Afghanistan outplayed Pakistan by 18 runs in the Tri-Nation T20I Series on Tuesday, showcasing a commanding mix of batting firepower and disciplined bowling at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Atal and Zadran Power Afghanistan to 169
After choosing to bat first, Afghanistan overcame an early setback—Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s dismissal for 8—to build a formidable platform. Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran stitched together a 113-run partnership that defined the innings.
Atal’s aggressive 64 off 45 balls and Zadran’s equally brisk 65 from the same number of deliveries punished Pakistan’s bowlers, with the pair striking boundaries at will. Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf briefly pulled things back, delivering his best T20I figures of 4/27 and removing both set batters along with Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi. Even so, Rashid Khan and Karim Janat’s quick late contributions nudged Afghanistan to a challenging 169/5.
Pakistan Falter Despite Rauf’s Resistance
Pakistan’s chase unraveled almost immediately. Openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan fell cheaply, leaving the scoreboard at 29/2. Fakhar Zaman and skipper Agha Salman tried to steady the innings but were dismissed in quick succession, sparking a middle-order collapse.
From 67/4, Pakistan nosedived to 111/9, with Afghanistan’s spinners and seamers taking turns dismantling the lineup. Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Nabi, and Fazalhaq Farooqi each claimed two wickets, ensuring no batter could settle.
Haris Rauf’s late onslaught—an unbeaten 34 off just 16 deliveries featuring four sixes—alongside Sufiyan Muqeem’s resistance pushed Pakistan to 151/9, but the target remained out of reach.
Afghanistan Send Strong Message
This emphatic win not only reinforced Afghanistan’s growing reputation as a force in T20 cricket but also exposed Pakistan’s ongoing struggles with consistency. The result leaves Afghanistan well-placed in the Tri-Nation Series, while Pakistan will need a quick turnaround to stay in contention.
