Sharjah : Pakistan won the first match of UAE tri- nation series 2025 played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium by defeating Afghanistan by 39 runs.
Pakistan scored 182 runs while batting first . Pakistan ‘s skipper, Salman Agha , played a captain inning and scored 53 runs . He remained unbeaten in his inning of 53 runs. Pakistan lost 7 wickets against Afghanistan . On its turn, Afghanistan side made a good start, but Shaheen Shah Afridi managed to bowl out Ibrahim Yazdan early . His dismissal was followed by downing of the second wicket of Afghanistan after a couple of overs when Mohammad Nawaz sent second Afghan opener home. Middle order of Afghan batting line could not contest Pakistani bowling side and its 7 batters got out when Afghanistan ‘s total score on the board was 97.
At this stage , Rashid Khan came out to bring back his team into the game. He played big hits and with consective 4 sixes to Harris Rauf changed the complexion of the match . However , hsi whirlwind turned shortlived and Harris Rauf managed to bowl him out in the last ball of his 2nd over of his quota of 4 overs. With dismissal of Rashid Khan , his fellow players could not make any resistance to Pakistani fast bowling spell. In the last over of 20 overs ‘ inning , Afghanistan last its last wicket when its total score was 143 runs.
