(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Afghanistan Spinners Guide Team to 18-Run Win Over Pakistan in Sharjah Tri-Series
Afghanistan’s spin quartet dominated as they beat Pakistan by 18 runs in their T20 tri-series clash in Sharjah on Tuesday. Both teams observed a minute of silence for flood victims in Pakistan and earthquake victims in Afghanistan before the match.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan had aimed to score over 170 after winning the toss, but Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Faheem Ashraf, restricted them to 169-5. Faheem starred with career-best figures of 4-27, dismissing both half-centurions Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal.
Pakistan’s chase never gained momentum. Openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan fell early to Afghan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, leaving the team struggling at 27. Skipper Salman Ali Agha and Fakhar Zaman briefly lifted the innings with big hits, but wickets kept falling, and none of the Pakistani batters managed to pass 30, except for Haris, who top-scored with four sixes.
Afghanistan’s innings featured strong contributions from Zadran (50) and Atal (64), who helped set a competitive total despite early setbacks. Pakistan’s bowlers tried to maintain pressure, but the Afghan spinners were clinical in breaking partnerships and controlling the scoring.
The result leaves Pakistan on top of the tri-series table, with both sides set to face the UAE ahead of the final on Sunday. The tournament serves as a warm-up ahead of the Asia Cup, which begins on September 9. Pakistan had earlier beaten Afghanistan by 39 runs and the UAE by 31 runs, with players like Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub delivering impactful performances.
Teams:
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Moqim
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Mohammad Nabi, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
