The air in Sharjah crackled with more than just the UAE heat. It was electric with the anticipation of one of international cricket’s most intense and emerging rivalries: Pakistan vs Afghanistan. When these two teams meet, it’s never just a game; it’s a battle of pride, passion, and sheer cricketing skill. The 2025 T20 series promised fireworks, and the opening encounter delivered in spades. In a match that swung like a pendulum, Pakistan held their nerve to secure a hard-fought 28-run victory over a resilient Afghanistan, setting the tone for what promises to be a gripping series.
This victory, built on a mature captain’s knock and a fiery bowling finish, provides crucial momentum for the Men in Green. For Afghanistan, despite the loss, there were significant positives, notably another show of incredible lower-order fight. Let’s dive deep into the complete analysis, stats, and highlights of this unforgettable match.
Toss and Team Dynamics: Pakistan Opt to Bat
Winning the toss on a historically batsman-friendly Sharjah wicket, Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha made the decisive call to bat first. This strategy aimed to set a daunting target and put scoreboard pressure on Afghanistan’s powerful but sometimes susceptible batting lineup.
Both teams fielded strong XIs. Pakistan’s lineup blended experienced stalwarts like Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz with exciting young talent like Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub. Afghanistan, led by the inspirational Rashid Khan, boasted a formidable spin attack and a deep batting order featuring the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Mohammad Nabi.
Innings 1: Pakistan’s Batting – A Tale of Two Halves
Powerplay (Overs 0-6): Explosive Start, Early Stutter
Pakistan’s innings exploded out of the gates. Sahibzada Farhan was the catalyst, playing a breathtaking cameo. His 21 runs came off just 10 balls, laced with 1 four and 2 massive sixes, racing to a staggering strike rate of 210.00. He was the aggressor in a 26-run opening partnership that was over by the 2.3rd over. His dismissal, caught off Azmatullah Omarzai’s bowling, briefly slowed the momentum.
Saim Ayub (14 off 16) fell to Rashid Khan, and just as Fakhar Zaman (20 off 17) looked set, he was dismissed by the experienced Mohammad Nabi. At 63/3 in the 7.3rd over, Pakistan was in a precarious position.
Middle Overs (Overs 7-15): The Captain’s Stabilizing Hand
This is where the game was won for Pakistan. With wickets tumbling, Captain Salman Ali Agha walked in and played an innings of immense responsibility and class. He anchored the innings, rotating the strike and punishing the bad balls. He found a capable partner in Hassan Nawaz (9 off 13), with whom he built a stabilizing partnership.
Just as the partnership was building, Hassan Nawaz departed, bringing Mohammad Nawaz to the crease. Nawaz played a crucial, quick-fire innings of 21 off just 11 balls (SR 190.91), injecting much-needed momentum and taking the pressure off his captain. His dismissal at 130/5 left the innings at a critical juncture.
Death Overs (Overs 16-20): The Agha & Ashraf Flourish
The final phase belonged to Pakistan’s captain and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf. Agha, now set, shifted gears magnificently. He accelerated his innings to finish on a magnificent 53 not out from 36 balls, including 3 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 147.22. This earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
Faheem Ashraf provided the perfect finale, smashing an unbeaten 14 off just 5 balls at an incredible strike rate of 280.00, including a four and a six. Their partnership propelled Pakistan to a competitive and challenging total of 182/7 in their 20 overs.
Key Bowling for Afghanistan: Fareed Ahmad was the most successful bowler (2/47) but proved expensive. The ever-reliable Rashid Khan (1/26) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (1/22) were typically economical, keeping Pakistan in check during the middle stages.
Pakistan Batting Card (Detailed Stats)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | S/R | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | 21 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 210.00 | c Mujeeb b Omarzai |
| Saim Ayub | 14 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 87.50 | c Fareed Ahmad b Rashid Khan |
| Fakhar Zaman | 20 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 117.65 | c Ibrahim Zadran b Mohammad Nabi |
| Salman Ali Agha (C) | 53* | 36 | 3 | 3 | 147.22 | not out |
| Hassan Nawaz | 9 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 69.23 | c Shafiqullah b Fareed Ahmad |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 21 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 190.91 | c Abdul Rasooli b Mujeeb |
| Mohammad Haris (WK) | 15 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 115.38 | c Shafiqullah b Fareed Ahmad |
| Faheem Ashraf | 14 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 280.00 | not out |
| Extras | 15 | (nb 1, w 4, b 4, lb 6) | ||||
| Total | 182/7 | (20 Ov) |
Innings 2: Afghanistan’s Chase – Hope, Collapse, and a Late Surge
Powerplay (Overs 0-6): A Solid Foundation
In response, Afghanistan started positively. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looked in menacing form, taking on the Pakistani pace attack. Alongside Ibrahim Zadran (9 off 11), he put on a steady 17-run opening stand before Zadran fell to Shaheen Afridi. Gurbaz continued his assault, reaching a quickfire 38 off 27 balls (3×4, 1×6, SR 140.74) before being bowled by Mohammad Nawaz. At 68/2 at the end of the 8th over, Afghanistan was very much in the game.
Middle Overs (Overs 7-15): The Haris Rauf Collapse
This period turned the match on its head. The dismissal of the well-set Sedigullah Atal (23 off 19) by Haris Rauf triggered an unbelievable collapse. What followed was a catastrophic passage of play for Afghanistan, a nightmare for batters and a dream for bowlers.
From 93/3 to 95/7, Afghanistan lost four wickets for just two runs in the space of 14 balls. Rauf was the chief destroyer, ripping through the middle order with sheer pace. Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Mohammad Nabi all fell cheaply, unable to handle the pressure and quality of Pakistan’s death bowling. The chase had derailed spectacularly.
Death Overs (Overs 16-20): Rashid Khan’s Valiant One-Man War
At 95/7, the game seemed over. But with Afghanistan, it never is. Captain Rashid Khan played one of the most audacious and entertaining counter-attacking innings you will ever see. He launched a brutal assault on the Pakistani bowlers, smashing 39 runs off just 16 balls, including 1 four and 5 huge sixes, at an unbelievable strike rate of 243.75.
For a brief, thrilling moment, he single-handedly brought Afghanistan back from the dead, giving Pakistani fans heart palpitations. However, his brave knock was ended by Haris Rauf, who fittingly took his fourth wicket. The tail offered little resistance afterward, and Afghanistan was bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs.
Key Bowling for Pakistan: Haris Rauf was the undisputed star with the ball, finishing with sensational figures of 4/31 in 3.5 overs. His spell in the middle overs broke the back of the chase. Shaheen Afridi (2/21) and Mohammad Nawaz (2/23) provided excellent support, being both economical and wicket-taking.
Afghanistan Batting Card (Detailed Stats)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | S/R | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK) | 38 | 27 | 3 | 1 | 140.74 | b Mohammad Nawaz |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 9 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 81.82 | b Shaheen Afridi |
| Sedigullah Atal | 23 | 19 | 0 | 2 | 121.05 | c Shaheen Afridi b Haris Rauf |
| Darwish Abdul Rasooli | 21 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 161.54 | c & b Safiyan Muqeem |
| Karim Janat | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | c Hassan Nawaz b Haris Rauf |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | st Mohammad Haris b M. Nawaz |
| Mohammad Nabi | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 | c Faheem Ashraf b S. Muqeem |
| Rashid Khan (C) | 39 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 243.75 | c Hassan Nawaz b Haris Rauf |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 44.44 | b Shaheen Afridi |
| Fareed Ahmad | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16.67 | c Saim Ayub b Haris Rauf |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 | run out |
| Extras | 4 | (w 3, lb 1) | ||||
| Total | 143/10 | (19.5 Ov) |
Key Highlights and Match Turning Points
- Farhan’s Blitzkrieg: The explosive start provided by Sahibzada Farhan gave Pakistan early momentum and allowed the middle order to play without immediate scoreboard pressure.
- Agha’s Captain’s Knock: In a crisis at 63/3, Salman Ali Agha’s composed and unbeaten half-century was the bedrock of Pakistan’s total. His ability to accelerate at the death was crucial.
- The Middle-Order Collapse (93/3 to 95/7): This four-wicket cluster, orchestrated primarily by Haris Rauf, was the definitive turning point. It took the game completely away from Afghanistan.
- Rashid Khan’s Spectacular Fightback: His 16-ball 39 was a reminder of his incredible talent and never-say-die attitude. It was a lone hand of brilliance that almost stole the game from Pakistan’s grasp.
- Haris Rauf’s Four-Fer: Bowling with raw pace and precision at the death, Rauf’s spell (4/31) was a masterclass in closing out a game under pressure.
Conclusion: A Victory of Nerve and Skill
Pakistan will be relieved and pleased to have started the series with a win. The team showed character, recovering from a top-order collapse to post a winning total and then holding their nerve when Rashid Khan threatened to pull off a miracle. The performances of Salman Ali Agha with the bat and Haris Rauf with the ball are massive positives.
For Afghanistan, the loss will hurt, but they will take heart from their fighting spirit. The top order showed intent, and Rashid Khan’s batting is becoming a genuine weapon. They will look to cut out the dramatic middle-order collapses before the next match.
This match had everything: power-hitting, a batting collapse, a heroic lone fight, and a nail-biting finish. It was a perfect advertisement for T20 cricket and this fierce rivalry. If this game is any indication, the rest of the T20 series in the UAE is must-watch cricket.
