(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
PCB Confirms Tri-Nation T20 Series With Afghanistan and UAE Ahead of Asia Cup 2025
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the schedule for an exciting tri-nation T20 series, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and United Arab Emirates (UAE). The series is scheduled to be held at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium from August 29 to September 7, 2025.
📅 Tournament Timing and Purpose
The tournament will serve as a crucial preparation phase for all three teams ahead of the 2025 ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup, which kicks off in the UAE on September 9.
All matches will start at 7 PM local time, mimicking the night-game conditions expected during the Asia Cup.
🏏 Pakistan’s Strategic Shift
Pakistan was originally scheduled to host a bilateral series against Afghanistan. However, the PCB opted to switch to a tri-series format, providing a broader competitive platform for testing squad combinations and adapting to UAE conditions.
🌟 Why This Series Matters
With the Asia Cup looming, the tri-series gives each team at least four competitive T20Is before a potential appearance in the final on September 7. This format ensures every team faces both opponents twice in a double round-robin format.
The venue—Sharjah—is known for its spin-friendly surfaces and fast outfields, making it the ideal testing ground for regional teams preparing for high-stakes cricket.
📌 Full Match Schedule
Date | Match |
---|---|
August 29 | Afghanistan vs Pakistan |
August 30 | UAE vs Pakistan |
September 1 | UAE vs Afghanistan |
September 2 | Pakistan vs Afghanistan |
September 4 | Pakistan vs UAE |
September 5 | Afghanistan vs UAE |
September 7 | Final |
🏆 High Stakes and Final Preparations
For Pakistan, this tri-series isn’t just a warm-up. It’s a golden opportunity to:
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Finalize playing combinations
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Test bench strength
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Gain valuable match practice
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Build momentum ahead of the Asia Cup