Global cricket fans watched glued to their televisions this Friday, August 29, 2025, when Pak vs Afg faced off in the UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025’s opening match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. This was not simply a bilateral series but the harbinger of a crucial preparation phase for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 and thereafter the ICC T20 World Cup. Both teams walked into the ground with new line-ups and new strategies and aimed at putting out a forceful message.
Pakistan, under Salman Ali Agha, performed authoritatively both batting and bowling and defeated Afghanistan by 39 runs. Although Afghanistan fought hard at times, their batting lineup once again failed against Pakistan’s world-class fast assault.
Match Details at a Glance
- Date: Friday, August 29, 2025
- Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE
- Series: T20I Tri-Series 2025 (Pakistan, Afghanistan, UAE)
- Start Time: 7:30 PM Local | 8:30 PM PKT
- Toss: Pakistan won and elected to bat
- Result: Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 39 runs
Early Overs – A Balanced Start
The batting of Pakistan was also cautious at the beginning. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Fareed Ahmad, Afghanistan’s new-ball operators, bowled tightly and took early wickets and kept Pakistan a bit under pressure. At one point, Pakistan was at 50 for 3 in powerplay, and Afghanistan seemed to gain momentum.
Salman Ali Agha’s Captain’s Knock
This was where Salman Ali Agha rose to the occasion and performed. Filling in as captain for this series, he steered the ship out of a troubled sea through a carefully constructed innings. His 53 from 36 balls* was not of runs only – it was about class under pressure, timing, and placement. He took control of the middle overs and also dispatched loose balls in style.
Middle & Lower Order Contributions
Useful cameos came from the middle order. Khushdil Shah and Shan Masood added crucial runs in the middle and changed the strike regularly. In the death overs, momentum was gathered by Pakistan, and a quick cameo was hit by Iftikhar Ahmed, taking Pakistan into the 180s.
Final Score: Pakistan 182/7 in 20 overs.
Second Innings – Afghanistan’s Chase
The Pressure of a Big Target
Chasing 183 runs was always going to be tough against Pakistan’s bowling unit. Afghanistan started with intent, but the Sharjah pitch offered bounce and swing, especially under lights.
Haris Rauf’s Fiery Spell
Pakistan’s strike bowler Haris Rauf was the star of the innings. Bowling with raw pace and aggression, he ripped through Afghanistan’s middle order, finishing with 4 wickets. His hostile deliveries, mixing yorkers with short balls, broke the backbone of the chase.
Shaheen & Nawaz Provide Support
Shaheen Shah Afridi set the tone with the new ball, removing Afghanistan’s opener early. Later, Mohammad Nawaz’s spin added pressure, claiming two crucial wickets in the middle overs.
Afghanistan’s Resistance & Collapse
Despite brief resistance from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Najibullah Zadran, Afghanistan struggled to build partnerships. Once wickets started tumbling, the collapse was inevitable. They were bowled out for 143 runs in 19.5 overs, falling short by 39 runs.
Key Performers of the Match
- Salman Ali Agha (PAK) – 53 (36 balls), Captain’s innings under pressure
- Haris Rauf (PAK) – 4 wickets, game-changing spell of pace
- Shaheen Afridi (PAK) – 2 wickets, set tone with new ball
- Mohammad Nawaz (PAK) – 2 wickets in middle overs
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG) – Top scorer for Afghanistan, but lacked support
Expert Analysis
Cricket pundits praised Pakistan’s balance. The absence of Babar Azam and Rizwan (rested/dropped for this series) gave new players a chance to shine. Salman Ali Agha’s captaincy debut was seen as a success.
For Afghanistan, the repeated middle-order collapses remain a major concern. Experts stressed the need for Afghan batters to play smarter against high-quality pace, especially with the Asia Cup around the corner.
FAQs
When was the Pakistan vs Afghanistan T20I match played?
The match was played on Friday, August 29, 2025, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE.
Who won the Pakistan vs Afghanistan T20I 2025?
Pakistan won the match by 39 runs.
Who was the top performer for Pakistan?
Captain Salman Ali Agha scored an unbeaten 53 runs, while Haris Rauf took 4 wickets with the ball.
What was Pakistan’s total score in the first innings?
Pakistan scored 182/7 in 20 overs.
How many runs did Afghanistan make in the chase?
Afghanistan was bowled out for 143 runs in 19.5 overs.