On August 29, 2025, Pakistan launched the Sharjah tri-series with a commanding 39-run victory over Afghanistan at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Captain Salman Agha’s unbeaten 53 guided Pakistan to 182-7, while Haris Rauf’s four wickets dismantled Afghanistan’s chase, ending at 143 in 19.5 overs.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat. Opener Sahibzada Farhan set an aggressive tone, scoring 21 runs off 10 balls with two sixes and a boundary. However, the innings faltered early. Captain Salman Agha then anchored the effort with an unbeaten 53 off 36 balls, hitting three sixes and three boundaries. Additionally, Agha’s 53-run partnership with Mohammad Nawaz, who scored 21 off 11 balls with two sixes and a boundary, added 51 runs in the final five overs, lifting Pakistan to a competitive 182-7.
A victory to start our tri-nation series campaign! 💪@HarisRauf14 stars with a 4️⃣-fer as Pakistan clinch a thumping 3️⃣9️⃣-run win 🏏#BackTheBoysInGreen | #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/NHWYrzFx7T
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 29, 2025Afghanistan started strongly, with opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz scoring 38 off 27 balls, including a six and three boundaries. For instance, Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal, who made 23, built a 51-run stand for the second wicket. However, Haris Rauf’s game-changing 12th over dismissed Atal and Karim Janat without conceding a run. Rauf finished with 4-31, while Shaheen Afridi took 2-21, and spinners Mohammad Nawaz (2-23) and Sufiyan Muqeem (2-25) sealed Afghanistan’s fate at 143. Rashid Khan’s explosive 39 off 16 balls, with five sixes, came too late.
Post-match vibes in Sharjah as Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by 39 runs in the first game of the T20I tri-nation series 🎥🇵🇰#BackTheBoysInGreen | #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/K00OPBu9mx
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 30, 2025Salman Agha’s fourth T20I fifty provided stability, showcasing his leadership. Meanwhile, Haris Rauf’s fiery spell, particularly his double-wicket over, shifted momentum. The spin duo of Nawaz and Muqeem thrived on Sharjah’s pitch, proving crucial.
The tri-series, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE, sees each team play twice, with the top two advancing to the final on September 7, 2025. Pakistan’s next match is against the UAE on August 30. This win positions them strongly, especially following their 2022 Asia Cup final loss to Afghanistan.
