The Afghanistan vs Pakistan T20 clash in Sharjah turned into a memorable night for Afghanistan as they defended 170 runs with remarkable discipline. Pakistan’s chase ended at 151/9 in their 20 overs, giving Afghanistan a well-deserved win in the tri-series.
Pakistan’s innings began poorly. Opener Saim Ayub went for zero, while Sahibzada Farhan scored only 18 before walking back. By the fourth over, Pakistan were already struggling at 29/2.
Fakhar Zaman and skipper Salman Ali Agha tried to steady the innings. Their 33-run stand for the third wicket raised hopes briefly. But both fell in quick succession, leaving Pakistan reeling at 67/4 in 8.3 overs. Fakhar struck 25 off 18 balls with three fours and a six. Agha contributed 20 from 15, hitting one four and a six.
The double blow sparked a collapse that shattered Pakistan’s middle order. Within the next nine overs, they slumped to 111/9. The tail provided late resistance. Haris Rauf and Sufiyan Muqeem stitched together an unbeaten 40-run stand for the last wicket. Rauf’s counterattack produced 34 not out from only 16 balls, including four huge sixes. Muqeem added seven, but the fightback fell short.
Afghanistan’s bowlers dominated the contest. Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi all grabbed two wickets each, ensuring Pakistan never recovered.
Earlier in the Afghanistan vs Pakistan T20, Afghanistan opted to bat and posted 169/5. The innings revolved around a magnificent second-wicket partnership of 113 runs between Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal.
Their start had been rocky. Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for just eight in the second over to Saim Ayub. Atal and Zadran then rebuilt brilliantly. Atal scored 64 off 45 balls with three fours and three sixes before Faheem Ashraf dismissed him at long-on.
Faheem kept striking. He removed Azmatullah Omarzai cheaply and then claimed Zadran, who had played a superb knock of 65 from 45 deliveries, laced with eight fours and a six. By the 18th over, Afghanistan were 146/4.
Faheem Ashraf finished with career-best bowling figures of 4/27, also dismissing Mohammad Nabi in the final over. Rashid Khan and Karim Janat ended unbeaten on eight each as Afghanistan closed at 169. Saim Ayub bowled economically too, conceding just 18 runs in his four overs with one wicket.
The Afghanistan vs Pakistan T20 proved a showcase of Afghanistan’s growth in cricket. Their batting partnerships, sharp bowling, and spirited fielding combined to deliver a famous victory in Sharjah.
