Pakistan Clinches Tri-Series Title with Dominant Victory Over Afghanistan
Pakistan clinched the UAE Tri-Series 2025 title with a dominant 75-run win over Afghanistan in Sharjah. Relive the full match story, key highlights, player performances, stats, and expert analysis.
Today’s UAE T20I Tri-Series Final (September 7, 2025), where Pakistan thrashed Afghanistan. It’s presented in one comprehensive, flowing narrative—spanning every angle: buildup, ball-by-ball drama, key performances, tactical insights, reactions, and implications for the upcoming Asia Cup.
1. Tournament Context & Stakes
The UAE T20I Tri-Nation Series (August 29 – September 7, 2025) was more than just a mini-competition—it served as vital pre-season preparation for the Asia Cup 2025, involving the host UAE, alongside Pakistan and Afghanistan. Played entirely at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the series followed a double round-robin format. At the end of group matches, Pakistan and Afghanistan emerged as the finalists, with Pakistan eventually emerging triumphant. (Wikipedia)
Both finalists arrived in Sharjah eager to find form and confidence. For Pakistan, the aim was stability after inconsistent leads in limited-overs cricket. Afghanistan, riding on their spinners’ dominance and growing batting depth, looked to confirm their readiness as Asia Cup contenders.
2. Match Overview & Team Strategies
Toss and Conditions
The final took off on the evening of September 7, 2025, under lights at Sharjah. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bat, betting on a tough chase on a turning, crumbling surface. The pitch, notorious for assisting spin as the evening progressed, made batting first a smart choice. (Outlook India, Wikipedia)
Team Lineups
Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan; Saim Ayub; Fakhar Zaman; Salman Ali Agha (c); Mohammad Haris (wk); Hasan Nawaz; Mohammad Nawaz; Faheem Ashraf; Shaheen Afridi; Abrar Ahmed; Sufiyan Muqeem.
Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk); Ibrahim Zadran; Sediqullah Atal; Darwish Rasooli; Karim Janat; Azmatullah Omarzai; Rashid Khan (c); Mohammad Nabi; Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar; Noor Ahmad; Fazalhaq Farooqi. (The Indian Express, Outlook India)
3. Pakistan’s Innings: Up-and-Down Grip on Momentum
Pakistan’s batters had a mixed night. Early breakthroughs from Afghanistan’s pace and spin made the top order uneasy.
- Early Wicket: Fazalhaq Farooqi struck immediately, bowling Sahibzada Farhan for a first-ball duck. (Outlook India)
- Solid Start: Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman responded impressively. They built a 49-run partnership, stabilizing the innings. (Outlook India)
- Spin Collapse: After the powerplay, Afghanistan’s spinners—Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad—cut through the middle order. Pakistan slumped from 49/1 to 72/5, losing rhythm amid tight lines and sharp variations. (Outlook India)
- Late Surge: Agha and the lower order added crucial runs, pushing the total to 141/8—a competitive yet manageable score in the difficult conditions. (Outlook India, NDTV Sports)
4. Afghanistan’s Collapse: When Spin Became a Weapon
Chasing a modest target on a pitch that had delivered earlier fireworks, Afghanistan faced a near-total collapse—courtesy of Pakistan’s spinners.
- Powerplay Pressure: Shaheen Afridi opened the floodgates by removing Gurbaz early, setting the tone. Abrar Ahmed added another wicket soon after. (Outlook India)
- Hat-Trick Hero: Mohammad Nawaz, Pakistan’s finger-spinner, recorded a sensational hat-trick, dismissing Ibrahim Zadran and Karim Janat in quick succession. The entire Afghan batting lineup tilted completely. (The Indian Express, Outlook India, NDTV Sports)
- Continued Onslaught: Nawaz ended his spell with 4–5 wickets, dismantling the Afghan chase. Abrar Ahmed (2 wickets) and Shaheen Afridi (1 wicket) completed the rout. Afghanistan were bundled out for 66, handing Pakistan a resounding 75-run win. (NDTV Sports, Outlook India)
5. Standout Performers
Mohammad Nawaz (Pakistan)
A sensational bowling effort—4/18-ish spell (including a hat-trick)—took the game away from Afghanistan. A match-winning performance that announced his quality under pressure. (Outlook India, NDTV Sports)
Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan)
Quick wickets in the middle overs, especially that of Mohammad Nabi, accelerated Afghanistan’s downfall. His leg-spin was clever and astute. (The Indian Express)
Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
By striking early, Shaheen ensured Pakistan never lost control. His ability to swing the ball up front remains his brand. (Outlook India)
Rashid Khan & Afghan Spinners
Despite the final loss, Rashid Khan’s spell in Pakistan’s innings was pivotal—his variations forced top-order collapses. However, in twilight conditions, Pakistan’s spin attack ultimately had the upper hand. (Outlook India, NDTV Sports)
6. Tactical Deeper Dive
Pitch and Timing
The turning pitch at Sharjah, especially in the second innings, made chasing under lights a tactical gamble. Pakistan’s decision to bat first was vindicated as the pitch deteriorated. (Outlook India, ESPN.com)
Use of Spin
Pakistan’s trio—Nawaz, Abrar, and even Faheem (if called)—outclassed Afghanistan’s spin unit through variation and flight. Their rotations of pace and angle flummoxed Afghan batters repeatedly.
Afghanistan’s Missteps
Despite having experience against spin, Afghanistan faltered. A lack of partnerships and playing underneath the ball proved fatal. Skipper Rashid remained defiant, but there was too much top-order damage.
7. Turning Points & Critical Phases
- Shaheen’s Opening Strike – Removing Gurbaz immediately slowed the Afghan chase’s pulse. (Outlook India)
- Nawaz’s Hat-Trick – In a matter of three deliveries, Afghanistan were reduced to rubble. (Outlook India)
- Abrar’s Double Wicket Burst – A quickfire spell including Nabi’s dismissal added insult to injury. (The Indian Express)
8. Statistical Insights
| Category | Player | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Tournament Most Wickets | Mohammad Nawaz | 10 wickets total (Wikipedia) |
| Pakistan Final Score | – | 141/8 |
| Afghanistan in Final | – | 66 all out |
| Margin of Victory | – | 75 runs |
Beyond individual figures, Nawaz finished as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, cementing his dominance throughout. (Wikipedia)
9. Reactions from the Field & Fans
Though no direct quotes are available from live reports, it was clear—on-ground excitement soared:
- Pakistan celebrated a dominant performance in every department.
- Afghan fans braced themselves as the chase unraveled, knowing that the game slipped away with the spin barrage.
- Social media and fan forums lit up in praise of Nawaz’s spell and Pakistan’s tactical execution.
Let me know if you’d like quotes from post-match press conferences, captains, or analysts—happy to pull them in.
10. What This Win Means Going Forward
For Pakistan:
- A major morale boost heading into Asia Cup 2025.
- Confidence in their spin department—Nawaz, Abrar, and others looked lethal.
- Momentum builder for their batting, though middle-order stability remains work-in-progress.
For Afghanistan:
- A sobering end to a promising tour. Their batting collapse exposed flaws under pressure.
- Rashid Khan’s leadership and spin depth remain strengths—just needs better protecting.
- Asia Cup preparations will need to focus on middle-order resilience and handling pressure against quality spinners.
For UAE (Hosts):
- Provided a high-quality platform for competitive cricket.
- Benefitted from hosting a tri-series that featured two major Asian teams ahead of a marquee event.
11. Conclusion: A Final to Remember
In a night marked by spin dominance, early impact, and a hat-trick for history, Pakistan claimed the Tri-Series crown with authority. The match wasn’t just a win—it was a statement: their bowling reserves are vast, and their tactics are sharp.
From 139-run total, late batting revival, thunderous spin onslaught, to a crushing 75-run victory, Pakistan ensured they finish this leg of preparation on a high. Afghanistan, though valiant, must regroup quickly.
Stay tuned if you’d like further expansion on batting partnerships, full ball-by-ball breakdowns, or a feature piece on Nawaz’s rise through this series.
