New Delhi: Pakistan began their tri-series campaign on a strong note with a 39-run victory over Afghanistan in Sharjah. Skipper Salman Agha played a crucial role scoring a composed half-century and Haris Rauf’s fiery spell ripped through the Afghan batting order.
Salman led from the front as he scored an unbeaten 53 off 36 balls, holding the innings together after an early wobble. He was backed by valuable cameos from the middle order players- Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris and Faheem Ashraf. They together powered Pakistan to a competitive total that proved too much for Afghanistan in the end.
Not the result we would have wanted to begin our journey with, but #AfghanAtalan will look to bounce back stronger when they get to the field again. 👍#UAETriNationSeries | #AFGvPAK | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/dYXZtQvh8g
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 29, 2025
Sahibzada Farhan set the tone in the power play, attacking Fazalhaq Farooqi from the very beginning. His intent was clear as he blasted 21 off just 10 balls. While his stay was brief but the impact he had was significant. Even as Afghanistan’s spinners pulled things back with a tight middle phase, Farhan’s quick runs ensured Pakistan didn’t fall too far behind.
For the next eight overs, Rashid Khan and his bowling unit squeezed Pakistan effectively conceding just 51 runs and picking up wickets at regular intervals. But Pakistan’s depth with the bat allowed them to keep pressing and went on to register a huge target of 182 runs.
Captain leads from the front
Salman Agha’s battle with Rashid Khan proved decisive. In the 14th over, the Pakistan captain stepped up and smashed the Afghan talisman for two sixes that shifted the momentum back in Pakistan’s favour. Nawaz joined the charge soon after hitting a couple of clean strikes himself as Pakistan’s innings caught fire in the final stretch.
Salman Ali Agha saved us again from collapse, played sensible innings, smashed Rashid Khan for sixes and showed his haters that he is one of the best T20s batters we have right now in Pakistan. #PAKvsAFG pic.twitter.com/pYhwSCmRcr
— Tehseen Qasim (@Tehseenqasim) August 29, 2025
The pair ensured Pakistan finished strongly with Salman carrying his bat through for a well-judged half-century. From the last nine overs Pakistan scored 99 runs, pushing their total beyond Afghanistan’s reach.
Rauf’s double-wicket maiden breaks Afghanistan
Afghanistan were chasing a target with patience and things looked well-placed at 93 for 2 after 11 overs. Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli had steadied things and the equation seemed manageable but the game turned on its head when Haris Rauf returned.
Rauf was bowling with pace and aggression and delivered a stunning double-wicket maiden in the 12th over, dismissing Sediqullah Atal and Karim Janat. The spell triggered a collapse Afghanistan couldn’t recover from. Over the next few overs, they lost five wickets for just four runs as Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Nawaz joined the demolition job.
Though Rashid Khan briefly lit up the chase with a whirlwind 39 off 16 balls, the damage had long been done. Afghanistan were bowled out of contention, leaving Pakistan to celebrate a commanding start to the tri-series.