Pakistan Beat Afghanistan by 39 Runs in Sharjah T20I Tri-Series | Salman Agha Stars | Match Report & Stats
Pakistan 182 for 7 (Salman 53*, Fareed 2-47) beat Afghanistan 143 (Rashid 39, Gurbaz 38, Rauf 4-31, Afridi 2-21, Nawaz 2-23, Muqeem 2-25) by 39 runs.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Salman Agha
Pakistan Bat First, Farhan Gives Explosive Start
After winning the toss, Pakistan chose to bat first on a Sharjah pitch that seemed ideal for scoring quick runs. Sahibzada Farhan set the tone from the very beginning. He attacked Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai with fearless shots, including a couple of towering sixes over midwicket. Farhan’s innings, though short-lived, gave Pakistan the early momentum, scoring 21 off just 10 balls before Omarzai caught him at short fine leg.
Even after his dismissal, Pakistan’s innings remained steady. Afghanistan’s spinners tried to slow the scoring, but the early acceleration by Farhan gave Pakistan a solid foundation. The middle and lower order were ready to capitalize on this momentum.
Salman Agha Shines Against Rashid Khan
The highlight of Pakistan’s innings was undoubtedly captain Salman Agha’s unbeaten 53 off 36 balls. Facing Rashid Khan, one of the best T20 bowlers in the world, Salman took the attack to the Afghan star. His aggressive strokeplay helped Pakistan score 17 runs in one over off Rashid.
Mohammad Nawaz supported Salman brilliantly, hitting a couple of sixes himself. The lower middle order, including Mohammad Haris and Faheem Ashraf, added a quick 50 runs in just 29 balls, taking Pakistan to a strong total of 182 for 7. Fareed Ahmad bowled well for Afghanistan, finishing with figures of 2-47, but Pakistan’s aggressive batting ensured a competitive total.
Afghanistan’s Chase Starts Well But Fades
Afghanistan began their chase positively. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (38) and Sediqullah Atal played cautiously, while Rashid Khan looked to accelerate. At one point, Afghanistan were 93 for 2 after 11 overs, keeping the required run rate within reach.
But the momentum shifted in the 12th over when Pakistan’s Haris Rauf returned to the attack. In a stunning over, Rauf bowled a double-wicket maiden, dismissing key batsmen without conceding a run. This triggered a collapse, and Afghanistan lost five wickets for just four runs in 16 balls.
Mohammad Nawaz (2-23), Sufiyan Muqeem (2-25), and Shaheen Afridi (2-21) also contributed with crucial wickets. Afghanistan scored only six runs between the 12th and 16th overs, leaving Rashid Khan’s 39 runs as mere consolation. Afghanistan’s innings ended at 143 all out, giving Pakistan a 39-run win.
Key Performers
| Team | Score | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 182/7 | Salman Agha 53*, Farhan 21, Mohammad Nawaz 21; Haris Rauf 4-31, Fareed Ahmad 2-47 |
| Afghanistan | 143 all out | Rashid Khan 39, Gurbaz 38; Rauf 4-31, Afridi 2-21, Nawaz 2-23, Muqeem 2-25 |
What Worked for Pakistan
- Farhan’s quick start gave early momentum.
- Salman Agha’s aggressive captaincy and unbeaten innings set the tone.
- Lower-order contributions from Nawaz, Haris, and Ashraf boosted the total.
- Bowling breakthroughs by Rauf, Afridi, Nawaz, and Muqeem triggered Afghanistan’s collapse.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s 39-run win in Sharjah highlights the importance of timing, teamwork, and aggressive play in T20 cricket. Salman Agha’s captaincy and unbeaten innings, along with Haris Rauf’s fiery spell, were the keys to victory. Afghanistan will need to strengthen their middle and lower order to stay competitive in the tri-series, while Pakistan carries momentum and confidence forward.
Post a Comment