Pakistan thrash Afghanistan by 75 runs to lift Sharjah tri-series title
UAE now set to host Asia Cup 2025 matches at Dubai and Abu Dhabi stadiums
DUBAI – Pakistan men’s cricket team stormed to a dominant 75-run victory over Afghanistan in the final of the T20 International tri-series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Spinner Mohammad Nawaz starred with both bat and ball, producing a stunning hat-trick to crush Afghanistan’s hopes in front of a packed crowd.
Nawaz became only the third Pakistani to register a T20I hat-trick, ending with figures of 5-19, as Afghanistan crumbled to 66 all out while chasing 142. The left-arm spinner had earlier chipped in with a quick-fire 25 off 21 balls, including two sixes, proving decisive in Pakistan’s first innings. His all-round display earned him the Player of the Match award.
Winners of the UAE Tri-Series 2025 ????????????
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 7, 2025
Pakistan claim the title with a dominant 75-run victory in the Final at Sharjah ✨#BackTheBoysInGreen | #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/N7I1VqjOrL
The triumph capped a strong build-up for Pakistan ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, starting on 9 September in the UAE, where both Pakistan and Afghanistan will again feature.
Pakistan vs Afghanistan
Opting to bat first after skipper Salman Ali Agha won the toss, Pakistan were restricted to 141-8 as Afghanistan’s spinners applied constant pressure. Rashid Khan led the Afghan charge with three wickets, supported by Noor Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi who picked up two apiece.
Pakistan’s innings had a rocky start with opener Sahibzada Farhan bowled early by Fazalhaq. Fakhar Zaman briefly lifted momentum with a six off Mohammad Nabi but fell lbw to Rashid Khan. Opener Saim Ayub and middle-order batter Hasan Nawaz also departed cheaply, leaving Pakistan struggling at 61-3 by the halfway mark.
Salman Ali Agha contributed 24 with two sixes, while Faheem Ashraf struck some boundaries late on. Nawaz added vital runs with aggressive strokes, lifting Pakistan to what proved a winning total.
Afghanistan’s chase unravelled from the outset as regular wickets fell. Nawaz struck a devastating blow with a hat-trick spanning the sixth and eighth overs, removing key batters to leave Afghanistan reeling. His spin was unplayable under Sharjah’s lights, as the Afghan side folded within 12.2 overs for just 66.
Other Pakistani spinners joined the carnage, with Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Moqim claiming two wickets each. The combined effort ensured Afghanistan never recovered from the early damage.
Asia Cup 2025
The Sharjah tri-series, which also featured hosts United Arab Emirates, served as a warm-up tournament for the Asia Cup 2025. Pakistan had earlier beaten Afghanistan by 39 runs in the series opener, while Afghanistan responded with an 18-run win in the second meeting before the final showdown. The UAE side registered competitive performances but fell short in both fixtures.
Now, attention shifts to the Asia Cup beginning on 9 September, with matches scheduled in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in addition to online ticket sales already underway. Fans are eagerly awaiting the India-Pakistan clash, with tickets starting at Dh475 and packages available for multiple games. The tournament will bring together leading Asian teams in a high-profile contest across the Emirates.