point on the fifth ball. Atal manages just a scuffed single to long off to close the over. Afghanistan add 8 runs.

10:35 PM: Rasooli Smashes a Six Off Ayub!

Over 10: 1 1 6 2 1 0

Afghanistan: Chasing 183 | Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli

Darwish Rasooli launches Saim Ayub over extra cover for a big six!

Ayub continues and is greeted with positive intent. Rasooli collects singles early in the over before stepping out and smashing a floated delivery high over extra cover for six. He adds two more with a well-placed drive past extra cover, while Atal rotates strike with a single. Ayub finishes strongly, beating Atal with a sharp turning delivery that grips and spins past the bat. Afghanistan add 11 runs in the over.

10:30 PM: Salman Keeps It Tight

Over 9: 1 2 1 1 0 1

Afghanistan: Chasing 183 | Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli

Salman Agha concedes just 6 runs in his first over.

Salman comes around the wicket and keeps it tight with variations in length. Atal and Rasooli manage to rotate the strike with a couple of singles and a two, but Rasooli almost gifts a chance off a leading edge, which Salman cannot hold onto diving forward. Afghanistan add 6 runs in the over without losing a wicket.

10:25 PM: Nawaz Removes Gurbaz!

Over 8: 1 0 6 1 0 W

Afghanistan: Chasing 183 | Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli

Mohammad Nawaz bowls Gurbaz around his legs!

Nawaz fires in a full delivery on middle, and Gurbaz, moving too far across, misses it completely. The ball thunders into middle stump, dismissing Gurbaz for 38 (27b, 3×4, 1×6, SR: 140.74). Earlier, Atal smashes a huge six over cow corner, but Nawaz keeps it tight otherwise, conceding only 8 runs in the over.

10:20 PM: Atal’s Stunning Reverse Six!

Over 7: 1 1 1 0 1 6

Afghanistan: Chasing 183 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal

Sediqullah Atal smashes a reverse six off Saim Ayub!

Ayub darts one in on a back of a length, but Atal unleashes a brilliant reverse shot, sending it soaring over backward point. Gurbaz adds singles, while a close LBW shout against him is turned down, with the umpire ruling the impact outside the line.

10:15 PM: Gurbaz Smashes a Six!

Over 6: 6 1 1

Afghanistan: Chasing 183 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal

Gurbaz launches Haris Rauf for a massive six!

Rauf bowls one in the slot, and Gurbaz whips it over deep backward square leg into the stands. Atal follows with a single, cutting a short ball to deep backward point, while Gurbaz adds another run off a slower ball.

10:05 PM: Shaheen Strikes Early!

Shaheen Shah Afridi bowls out Ibrahim Zadran!

A vintage delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi! A swinging yorker into the blockhole crashes into middle stump. Ibrahim Zadran (9 off 11, 2×4) misreads the swing and length, and the ball cannons off his back boot into the stumps. Shaheen celebrates in style, giving Pakistan a strong start.

Ibrahim Zadran b Shaheen Shah Afridi 9 (11b 2×4 0x6) SR: 81.81

9:42 PM: Pakistan Finish at 182/7!

Over 20: 1 W 4 NB 2 6 W

Pakistan: 182/7 (20 overs) | Target for Afghanistan: 183

Fareed Ahmad removes Mohammad Haris, caught by Sediqullah Atal at deep midwicket!

Fareed starts with a single, followed by a slow length ball that Haris lofts high but without distance, resulting in a catch. New batter Faheem Ashraf starts aggressively with a four drilled over the bowler’s head. A no-ball follows, leading to a free-hit, where Ashraf takes two runs to deep square leg. He then smashes a six to long-off. However, Ashraf is run out on the final delivery, departing for 14 off 5 balls.

9:34 PM: Salman Agha’s Fifty!

Salman Agha reaches his half-century!

A captain’s knock from Salman Agha, who came in when Pakistan were struggling and steadied the innings with a crucial 50-run partnership alongside Mohammad Nawaz. His knock includes three fours and three sixes so far.

This marks Agha’s fourth T20 fifty for Pakistan in 19 innings, a timely boost for his team.

9:25 PM: Close Call for Haris!

Mohammad Haris narrowly escapes dismissal!

Haris goes down on one knee, attempting to smash the ball to the boundary, but it spins away, missing both his bat and the stumps by a whisker. To Afghanistan’s frustration, the ball races away for four!

9:19 PM: Mujeeb Gets Nawaz!

Over 16: 0 1 4 W 1 0

Pakistan: 137/5 (16 overs) | Mohammad Haris 1 (1), Salman Agha 42 (28)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman strikes! Mohammad Nawaz (21) falls as Mujeeb returns to the attack.

Mujeeb concedes 6 runs in the over alongside the crucial wicket.

9:14 PM: Pakistan Fireworks!

Over 15: 6 1 1 0 6 0

Pakistan: 131/4 (15 overs) | Mohammad Nawaz 17 (9), Salman Agha 41 (25)

Azmatullah Omarzai returns to the attack, but Pakistan smash 14 runs, including two sixes.

9:08 PM: Steady Over from Nabi

Over 14: 0 1 Wd 1 0 1 1

Pakistan: 117/4 (14 overs) | Mohammad Nawaz 4 (4), Salman Agha 40 (24)

Mohammad Nabi returns to the attack, conceding 5 runs in a disciplined over.

9:03 PM: Big Over for Pakistan!

Over 13: L1 1 6 6 2 L1

Pakistan: 112/4 (13 overs) | Mohammad Nawaz 2 (2), Salman Agha 38 (20)

Rashid Khan returns to the attack, but Pakistan capitalize, scoring 17 runs with two sixes.

8:59 PM: Fareed Strikes!

Over 12: W 1 4 2 4 1

Pakistan: 95/4 (12 overs) | Mohammad Nawaz 1 (1), Salman Agha 24 (15)

Fareed Ahmad removes Hasan Nawaz (9), but Pakistan score 12 runs in the over.

9:00 PM: Pakistan Building Partnership

Over 12: 1 1 0 2 1 0

Pakistan: 88/3 (12 overs) | Hasan Nawaz 10 (14), Salman Agha 17 (15)

Rashid Khan continues, conceding 5 runs in a tight over.

8:53 PM: Pakistan Pick Up Pace!

Over 11: 0 0 1 4 2 0

Pakistan: 83/3 (11 overs) | Hasan Nawaz 9 (12), Salman Agha 13 (11)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman returns, giving away 7 runs, including a boundary to Salman Agha.

8:47 PM: Solid Over for Pakistan!

Over 10: 1 1 4 1 1 1

Pakistan: 76/3 (10 overs) | Hasan Nawaz 8 (9), Salman Agha 7 (8)

Fareed Ahmad Malik enters the attack, conceding 9 runs with a boundary to Hasan Nawaz.

8:43 PM: Big Over for Pakistan!

Over 9: 0 1 0 1 2 0

Pakistan: 67/3 (9 overs) | Hasan Nawaz 1 (6), Salman Agha 5 (5)

Rashid Khan keeps the pressure on, conceding just 4 runs in this over.

8:40 PM: Nabi Gets Fakhar!

Over 8: 1 6 W 0 0 0

Pakistan: 63/3 (8 overs) | Hasan Nawaz 0 (3), Salman Agha 2 (2)

Mohammad Nabi strikes! Fakhar Zaman (20) caught at long-on by Zadran.

Nabi delivers a tight over, giving away 7 runs alongside the crucial wicket.

8:35 PM: Rashid Removes Ayub!

Over 7: 0 0 1 0 W 1

Pakistan: 56/2 (7 overs) | Fakhar Zaman 14 (15), Salman Agha 1 (1)

Rashid Khan joins the attack and strikes! Saim Ayub (14) slices to Fareed at deep point.

Only 2 runs conceded in Rashid’s first over.

8:30 PM: Powerplay Ends

Over 6: 1 0 1 4 0 0

Pakistan: 54/1 (6 overs) | Fakhar Zaman 13 (12), Saim Ayub 14 (13)

Mohammad Nabi enters the attack, conceding 6 runs in his first over.

8:27 PM: Expensive Over from Farooqi!

Over 5: 1 0 2 L4 4 2

Pakistan: 48/1 (5 overs) | Fakhar Zaman 12 (10), Saim Ayub 9 (10)

Fazalhaq Farooqi returns and leaks 13 runs, including a leg-bye four and a boundary.

8:21 PM: Tight Bowling by Mujeeb

Over 4: 0 1 0 Wd 1 0 0

Pakistan: 35/1 (4 overs) | Fakhar Zaman 4 (5), Saim Ayub 8 (9)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman keeps it economical, giving away just 3 runs.

8:17 PM: Azmatullah Strikes!

Over 3: 6 2 W WD 3 2 0

Pakistan: 32/1 (3 overs) | Fakhar Zaman 3 (1), Saim Ayub 7 (7)

Azmatullah Omarzai breaks through! Sahibzada Farhan (21 off 10) departs.

Omarzai’s over costs 16 runs, including a six and a wicket.

8:10 PM: Steady Over from Mujeeb

Over 2: 0 0 0 4 1 1

Pakistan: 16/0 (2 overs) | Sahibzada Farhan 11 (7), Saim Ayub 5 (5)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowls a disciplined over, conceding 6 runs.

8:05 PM: Strong Start for Pakistan

Over 1: 0 2 0 4 0 4

Pakistan: 10/0 (1 over) | Sahibzada Farhan 10 (6), Saim Ayub 0 (0)

Fareed Ahmad opens for Afghanistan, giving away 5 runs in the first over.

7:59 PM: Match Begins!

The T20I Tri-Series opener between Afghanistan and Pakistan is underway at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

7:55 PM: Match About to Start

The opening match of the T20I Tri-Series between Afghanistan and Pakistan is set to begin shortly.

7:47 PM: Pitch Report

The Sharjah pitch has uneven boundaries: 62 meters on one side and 70 meters on the other. The surface has dry grass, suggesting a slower track with some grip for spinners. Unlike typical Sharjah pitches, it lacks shine, indicating the ball may not skid through. A score of around 160 could be competitive.

7:38 PM: Afghanistan’s Playing XI

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad

7:37 PM: Pakistan’s Playing XI

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem

7:33 PM: Toss Update

Pakistan win the toss and elect to bat first at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.