Pakistan vs Afghanistan 1st T20I, Tri-Nation Series 2025: Pakistan Wins by 39 Runs in Sharjah

Pakistan kicked off the Tri-Nation T20I Series 2025 with a commanding 39-run victory over Afghanistan in the first match on August 29, 2025, at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Led by a brilliant 53 off 36 balls* from captain Salman Ali Agha and a fiery 4-wicket haul by Haris Rauf, Pakistan outclassed Afghanistan in a thrilling encounter. This match report dives into the key moments, standout performances, and insights from the game, a perfect warm-up for the Asia Cup 2025. Stay tuned to usmanoncricket.com for more updates!

Match Summary

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a competitive 182/7 in 20 overs. Afghanistan, despite a strong start, collapsed under pressure and were bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs, handing Pakistan a 39-run win. Here’s a quick overview:

Source: ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz

Toss and Strategic Decision

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first, a smart move on Sharjah’s batsman-friendly pitch that often becomes slower for chasing teams. This decision set the tone for their aggressive approach, leveraging their batting depth to post a challenging total.

Pakistan’s Batting Highlights

Pakistan’s innings started shakily at 83/4, but a crucial 50-run partnership between Salman Ali Agha (53* off 36 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes) and Mohammad Nawaz steadied the ship. Lower-order contributions from Faheem Ashraf and Sufyan Moqim pushed the total to 182/7, a defendable score in Sharjah’s conditions.

• Key Moment: Salman’s composed knock, mixing elegant drives with powerful sixes, anchored the innings.
• Stat Insight: Pakistan’s middle overs (11–15) yielded 62 runs, showcasing their recovery.

Afghanistan’s Chase

Afghanistan started strongly with Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashing 38 off 27 balls, raising hopes of a competitive chase. However, a dramatic collapse of 5 wickets for 4 runs in 17 balls, triggered by Haris Rauf’s fiery spell, turned the game. Rashid Khan’s explosive 39 off 16 balls (1 four, 5 sixes) provided a late spark, but Afghanistan fell short, bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs.

• Turning Point: Haris Rauf’s double-wicket over (12th) dismantled Afghanistan’s middle order.
• Engaging Question: Could Rashid Khan’s cameo have changed the result with more support? Comment below!

Bowling Performances

Pakistan’s bowlers dominated, with Haris Rauf stealing the show by taking 4 crucial wickets, including key dismissals of Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz, and Sufyan Moqim each chipped in with 2 wickets, ensuring Afghanistan’s collapse.

For Afghanistan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman was economical (1/22 in 4 overs), while Fareed Ahmad took 2 wickets but leaked 47 runs, proving costly.

Standout Stars of the Match

• Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan): Player of the Match for his match-defining 53* off 36 balls.
• Haris Rauf (Pakistan): 4 wickets, including a game-changing double strike.
• Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): 39 off 16 balls, a valiant effort in a losing cause.
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan): 38 off 27 balls, giving a fiery start to the chase.

Match Context and Insights

This match, part of the Tri-Nation T20I Series 2025 (August 29–September 7, 2025), served as a critical warm-up for the Asia Cup 2025 (September 9–28, 2025). Sharjah’s pitch, known for favoring batsmen early and assisting spinners later, tested both teams’ adaptability. Pakistan’s decision to drop Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for a faster scoring rate paid off, with Salman Ali Agha proving his leadership credentials.

• Stat Insight: Pakistan’s 182/7 is the highest T20I total at Sharjah since 2023 (source: Cricbuzz).
• Fan Tip: Watch Salman’s footwork highlights on YouTube to improve your batting technique!

How to Follow the Series

• Next Match: UAE vs Pakistan, August 30, 2025, 7:00 PM local time.
• Watch Live: A Sports, Ten Sports, FanCode, Sky Sports, Tapmad, and more.
• Updates: Visit usmanoncricket.com for live scores, match previews, and player profiles.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s 39-run victory over Afghanistan in the 1st T20I of the Tri-Nation Series 2025 showcased their batting depth and bowling prowess. Salman Ali Agha’s leadership and Haris Rauf’s fiery spell outshone Afghanistan’s efforts, despite Rashid Khan’s late heroics. As the series heats up, follow usmanoncricket.com for daily updates, expert analysis, and predictions. Who’s your pick for the next match? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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