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Pakistan thrash Afghanistan by 39 runs in tri-nation series opener

pak vs afg

SHARJAH: Pakistan made a commanding start to the tri-nation series, thrashing Afghanistan by 39 runs in the opening T20 clash at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Pakistan will now face the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the second contest of the series tomorrow (Saturday).

Set 183 to win, Afghanistan were bundled out for 143 in 19.5 overs despite a blistering late cameo from skipper Rashid Khan.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave his side a flying start with 38 off 27 balls, striking three fours and a six, while Sediqullah Atal (23) and Darwish Rasooli (21) chipped in with brief knocks. But wickets at regular intervals derailed the chase.

Rashid Khan briefly raised Afghan hopes with an explosive 39 off just 16 balls, laced with one four and five towering sixes, but his dismissal in the 18th over effectively ended the contest.

The rest of the middle and lower order crumbled, with four batters dismissed for single figures.

For Pakistan, Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4-31 in 3.5 overs with his pace and accuracy. Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-21) and Mohammad Nawaz (2-23) provided crucial breakthroughs, while young left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem also impressed with 2-25.

Pakistan innings

Earlier, Pakistan had posted 182 for 7. They got a flying start with Sahibzada Farhan hammering 21 off just 10 balls before falling to Azmatullah Omarzai.

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Fakhar Zaman (20 off 17) and Saim Ayub (14 off 16) chipped in, but the innings was anchored by skipper Salman Agha, who top-scored with a fluent 53 from 36 balls, striking three fours and three sixes.

Middle-order contributions kept Pakistan’s momentum intact.

Mohammad Nawaz played a lively knock of 21 off 11 balls, while Mohammad Haris added 15 from 13.

Faheem Ashraf provided fireworks at the death, smashing 14 off just 5 deliveries at a strike rate of 280.

Pakistan finished on 182 for 7 in their 20 overs at a healthy run rate of 9.10.

For Afghanistan, Fareed Ahmad was the most successful bowler with 2 for 47, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Azmatullah Omarzai claimed a wicket each.

Mujeeb was the most economical, conceding only 22 in his four overs.

Strict security measures

The contest held under strict security measures, as crowds from both sides have a history of skirmishes, most notably during the 2022 Sharjah clash, when crowd trouble marred Pakistan’s one-wicket victory over Afghanistan.

Just like in the 2023 UAE series, separate seating arrangements had been made for supporters of both sides.

Before the match, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan appealed to fans to show restraint and uphold the spirit of cricket.

Addressing at a press conference, Rashid Khan said: “My message to everyone who comes to the stadium is that cricket brings unity. It gets the nations together. It shows the right message, the peace message. It brings people and nations together.

‘Excited about Afg vs Pak clash’

On the eve of the tri-nation series, skipper Salman Ali Agha expressed excitement about the Afg vs Pak clash, saying: “This tri-series will greatly help us in our preparations for the Asia Cup. I am very excited about it and I know it will be a challenging contest for which we are fully ready.”

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“Leading the Pakistan team is not only an honour for me but also a great responsibility. The team is playing good cricket at the moment and I am hopeful we will continue to deliver strong performances in the matches ahead.”

Pakistan 17-member squad

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim.

Tri-nation series schedule

  • Friday, August 29 – Afghanistan v Pakistan – 7pm local time
  • Saturday, August 30 – UAE v Pakistan – 7pm local time
  • Monday, September 1 – UAE v Afghanistan – 7pm local time
  • Tuesday, September 2 – Pakistan v Afghanistan – 7pm local time
  • Thursday, September 4 – Pakistan v UAE – 7pm local time
  • Friday, September 5 – Afghanistan v UAE – 7pm local time
  • Sunday, September 7 – Final – 7pm local time

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