Trophy Unveiled for Pakistan-Afghanistan-UAE T20I Tri-Series

The stage is set in Sharjah as the trophy for the much-anticipated T20I tri-nation series featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was officially unveiled on Thursday.

The ceremony took place at the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium, attended by Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan, and UAE’s leader Muhammad Waseem, who posed alongside the glittering silverware that will be up for grabs.

The tri-series, running from August 29 to September 7, is being billed as crucial preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, which kicks off just two days later in the UAE.

Originally, Pakistan were scheduled to host Afghanistan in a bilateral series this month. But the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) proposed expanding the series into a tri-nation event and shifting it to the UAE, giving players the chance to adjust to local conditions ahead of the continental showpiece.

The tournament begins on Friday, August 29, with Pakistan taking on Afghanistan under the lights at 7:00 pm local time. Each side will face the other twice in a double round-robin format, with the top two qualifying for the final on September 7.

Pakistan, captained by Salman Ali Agha, have named a strong squad featuring the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, and Haris Rauf. Afghanistan will be led by talismanic spinner Rashid Khan, while hosts UAE look to make their mark with an experienced lineup under Muhammad Waseem.

The tri-series not only adds excitement to the international calendar but also provides a golden opportunity for teams to fine-tune their combinations before the Asia Cup showdown beginning September 9 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.