Pakistan Crushes Afghanistan by 39 Runs in Tri-Series Opener
Pakistan kicked off the T20I tri-series in Sharjah with a commanding 39-run win over Afghanistan. Led by captain Salman Agha’s unbeaten 53 and Haris Rauf’s fiery four-wicket haul, Pakistan outplayed their opponents in all departments. The match showcased Pakistan’s depth in batting and precision in bowling, while Afghanistan’s chase crumbled under pressure despite a late flourish from Rashid Khan.
Salman Leads from the Front
Captain Salman Agha anchored Pakistan’s innings with a composed 53* off 36 balls. His knock came at a crucial time when Pakistan had lost momentum after a brisk start. Salman’s calculated aggression, especially against Rashid Khan, turned the tide in Pakistan’s favour. He struck two sixes off Afghanistan’s ace spinner in a single over, injecting life into the innings.
Pakistan’s batting strategy was clear—attack throughout. With a deep lineup, they kept pushing even after losing wickets. Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, and Faheem Ashraf added 50 runs in just 29 balls, ensuring Pakistan finished strong with 182 for 7.
Farhan’s Early Fireworks
Sahibzada Farhan gave Pakistan a flying start. He smashed 21 off just 10 balls, including a six and a four off Fazalhaq Farooqi and another maximum off Azmatullah Omarzai. Though his innings were short-lived, it provided the early momentum Pakistan needed.
Afghanistan’s spinners then tightened the screws, restricting Pakistan to just 51 runs in the next eight overs. However, Farhan’s early blitz ensured Pakistan didn’t fall too far behind before the final acceleration.
Rauf’s Game-Changing Spell
Afghanistan’s chase looked promising at 93 for 2 in the 11th over. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran had laid a solid foundation, and Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli were building a threatening partnership.
Then came Haris Rauf
In the 12th over, Rauf delivered a double-wicket maiden that shattered Afghanistan’s hopes. Atal was caught by Shaheen Afridi, and Karim Janat fell three balls later. Rauf’s pace and accuracy were too much to handle.
The collapse continued. Sufiyan Muqeem dismissed Rasooli and Nabi in quick succession. Mohammad Nawaz stumped Omarzai, and Afghanistan lost five wickets for just four runs in 16 balls.
Rashid’s Late Blitz
Rashid Khan tried to salvage the innings with a stunning 39 off 16 balls. He smashed boundaries with ease, but the damage had already been done. Afghanistan had scored only six runs in four overs during their collapse, and Rashid’s effort was too late to change the outcome.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Top Scorers | Best Bowlers |
| Pakistan | 182/7 | Salman 53*, Farhan 21 | Rauf 4-31, Nawaz 2-23 |
| Afghanistan | 143 all out | Rashid 39, Gurbaz 38 | Afridi 2-21, Muqeem 2-25 |
Final Takeaway
Pakistan’s aggressive batting and lethal bowling proved too strong for Afghanistan. Salman’s leadership and Rauf’s pace were standout features in a well-rounded team performance. Afghanistan showed glimpses of promise, but their middle-order collapse cost them dearly.
With this win, Pakistan sets the tone for the tri-series, showcasing depth, strategy, and firepower. Afghanistan will need to regroup quickly if they hope to bounce back in the next fixture.
