Pakistan Defeat Afghanistan by 39 Runs in Tri-Nation Series Opener

Sharjah: Pakistan began their Tri-Nation Series campaign on a high note with a commanding 39-run win over Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday. The victory was powered by a brilliant half-century from Salman Ali Agha and a fiery four-wicket haul from Haris Rauf, setting the tone for the Green Shirts ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup.

Pakistan’s Batting: Agha Anchors the Innings

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 182/7. Captain Salman Ali Agha led from the front with a resilient unbeaten 53 off 36 balls, smashing three boundaries and three sixes, including two back-to-back sixes off Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan. A late cameo from Faheem Ashraf, who hit a boundary and a six, helped Pakistan cross the 180-run mark despite being run out in the final over.

Earlier, Pakistan’s top order wobbled after Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman were dismissed by Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi respectively. Sahibzada Farhan looked explosive with a 10-ball 21, hitting two sixes and a four before falling to Azmatullah Omarzai. Hasan Nawaz contributed only 9 runs.

For Afghanistan, Fareed Ahmad took two wickets but proved expensive (2-47), while Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Mohammad Nabi claimed one wicket each.

Afghanistan’s Chase: Haris Rauf Shines

Chasing 183, Afghanistan’s innings faltered under pressure as Haris Rauf delivered a match-winning spell of 4/31, including two key wickets in a single over. He removed Sediqullah Atal (23 off 19) and Karim Janat (0), breaking Afghanistan’s momentum during the middle overs.

Afghanistan found some late resistance in Rashid Khan, who played a sensational 16-ball 39-run knock, featuring five sixes at a strike rate of 244. However, Haris Rauf dismissed him just in time to extinguish any hopes of a comeback.

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Shaheen Shah Afridi (2/21), Mohammad Nawaz (2/23), and Sufiyan Muqeem (2/25) also contributed with crucial wickets. Nawaz got rid of the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz, while Muqeem dismissed Mohammad Nabi and Darwish Rasooli.

Match Summary

• Pakistan: 182/7 in 20 overs
  Salman Ali Agha 53* (36), Sahibzada Farhan 21 (10), Faheem Ashraf 15 (9)
  Fareed Ahmad 2/47, Mujeeb 1/22, Rashid Khan 1/26

• Afghanistan: 143 all out in 18.3 overs
  Rashid Khan 39 (16), Sediqullah Atal 23 (19), Rasooli 21 (13)
  Haris Rauf 4/31, Shaheen Afridi 2/21, Nawaz 2/23, Muqeem 2/25

What’s Next

Pakistan will now look to carry this momentum into their next tri-series fixtures, as well as the Asia Cup starting September 9. Afghanistan, despite some strong individual performances, will aim to bounce back in their upcoming matches.

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