Sharjah, August 29, 2025 — In the first match of the coveted T20I tri-nation series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first against Afghanistan on Friday evening. This tri-nation event also features the UAE and serves as a crucial preparatory platform ahead of the Asia Cup 2025.(Geo Super, The News International, The Indian Express)
Playing XIs Confirmed
- Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem(Geo Super)
- Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmed(Geo Super)
Head-to-Head Snapshot
Pakistan and Afghanistan have faced off seven times in T20 Internationals, with Pakistan holding a slight edge at four wins to Afghanistan’s three.(Geo Super)
Their only bilateral T20I series to date was in 2023, which Afghanistan clinched 2–1, marking their first-ever series win over Pakistan.(Wikipedia)
Recent Form: Both Teams Riding Similar Momentum
Both Pakistan and Afghanistan head into the tri-series buoyed by three wins in their last five matches:
- Pakistan posted a 2–1 series victory in the recent T20I bilateral against West Indies.(mint, Wikipedia)
- Afghanistan similarly wrapped up a 2–1 win over Zimbabwe in their latest outing.(The Indian Express, mint)
Live Match Highlights (As of This Evening)
Pakistan got off to a flying start inside the first powerplay, reaching 54/1 in the first 6 overs, thanks to Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman’s early aggression.(Business Standard, mint)
- Sahibzada Farhan lit up the evening with a quickfire 21 off 10 balls before falling to Azmatullah Omarzai.(NDTV Sports, Business Standard, mint)
- Saim Ayub (14) was next to go as Rashid Khan struck in the 7th over.(Business Standard, mint)
- Fakhar Zaman followed shortly thereafter (20), dismissed by Mohammad Nabi, leaving Pakistan 83/3 by 10 overs.(Business Standard, mint)
- Hasan Nawaz (9) also perished soon after, courtesy of Fareed Ahmad—resulting in Pakistan at 83/4 in 11.1 overs.(The Indian Express, Business Standard, mint)
What It All Means
The toss decision to bat first puts Pakistan onto a flat track offering batting conditions, though early losses have put them under pressure. Afghanistan’s varied spin attack—boasting the likes of Rashid, Nabi, Mujeeb, and Fareed—has already made significant inroads. A total of around 160 might still be par for the course on this surface.(The Indian Express, mint)
The Road Ahead
This high-stakes encounter sets the tone for a tri-series that doubles as a strategic warm-up ahead of the Asia Cup, scheduled to kick off next month in UAE. Both teams will hope tonight’s opener provides momentum and clarity as they vie for an early advantage.(mint, The News International, Wikipedia)
Summary Table
| Key Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Toss & Decision | Pakistan won toss and chose to bat first |
| Key Players | Pakistan: Farhan, Ayub, Zaman, Agha; Afghanistan: Rashid, Nabi, Mujeeb |
| Current State | Pakistan struggling at 83/4 after 11.1 overs |
| Broader Context | Tri-series serves as final prep for Asia Cup 2025 |