Pakistan Beat Afghanistan by 39 Runs-The UAE T20I Tri-Series got off to a dramatic start on Friday evening at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, as Pakistan overcame a mid-innings batting collapse and then produced a fiery bowling display to defeat Afghan by 39 runs. The victory gave Pak the perfect start in the tri-nation tournament, which also features hosts UAE.
Pakistan, led by stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha, had to dig deep after losing momentum midway through their innings. Later, a ruthless spell by Haris Rauf and young spinner Sufiyan Muqeem destroyed Afghanistan’s batting hopes, as Rashid Khan’s side lost five wickets for just four runs in a stunning collapse that turned the game decisively in Pakistan’s favor.
Pak’s Stuttering Start and Agha’s Rescue Act
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pak got off to a brisk start with openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub finding early boundaries. However, Afghanistan struck back through their disciplined pace attack, reducing Pakistan to 83/4 by the halfway stage of the innings. The collapse silenced the Sharjah crowd, who had turned up in large numbers to witness the opening clash.
At that crucial moment, skipper Salman Ali Agha stepped up with a composed and authoritative half-century. Displaying a calm temperament under pressure, Agha rotated the strike effectively and punished loose deliveries to steady the innings. He forged a valuable 50-run stand with all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, ensuring Pak recovered from their slump.
Thanks to Agha’s resilience and Nawaz’s support, Pak managed to post a competitive 182/7 in their allotted 20 overs. For Afghan, left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi and leg-spinner Rashid Khan were the pick of the bowlers, applying pressure in the middle overs. Yet, the inability to dismiss Agha early proved costly.
Afghanistan’s Promising Chase Derails
Chasing 183, Afghan began with intent. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, their aggressive wicketkeeper-opener, played a few audacious strokes to set the tone. Alongside Ibrahim Zadran, he ensured that Afghan reached 92/2 at a healthy strike rate, keeping Pak’s bowlers on the back foot.
At that stage, the Afghan camp looked confident of pulling off the chase. But the game turned dramatically in just 17 deliveries. Haris Rauf, renowned for his pace and yorkers, ripped through Afghanistan’s middle order with two quick wickets. Young left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem joined the party, striking twice in the same spell.
In no time, Afghan slumped from 92/2 to 97/7, losing five wickets for a mere four runs. The batting meltdown stunned both the Afghan players and their supporters in the stands. From being in control, Afghanistan suddenly found themselves out of the contest.
Although lower-order batter Karim Janat tried to offer resistance, Pak’s bowlers maintained their stranglehold. Afghan were eventually bowled out for 143 in 18.5 overs, handing Pakistan a comfortable 39-run victory.
Key Performers(Pakistan VS Afghanistan )
Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan): The stand-in skipper’s half-century was the defining knock of the match. Coming in at a time when Pak had lost momentum, Agha showed maturity, rebuilding the innings and anchoring the middle overs. His ability to stay calm and rotate strike provided stability, while his late acceleration ensured a fighting total.
Haris Rauf (Pakistan): Once again, Rauf demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the most dangerous bowlers in T20 cricket. His fiery pace and pinpoint yorkers broke Afgha’s backbone just when they looked threatening. His spell of controlled aggression changed the course of the match.
Sufiyan Muqeem (Pakistan): The young spinner complemented Rauf perfectly, exploiting Afghan’s panic during their collapse. His double strike in the middle overs tightened the screws and proved decisive in Pakistan’s defense.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan): For Afghan, Gurbaz’s attacking intent kept them in the chase early on. His shot-making ability troubled Pak’s seamers, but his dismissal opened the floodgates for the eventual collapse.
Pakistan’s Transition Phase Gets a Boost
For Pak, the win comes at a critical time. The team has been in transition since the 2024 T20 World Cup debacle, with senior players struggling for form and a reshuffle in central contracts raising questions about the side’s direction. Salman Ali Agha, entrusted with leadership duties for this tri-series, showed character not only with the bat but also in his on-field decisions.
Pakistan’s recent record in T20 internationals has been patchy, with four defeats in their last seven bilateral series. Friday’s victory, however, will inject much-needed confidence into a side looking to rebuild. With the Asia Cup around the corner, the tri-series serves as valuable preparation.
Afghanistan’s Concerns
Afghan, meanwhile, will be disappointed with their sudden batting collapse. The team has enjoyed a strong record against Pak in recent years, winning three of their last four T20I encounters before this match. Rashid Khan’s men looked set to continue that streak, but poor shot selection and pressure handling cost them dearly.
Having reached the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup, expectations from Afghan have risen. However, this performance highlighted their middle-order fragility, an area they will need to address quickly before their next match in the tri-series.
The tri-series continues with Afghan and UAE facing off in the next clash. Pak, buoyed by their win, will look to build on the momentum and test their bench strength ahead of bigger challenges.
The Sharjah opener was a reminder of Pak’s unpredictability—capable of both dramatic collapses and remarkable comebacks in the same game. For Afghanistan, it was a missed opportunity, but one that provides lessons as they eye redemption in the matches ahead.
Final Scorecard:
- Pakistan: 182/7 (20 overs) – Salman Ali Agha 50+, Mohammad Nawaz 30+
- Afghanistan: 143 all out (18.5 overs) – Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored, Haris Rauf & Sufiyan Muqeem 2 wickets each
Result: Pakistan won by 39 runs.
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