Pakistan vs Afghanistan: Resilient Batting Display Sets Strong Target in Sharjah

Sharjah, August 29, 2025 – The opening clash of the UAE T20I Tri-Nation Series between Pakistan and Afghanistan lived up to expectations, serving up a gripping contest at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Pakistan, after electing to bat first, endured an early stutter but rode on captain Salman Ali Agha’s composed half-century to post a competitive 182/7 in 20 overs.

The match showcased the rivalry of Pakistan vs Afghanistan, enhancing the competitive spirit of the series.

Toss and Early Intent

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha won the toss and chose to bat, a bold decision considering Sharjah’s reputation for assisting spinners under lights. The openers—Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub—looked aggressive right from the outset. Farhan, in particular, was quick off the blocks, smashing a 10-ball 21 with three boundaries and a six, injecting momentum into Pakistan’s start.

However, Afghanistan’s bowlers struck back decisively. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman used variations to perfection, dismissing both openers inside the powerplay. The dismissal of Fakhar Zaman (20 off 17) further dented Pakistan, leaving them at a shaky 83 for 4 by the halfway mark.

Captain Leads from the Front

At that stage, Pakistan desperately needed stability, and captain Salman Ali Agha rose to the occasion. The right-hander mixed caution with calculated aggression, rotating strike efficiently while punishing anything loose. His ability to find gaps against spin was particularly impressive, as he kept the scoreboard ticking without taking undue risks.

Salman’s unbeaten 53 off 36 balls—laced with three fours and three sixes—anchored Pakistan’s innings. More importantly, he ensured that the middle overs, often a stumbling block for Pakistan in T20 cricket, were navigated smoothly.

Crucial Partnerships

Agha found a reliable ally in Mohammad Nawaz, whose 24-run knock provided the perfect foil. The duo stitched together a fifty-run partnership for the fifth wicket, rebuilding the innings and frustrating Afghanistan’s bowlers. Nawaz’s ability to clear the infield and rotate strike prevented pressure from mounting.

Later, Mohammad Haris chipped in with a brisk 15, while Faheem Ashraf added the late fireworks. His quick 14 off just 5 balls—including a towering six over long-on—pushed Pakistan’s total past the 180-run mark.

Afghanistan’s Bowling Response

For Afghanistan, the bowling was a mixed bag. Fazalhaq Farooqi impressed with his pace and discipline, claiming key wickets early on. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was economical as always, though unable to make decisive breakthroughs in the middle overs. Rashid Khan, surprisingly, went wicketless, as Pakistan’s batters played him with caution.

The lack of death-over execution hurt Afghanistan. Dropped chances and inconsistent yorkers allowed Pakistan to score freely in the final overs, adding nearly 60 runs in the last five overs.

First Innings Scorecard Snapshot

• Pakistan: 182/7 (20 overs)
• Top Scorer: Salman Ali Agha – 53* (36 balls, 3×4, 3×6)
• Other Contributions: Sahibzada Farhan (21 off 10), Fakhar Zaman (20), Nawaz (24), Faheem Ashraf (14 off 5)
• Best Afghan Bowler: Fazalhaq Farooqi – 2/29

What Lies Ahead

Pakistan’s final score of 182 is a challenging total, especially under Sharjah’s tricky batting conditions. Afghanistan will need a strong start from openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran if they are to chase this down. With Rashid Khan and Mujeeb yet to shine, much of the game will hinge on Afghanistan’s batting resilience against Pakistan’s potent pace attack led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf.

The stage is perfectly set for a thrilling second innings in Sharjah.

Here’s the complete match scorecard for the first innings of the Pakistan vs Afghanistan T20I Tri-Nation Series opener at Sharjah (August 29, 2025), presented in a detailed, article-style format:

Pakistan Innings – First Innings, Full Scorecard

Pakistan — 182/7 in 20 overs

Fall of wickets:
1–26 (Sahibzada Farhan, 2.3 ov)
2–55 (Saim Ayub, 6.5 ov)
3–63 (Fakhar Zaman, 7.3 ov)
4–83 (Hasan Nawaz, 11.1 ov)
5–136 (Mohammad Nawaz, 15.4 ov)
6–167 (Mohammad Haris, 19.2 ov)
7–182 (Faheem Ashraf, 19.6 ov) Cricket World

Bowling analysis for Afghanistan:

Match Summary:

• Overs Breakdown: Pakistan built their total through quick starts from Farhan and Ayub, but steady contributions from Agha and Nawaz were key to recovering after early setbacks.
• Extras: A sizeable 15 extras helped push the total—always a critical resource in T20s.
• Bowling Battle: Afghanistan’s bowlers were economical early, with Mujeeb and Nabi chipping in with wickets, but Pakistan’s middle-order regrouped effectively.