In a thrilling encounter of the ongoing Tri-Nation T20 Series, Afghanistan outclassed Pakistan by 18 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, handing the Green Shirts a significant blow in the tournament.
Chasing a target of 170 runs, Pakistan faltered under pressure and managed only 151 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Afghanistan’s bowlers dominated the innings with Noor Ahmad, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Fazalhaq Farooqi each claiming two wickets.
Haris Rauf emerged as Pakistan’s top scorer, smashing an unbeaten 34 off just 16 deliveries in a late effort to revive the innings. Fakhar Zaman scored 25, while captain Salman Ali Agha contributed 20 runs. Sahibzada Farhan (18), Faheem Ashraf (14), Mohammad Nawaz (12), Hasan Nawaz (9), and the out-of-form Mohammad Haris (1) failed to build meaningful partnerships. Openers Saim Ayub and Shaheen Shah Afridi were dismissed without scoring.
Earlier, Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 169 for 5 after opting to bat first. Ibrahim Zadran top-scored with a composed 65, while Sediqullah Atal added an impressive 64. Pakistan’s medium pacer Faheem Ashraf was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4 wickets for just 27 runs. Saim Ayub chipped in with one wicket, while Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Mohammad Nawaz remained wicketless.
With this victory, Afghanistan have boosted their chances of advancing in the tri-nation series, while Pakistan will need to reassess their strategy ahead of the next fixture.
