HIGHLIGHTS Pakistan vs Afghanistan, T20I Tri-Series in UAE 2025, Final T20- Result, Scorecard

Pakistan get into a huddle. Salman Agha seems to be the most animated and he is trying to pump his team up. The umpires walk back out to the middle and Pakistan players disperse. Meanwhile, the openers for Afghanistan - Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal are ready to walk out to the middle. As always, Shaheen Afridi will take the new ball. He will look for swing and wickets. Gurbaz to face. Here we go!

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, 142 is the target for Afghanistan to win the final. However, we have to keep in mind that no side has won chasing in this tri-series yet. The key players for them will be Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal, who have been in terrific form, but if Pakistan can manage to pick them up early, we will have a game on our hands. Also, if Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets them off to a flier, that would be handy as well. Whatever the result, we are in for an exciting run chase. Stay tuned for the second essay.

Afghanistan's Noor Ahmad is up for a chat with the broadcasters. He says he wanted to just keep it simple, to hit the right lengths and lines. About the wicket, he mentions it looks good and helpful for the spinners if you hit the right lines and lengths. Believes that they will chase this target down, but stresses about batting well in the Powerplay. Expresses his happiness with the way he performed with the ball and says this has been a good preparation for them as a team for the upcoming Asia Cup.

Afghanistan came out fired up for this final, and it showed in their bowling and fielding. Rashid Khan, in his milestone 100th T20I, led from the front with a brilliant three-wicket haul. Their four spinners completely smothered Pakistan, sharing six wickets between them, while Fazalhaq Farooqi backed them up perfectly with two of his own. It was a spirited, all-round effort that set the tone for this big game.

Pakistan just never found their rhythm with the bat. The only real flow came during that 49-run stand between Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, but once that was broken, it was all stop-start cricket. Every time they looked to build momentum, a wicket would fall and pull them back. Salman Agha tried to inject some life into the innings but became a victim of Rashid Khan’s brilliance. In the end, a couple of spirited cameos from Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf dragged them to something they can at least fight with.

141 might seem like a below-par score, but the tension of a final does funny things to players. Runs on the board in a game like this are always gold. Still, you have to give Afghanistan huge credit; their bowlers were relentless, and they would’ve gladly grabbed this total with both hands at the start of the night.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Shaheen Afridi, Length, wide on off, again, a slower ball. Afridi charges down the track and swings his bat with all his might, across the line of the ball. He is beaten on the inside edge and the ball dribbles back to the keeper. They rush for a bye, and Gurbaz has a shy at the striker's end, but misses. The bowler collects the ball but Afridi is not aware that the ball is in Farooqi's hands. Looks for the second bye but Fazalhaq does not want to throw the ball, it seems. Indicates to Afridi that he will hit the stumps down but does not throw. The crowd likes that. It will be a bye to end the innings and PAKISTAN FINISH ON 141/8!

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Shaheen Afridi, Too full and in front of the sticks, Shaheen drills it hard and dead-straight down the ground, between long on and long off. The man from long off cuts it off to his left, but he fumbles to pick the ball up and circles around in search for it. Eventually finds and releases the throw to the bowler. The batters, meanwhile, cross each other twice.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Shaheen Afridi, WIDE! Banged short and down leg. Shaheen shapes up to pull but misses. Wide for height.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Shaheen Afridi, Excellent execution of pace variation! Also, that should have been a single but Shaheen stands stationary. There was no one inside the ring on the leg side. Short of a good length, slower ball, jagging back in very sharply. Shaheen initially looks to tuck it away but as a last-minute thought, decides to let it go. However, he is late and the ball hits him on the gloves. The ball drops beside the pitch, on the leg side. Now, there is no one near the stumps and that could have been an easy run but neither the striker nor the non-striker seem interested in the run. Unless of course, Shaheen wants to face all the remaining deliveries.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Sufiyan Muqeem, Slower delivery, on a good length, angled at the pads. Sufiyan tries to nudge that into the leg side, but misses due to the lack of pace. The ball grazes the front thigh pad and rolls in thereabouts of backward square leg. They cross for a leg bye.

Sufiyan Muqeem comes out to the middle now.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Mohammad Nawaz, OUT! TAKEN! Fazalhaq Farooqi strikes back here! He goes pace off, into the pitch and angling into the batter. Mohammad Nawaz clears his front leg to slog it across the line but has to generate the pace on his own. He fails to do so and hits it aerially towards deep mid-wicket. Ibrahim Zadran judges it well and takes a fine reverse cup above his head. Nawaz departs for a handy 25 off 21, and Pakistan are 136/8 now!

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Mohammad Nawaz, SIX! Perfect start to the over for Pakistan! Fazalhaq Farooqi misses his yorker and serves this right in the slot, on middle. Nawaz stays deep inside his crease and launches it high and handsomely over the long off fence for a biggie.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to bowl the last over.

Allah Mohammad to Shaheen Afridi, Pushed full and just outside off. Shaheen gets down on his knee to slog it over mid off, but toe ends it to the right of Allah Mohammad. The bowler swiftly moves to the ball, picks up and releases a flat, aggressive throw, almost taking out Shaheen on the way. The ball is collected by Gurbaz and he breaks the stumps. However, the replay shows that Shaheen has dragged his bat in comfortably.

Shaheen Afridi walks out to bat now,

Allah Mohammad to Faheem Ashraf, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Faheem Ashraf's little cameo comes to an end now! Allah Mohammad bowls this slower through the air, full and on off, turns away a shy bit. Ashraf looks to push it away but only manages to get a thin outside edge behind, where Rahmanullah Gurbaz makes no mistake. He goes back for 15 off 8, and Pakistan are 130/7!

Allah Mohammad to Faheem Ashraf, SIX! That is a top shot! Tossed up, full and just outside off, Faheem Ashraf skips down the track. He extends his arm to reach out for it but still generates good power on it to smash it over the deep extra cover fence for a biggie.

Allah Mohammad to Mohammad Nawaz, Fuller and on middle, Nawaz goes for a big-booming slog sweep, but inside edges it to deep square leg for a single.

Allah Mohammad to Faheem Ashraf, Another appeal for LBW, much louder one, but not given. Floated around the fourth stump, on a fullish length. Faheem misses the reverse sweep as the ball beats the inside edge. The ball deflects off his front pad and rolls toward wide short third for a leg bye.

Allah Mohammad to Faheem Ashraf, An appeal for LBW, but clearly going down leg. Carrom ball, sharply turning into the batter, on a length. Faheem is hurried on the shot as he goes back to cut. Is cramped up for room and misses to connect and the ball hits the thigh pad.

Mohammad Nabi to Mohammad Nawaz, Pushed through, full and around off, this is driven with soft hands to cover.

Mohammad Nabi to Mohammad Nawaz, Slides in with the arm, full and on middle. Nawaz leans forward to defend, gets a bit of an inside edge onto the front pad.

Mohammad Nabi to Faheem Ashraf, Half a chance! Fires one full and around leg, Faheem Ashraf chips it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. Nawaz turns around for the second blindly, but his partner sends him back. The throw comes in at the keeper's end where Nawaz has to put in a big dive to save himself. However, the throw is wide and high from the deep, which allows the batter to get back in time. Running between the wickets has been very poor from Pakistan in this final.

Mohammad Nabi to Faheem Ashraf, FOUR! Cheeky and effective! Floated, full and around off, Faheem Ashraf quickly gets into position and plays the reverse sweep nicely over backward point for a boundary.

Mohammad Nabi to Faheem Ashraf, Turns away, full and on off. Faheem closes the bat face early to flick, gets a leading edge, but along the ground, into the off side.

Mohammad Nabi to Mohammad Nawaz, Round-arm delivery, drifting on the leg stump, on a length. Nawaz tucks it to backward square leg for a single.

Rashid Khan to Faheem Ashraf, FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! More air on this one, full and on middle, Faheem Ashraf gets right under it and thumps it over the bowler's head and to the long on fence for a boundary. Rashid finishes with figures of 4-0-38-3 in his 100th T20I!

Faheem Ashraf walks out to bat now.

Rashid Khan to Salman Agha, OUT! TAKEN! Rashid Khan has the last laugh here! He pushes this one through quicker and flatter, shorter, on middle. Salman Agha moves back to pull it away, but gets a bit hurried this time. The ball takes the top edge and flies towards short third, where Allah Mohammad moves to his left and pouches it safely. Agha walks back for 24 off 27, and Pakistan are 112/6!

Rashid Khan to Salman Agha, SIX MORE! Skipper targeting skipper here! Flighted delivery, full and on middle, Salman Agha comes forward a bit and absolutely whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Rashid Khan to Salman Agha, Tossed up, full and on off, Salman Agha taps it out to short covers.

Rashid Khan to Salman Agha, SIX! BOOM! Pakistan needs more of that! Floated, full and on middle,  Salman Agha goes down on one knee, gets inside the line of it and slogs it powerfully over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Rashid Khan to Mohammad Nawaz, Short and around leg, Mohammad Nawaz nudges it through square leg for one. 100 up for Pakistan, but their slowest in this series.

Noor Ahmad to Mohammad Nawaz, Flatter, full and on off, Mohammad Nawaz guides it wide of point for a quick one.

Noor Ahmad to Mohammad Nawaz, Another run out chance goes begging! Tossed up, full and on middle, grips and turns away after threatening to angle in. Mohammad Nawaz gets squared up and misses. Rahmanullah Gurbaz also moves to his right early and only parries it away to short covers. Agha wants the run but is sent back and slips too. He gives up, but Mohammad Nabi misses his shy at the stumps at the non-striker's end. As many as three run out chances have been missed by the Afghans.

Noor Ahmad to Salman Agha, Short again and on off, Salman Agha steers it away to point for a run.

Noor Ahmad to Salman Agha, Pushed through quicker, shortish and around off, angling away, Salman Agha goes chasing after it but fails to connect.

Noor Ahmad to Salman Agha, Flighted, full and around off, Salman Agha looks to drive it away but gets a bottom edge onto the pitch as the ball goes over the stumps, to the keeper's left. Rahmanullah Gurbaz shows good reflexes to grab it and throws it at the stumps but misses. No harm done though!

Noor Ahmad to Salman Agha, WIDE! Flatter, short but down the leg side, Salman Agha is not able to glance it away. Wided.

Noor Ahmad to Mohammad Nawaz, Floated, full and on leg, Mohammad Nawaz tucks it through square leg for a single.

Pakistan batters are taking a bit of a break to get some fluids in, and also discuss how to go about in the last 5 overs to get to a good total. Also, Noor Ahmad to bowl out now.

Allah Mohammad to Mohammad Nawaz, Shortish and on leg, Mohammad Nawaz nudges it to mid-wicket for one more.

Allah Mohammad to Mohammad Nawaz, SIX! That goes all the way! Something had to give, and Mohammad Nawaz took his chance. Allah Mohammad tosses it up, full and on middle, Nawaz goes down on one knee and connects with his slog sweep well. It flies flat and towards the deep square leg fence. The third umpire is called in to check whether it is a four or a six, but the replay shows that it just bounced over the ropes.

Allah Mohammad to Salman Agha, Flighted, full and on off, Salman Agha taps it towards coves for a run.

Allah Mohammad to Salman Agha, Slows it up, full and on midlde and leg, sticks to the surface a bit, Salman Agha tucks it a bit uppishly but it lands well to the bowler's right.

Allah Mohammad to Salman Agha, A googly now, short and on middle and leg, turns in, Salman Agha has no room to work with and ends up stabbing it on the pitch.

Allah Mohammad to Mohammad Nawaz, Floated, full and around off, Mohammad Nawaz pushes it through covers for a single.

Change from both ends, but no relief from spin for Pakistan. Allah Mohammad to bowl now.

Mohammad Nabi to Mohammad Nawaz, A slider now, full and on middle, goes in with the arm, Mohammad Nawaz fails to work it away as the ball goes off his pads towards short third. A leg bye is taken.

Mohammad Nabi to Mohammad Nawaz, WIDE! Quicker, shortish but down leg, Mohammad Nawaz misses his flick. Called a wide.

Mohammad Nabi to Mohammad Nawaz, Flighted, full and on off, Mohammad Nawaz drives it wide of long off for a brace. 23 balls since the last boudnary now.

Mohammad Nabi to Mohammad Nawaz, Tossed up, full and on middle, turns away with extra bounce, Mohammad Nawaz watches it through and keeps it out.

Mohammad Nabi to Salman Agha, Short again and around middle, Salman Agha drags it to deep square leg for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Mohammad Nawaz, Drags his length back, on middle, Mohammad Nawaz rocks back and swivel-pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Mohammad Nawaz, Arm ball, full and on midlde, Mohammad Nawaz knock it back to the bowler.

Mohammad Nabi (2-0-17-0) replaces Noor Ahmad.

Rashid Khan to Mohammad Nawaz, Fires one full and around off, Mohammad Nawaz steers it away wide of point for one.

Rashid Khan to Salman Agha, Gives this one some more air, full and on middle, Salman Agha heaves it aerially but on the bounce to deep square leg for another run.

Rashid Khan to Mohammad Nawaz, Flighted, full and on middle, Mohammad Nawaz works it thorugh mid-wicket for a run.

Rashid Khan to Salman Agha, Floated, full and on middle, Salman Agha swipes it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Rashid Khan to Salman Agha, A massive appeal for LBW, but the umpire says no! This one looks very close though! Flighted, full and on middle, traditional leggie as it turns away. Salman Agha tries to defend it from the crease but plays down the wrong line and gets hit on the back pad. Maybe the impact saved him there.

Rashid Khan to Salman Agha, Tossed up, full and on off, Salman Agha strides out and blocks it out.

Noor Ahmad to Salman Agha, Floated, short and on midlde, turns in sharply a long way, Salman Agha gets cramped up and just about nudges it to square leg for one.

Noor Ahmad to Salman Agha, WIDE! Quicker, full but down the leg again, Salman Agha fails to lay a bat on that. Wided again.

Noor Ahmad to Salman Agha, DROPPED? Looks like it, seeing the reaction of Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Pushed through quicker, short and on off, skids through. Salman Agha tries to cut it away but gets a thin outside edge behind. Gurbaz fails to react quickly and spills it out. Not easy for a keeper!

Noor Ahmad to Mohammad Nawaz, Flatter, full and on off, Mohammad Nawaz steers it to point for a run.

Noor Ahmad to Mohammad Nawaz, WIDE! Fires one full but down the leg side, Mohammad Nawaz misses his flick. Wided.

Mohammad Nawaz is the next man in.

Noor Ahmad to Mohammad Haris, OUT! CASTLED! Noor Ahmad has two now! Mohammad Haris' lean patch continues and Pakistan lose half their side now. Tossed up, full and on middle, tempting the batter. Mohammad Haris goes down and goes for the big slog sweep but swings all over a straight ball as it goes through to rattle the stumps. Pakistan are reeling at 72/5 now!

Noor Ahmad to Salman Agha, Flighted, full and on off, Salman Agha pushes it through covers for one.

Noor Ahmad to Mohammad Haris, Flatter, full and on off, Mohammad Haris looks to swipe it across the line but gets an inside edge behind. The ball rolls past first slip and the batters set off for the run. The fielder from short third picks up but misses his shy at the batter's end with Agha putting in a dive. The ball rolls towards at the other end where Haris was in danger but gets home safe in the end.

What happened there? Rahmanullah Gurbaz appeals for a caught behind, but there was also a chance of a run out at both ends. However, in the end, Pakistan survive a scare.

Rashid Khan to Mohammad Haris, Outside off, driven through the covers for a run. An eventful over, resulting in 9 runs and a wicket. 2-0-17-2 for Rashid Khan.

Mohammad Haris walks in next, at number 6, replacing Hasan Nawaz.

Rashid Khan to Hasan Nawaz, OUT! CAUGHT! Rashid has the last laugh! Wow, he could have actually had Nawaz on three occasions in 3 balls in this over and has eventually struck gold on the third ball. One more googly, around off, Hasan Nawaz goes for the big slog this time but is undone by the googly yet again. Gets a massive leading edge which goes high up in the air but barely has any distance. Darwish Rasooli is cool as a cucumber at cover and takes the catch. Hasan Nawaz departs for 15 (8) and from 49/1, Pakistan are now 69/4!

Rashid Khan to Salman Agha, Down the leg side, swept fine for a run.

Rashid Khan to Salman Agha, Full, around middle, pushed back to the bowler.

Rashid Khan to Hasan Nawaz, LEADING EDGE, SAFE! Think Pakistan are going to go on the offensive here. Salman Agha to bat through and the others to throw their willows around. A googly, outside off, Nawaz goes for the inside-out lofted shot but gets a massive top edge. Luckily for him, it lands wide of the man running back from cover! A single taken.

Rashid Khan to Hasan Nawaz, SIX! JUST OVER! Nearly a wicket after the break! Fractionally short, around off, Hasan Nawaz rocks back for the pull and mistimes it. The ball seems to be going towards the fielder at the ropes but just about eludes his leap. Rashid is not happy, indicating that the fielder was inside the ropes but the replay shows that even if he had been at the ropes, the ball would have tipped over.

DRINKS BREAK. At this moment, Afghanistan are on top. However, in the previous encounter, Pakistan were 74/4 after 10 overs. Tonight, they are 61/3. The ball is clearly spinning a lot more than in any of the previous league games. Pakistan are being given a trial by spin and are in search of a partnership. They still have some batting left and Afghanistan will want to correct their mistake in the previous match, where they just could not control the leakage of runs in the last 5 overs. From Pakistan's point of view, they would want skipper Agha to bat till the end.

Noor Ahmad to Salman Agha, Huge appeal for LBW, but turned down. This one spins into the right-hander, fractionally short of full and Salman is late in picking it up again. Goes back for the flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Seemed to be heading down the leg side and the height could have been a factor too.

Noor Ahmad to Salman Agha, Another wrong 'un, spinning a mile past the off stump, Agha lets it through.

Noor Ahmad to Salman Agha, Very slow through the air, a googly, short in length, outside off, one suspects that Salman Agha did not pick it. Because he had a tame push inside the line, only to miss.

Noor Ahmad to Hasan Nawaz, Tossed up, around off, Nawaz uses his feet and drives it through mid off for one.

Noor Ahmad to Salman Agha, Another wrong 'un, outside off, Salman Agha reaches out, meets the ball, opens the face of his bat and pushes it in front of point for a run.

Noor Ahmad to Hasan Nawaz, A googly, around middle, Hasan Nawaz works it through the leg side for a single.

Rashid Khan to Hasan Nawaz, Another googly, outside off, pushed through point for one more. A wicket from the over, but 8 runs off it as well. 12/2 in the last 2 overs.

Rashid Khan to Hasan Nawaz, FOUR! That's really well played. Short, outside off, Hasan Nawaz waits and waits, expecting the ball to spin in, backs away late and cuts it to the left of backward point for his first boundary!

Rashid Khan to Salman Agha, Around off, nudged through mid-wicket for a run.

Rashid Khan to Hasan Nawaz, A googly to welcome the newcomer, short in length, around middle and leg, Hasan Nawaz works it through square leg for a single to get off the mark.

Hasan Nawaz walks in next, at number 5, replacing Fakhar Zaman.

Rashid Khan to Fakhar Zaman, OUT! LBW! Noor took 5 balls for his first strike. Rashid takes 2! A proper leg spinner, tossed up around leg stump, Fakhar Zaman is unable to pick whether it is the googly or the conventional ball and is late in his flick. Misses his shot and the ball hits him right in front of the sticks. Rashid puts in a huge appeal for LBW and the only problem was where was the ball pitching. The umpire raises his finger and the replays seem to suggest that the ball pitched around leg and could have clipped the leg stump. Fakhar departs for 27 (26) and from 49/1, Pakistan are now 51/3!

Rashid Khan to Salman Agha, A googly, around off, tucked through mid-wicket for a single.

Right. Playing his 100th T20I. Here comes Rashid Khan.

Noor Ahmad to Salman Agha, Full, down the leg side, Salman Agha tucks it through mid-wicket for a single to get off the mark. A wicket and 4 runs from Noor's opener.

Skipper Salman Agha walks in next, at number 4, replacing Saim Ayub.

Noor Ahmad to Saim Ayub, OUT! CAUGHT! It is just not easy to read Noor and Ayub has been dismissed on the very first ball he faces! Landed outside off, Ayub is not sure whether the ball will come in or spin away and just hangs his bat outside off. The ball lands, spins away, takes the face of the bat and lobs tamely to the player in his 100th T20I. Rashid Khan takes a dolly at cover. The 49-run stand is broken and Ayub departs for 17 (19). Pakistan are 49/2 after 7.5 overs!

Noor Ahmad to Fakhar Zaman, Floated, outside off, FZ is not to the pitch of the ball, but still swings hard. The ball lobs off the toe end of the bat towards the bowler but Noor thinks it is coming straight at him and backs away, covering his head. The ball lobs tamely over his head and the batters take the single.

Noor Ahmad to Fakhar Zaman, Dramatic appeal for caught behind but Noor does not want to take any part in the movie. The wrist spinner, landing outside off, Zaman goes for the big booming drive through the off side but misses. The ball pitches, spins away past the bat, hits the keeper, Rahmanullah Gurbaz' pads and lobs wide of first slip, where Gulbadin Naib dives to take it to his left and is really vociferous in his caught behind appeal. Nothing doing, says the umpire. Well, we have still not forgotten Gulbadin's dramatics against Bangladesh in the previous T20 World Cup!

Noor Ahmad to Fakhar Zaman, This one skids through. Landed outside off, Fakhar stays back, expecting the googly, but the ball holds its line, skids through and beats the outside edge.

Noor Ahmad to Fakhar Zaman, Landed outside off, short of full, Fakhar Zaman waits for the ball to come and dabs it late, uppishly, but wide of short third, to his right. Two runs taken.

Now comes the real test against spin. Here's Noor Ahmad.

Mohammad Nabi to Fakhar Zaman, Outside off, pushed towards point for a quick run.

Mohammad Nabi to Saim Ayub, Around off, swept to deep mid-wicket, for one.

Mohammad Nabi to Fakhar Zaman, Massive shout for LBW! Not given. Rahmanullah Gurbaz just cannot believe it. Don't think there is UDRS in this series. Full, around off, coming in with the angle, Fakhar Zaman got down to sweep but missed and got hit. The replay shows the ball hitting the arm. Excellent decision by the umpire. Gurbaz, in his excitement to appeal, forgot to stop the ball and it rolled through to short fine leg. Leg bye taken.

Mohammad Nabi to Saim Ayub, Beautifully bowled again. Around off, much fuller, but this time, Ayub waits for the ball to arrive and dabs it late behind point, for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Saim Ayub, Turn and bounce! Delivered with the arm, from around the wicket, outside off, short of full, Saim Ayub looks to drive but the ball pitches and then spins away, bouncing over the outside edge!

Mohammad Nabi to Fakhar Zaman, Down the leg side, Fakhar Zaman works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Whose Powerplay was it? Too early to say. In their last encounter as well, Pakistan were struggling roughly till the 15th over. Still, they managed to get to a good total. It is all about finishing off the job.

Allah Mohammad to Fakhar Zaman, On middle and leg, worked through mid-wicket for a run. Pakistan end the Powerplay on 41/1!

Allah Mohammad to Fakhar Zaman, A quicker ball, outside off, Zaman looks to cut but is beaten. There is an appeal for caught behind but the umpire shakes his head.

Allah Mohammad to Saim Ayub, WIDE. Down the leg side, Ayub looks to sweep but misses. The keeper is blinded to his right and misses the ball as well, with short fine leg rushing across to cut it off. A bye taken.

Allah Mohammad to Saim Ayub, Short, outside off, Saim Ayub cuts it straight to backward point.

Allah Mohammad to Fakhar Zaman, A touch short now, around middle, Fakhar rocks back to pull but the ball comes slowly off the surface. He mistimes it uppishly but luckily for him, it lands short of deep backward square leg. A single taken.

Allah Mohammad to Fakhar Zaman, FOUR! Ugly but effective. Fakhar Zaman comes down the track well in advance and Mohammad fires it a touch wide outside off. But Fakhar goes through with his attempted slog and drags it along the ground, through mid-wicket, for a boundary.

Allah Mohammad to Saim Ayub, On middle, pushed down to mid on for a single.

Who will bowl the final over of the Powerplay? It will be Allah Mohammad. Okay, here's something to note. He is wiping the ball with a towel. Has the dew arrived already?

Mohammad Nabi to Fakhar Zaman, SIX! BELLIGERENT! Flighted, around middle, Fakhar decides to put his dancing shoes on. Gets to the pitch of the ball and swings it cleanly over mid-wicket. That one lands on the roof! 13 from the over, the first double-digit over of the innings.

Mohammad Nabi to Fakhar Zaman, Around off, punched back to the bowler.

Mohammad Nabi to Saim Ayub, This time, a quicker ball. Again, short of full, Saim works it through mid-wicket for one.

Mohammad Nabi to Fakhar Zaman, Slower through the air, around off, short of full, Fakhar Zaman goes back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Mohammad Nabi to Saim Ayub, Full and at the stumps, Ayub backs away and punches it towards mid off for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Saim Ayub, FOUR! Fractionally short, outside off, Saim Ayub rocks back and drags it over mid-wicket, wide of the sweeper in the deep on the leg side! One bounce and into the ropes. The third umpire is called for a boundary check and the replays are conclusive enough to deem that the ball bounced just before crossing over the ropes.

Will Farooqi get a third on the trot? Nope. It will be spin from both ends. Here's Mohammad Nabi.

Allah Mohammad to Fakhar Zaman, A bit quicker, shortish and on middle, angles in, Fakhar Zaman gets cramped up and only manages to keep it out on the pitch. Just 3 runs from the first over of spin.

Allah Mohammad to Saim Ayub, How did that miss the stumps? Slower through the air, full and on off, grips and turns in sharply with a bit of bounce. Saim Ayub gets completely bamboozled by it, backing away and just hangs his bat away. The ball goes past the inside edge and just over the leg stump. Rahmanullah Gurbaz also fails to stop it, allowing a bye run.

Allah Mohammad to Saim Ayub, Tossed up, full and on off, Saim Ayub knocks it towards mid off.

Allah Mohammad to Saim Ayub, Uppish, but safe! Full, around middle and off, Saim looks for the big heave-ho but gets it off the inner half of the bat, due to the ball drifting in. Luckily for him, it goes over the man at short mid-wicket and he returns for a couple of runs.

Allah Mohammad to Saim Ayub, Around middle and leg, Ayub works it towards short mid-wicket.

Allah Mohammad to Saim Ayub, Ooohhh... that was nearly dragged on! From around the wicket, fractionally short, Saim Ayub rocks back to the leg side aiming for the cut but the ball drifts in through the air and darts back in sharply after pitching, cramping Ayub for room. He gets a bottom edge which is taken by the keeper, Rahmanullah Gurbaz on the bounce.

8 runs in the first 2 overs combined. 8 in the third over alone. 8 dot balls in the first 2 overs combined. Just 1 in the third. Pakistan looking to get a move on here. First look at spin. Here's Allah Mohammad.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Fakhar Zaman, A bit fuller and just around off, Fakhar Zaman squeezes it out, but the fielder at cover-point dives to his right to make the stop.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Saim Ayub, Takes pace off again, back of a length and on off, Saim Ayub dabs it towards point for one more.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Fakhar Zaman, Afghans are putting the energy on the field! This is a loopy, slower one, full toss, on middle, Fakhar Zaman knocks it towards mid on for a quick one. Rashid Khan comes charging in, picks up, and hits the stumps at the bowler's end all in one motion, but Fakhar was well in. The crowd loved that!

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Saim Ayub, Goes for the inswinging yorker, but ends up dishing out another half volley, way down the leg side. Saim manages to get bat on it and tickles it behind square leg for a run.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Saim Ayub, FOUR! FABULOUS! Saim Ayub gets off the mark in elegant fashion. Half volley, outside off, Ayub leans and drives it on the up through the covers for a boundary!

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Fakhar Zaman, Full, around off, once again Fakhar Zaman backs away, but this time, not for a dead ball. He waits for the ball to arrive and drives it between mid off and cover for a single.

Not ready. Never do that to a fast bowler, mate! Fazalhaq Farooqi comes charging in, but at the last moment, Fakhar Zaman backs off. He cites the reason of someone walking over the sightscreen, around the first floor. It is jam-packed tonight with the crowd mostly supporting the Afghans.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Fakhar Zaman, Azmatullah Omarzai sees the batter advance and serves this in the blockhole, Fakhar Zaman just gets his bat down and fends it off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket for one.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Fakhar Zaman, Absolute chaos in the middle! Pitched up and on off, Fakhar Zaman drives it firmly wide of short covers. Sediqullah Atal puts in a brilliant dive to his right to make the stop. However, Fakhar was off for the single by then and was sent back late. Atal gets half up and fires in a throw at the keeper's end but it is well wide of the stumps. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the keeper, comes forward, but he too only manages to parry it away in the deep with a dive. Fakhar tries to steal an overthrow, but Ayub says no.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Fakhar Zaman, FOUR! Gets it away! Azmatullah Omarzai lands this short of a length and well outside off, begging to be put away. Fakhar Zaman accepts the gift gladly, extends his arms and smashes it over extra covers for the first boundary of the final.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Fakhar Zaman, Full and straight, Fakhar Zaman defends it down the track.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Saim Ayub, Down the leg side, Ayub misses his flick and the ball goes off his pads behind square leg. A leg bye taken.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Saim Ayub, On a length, around off, Saim Ayub punches it straight to cover.

5.2 overs, 8 runs, 4 wickets. What's that? South Africa's score against England in the 3rd ODI in Southampton! First, they conceded 414 with the ball, with Joe Root and Jacob Bethell to club centuries and staging a mammoth 182-run stand and in reply, the Proteas have lost Markram, Rickelton, Mulder and Breetzke! Jofra Archer has been the wrecker-in-chief, claiming 3 of the 4 wickets to fall. What's up with South Africa and dead rubbers in ODIs? Recently, against Australia, they conceded 431 in the third ODI after sealing the series in the first two and now here, they concede another 400-plus total after the series is sealed. Back to Sharjah, it will be Azmatullah Omarzai to share the new ball.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Fakhar Zaman, An eventful first over comes to an end! Touch fuller and on midlde, Fakhar Zaman gets behind the line of it and blocks it out. So, just 2 runs and a wicket from it!

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Fakhar Zaman, A huge shout for LBW, but turned down! Good length and on middle, shapes away a shy bit, Fakhar Zaman gets stuck in his crease and tries to play but misses and gets hit high on the pads. There is a big shout for LBW, but turned down. Probably was going down leg.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan are underway, but not in convincing fashion! Fuller delivery around off, Fakhar Zaman strides out and drives it through covers for a couple of runs. The fielder chasing after it fumbles a bit, and Fakhar sets off for the third. However, he is sent back a bit late and the throw comes in at the keeper's end. A desperate dive from Fakhar saves him there as Gurbaz failed to collect the throw cleanly.

Fakhar Zaman walks in next, at number 3, replacing Sahibzada Farhan.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Sahibzada Farhan, OUT! BOWLED! Over the wicket, around the wicket, over the wicket - does the trick! Not quite sure whether Fazalhaq Farooqi was able to adjust to either angle but he has struck on the very third delivery of the match. On a length, around middle, this one does not swing while Farhan goes for the big swing over the leg side. He misses the straight ball and it cannons into the middle and off sticks! A 3-baller for Farhan in the final and Pakistan are 0/1 after 0.3 overs!

Change of angle again. Farooqi switched to around the wicket for the second ball, but now, he goes back to over the wicket.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Sahibzada Farhan, Down the leg side, Sahibzada initially looks to flick but then tries to take his bat away, trying to get a wide. But he is late and the ball goes off his pads towards short fine leg.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Sahibzada Farhan, A good inswinger to start. Full, around off, nice shape back into the right-hander, Sahibzada Farhan watches it closely and pushes it towards mid on.

The two squads disperse and the playing XI of Afghanistan gets into a huddle. Skipper Rashid Khan, PLAYING HIS 100TH T20I, is giving some words of wisdom to his group. The umpires make their way out to the middle and now, the Afghans disperse. From the Pakistan dressing room, their two openers step down - Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub. It will be Fazalhaq Farooqi to start things off, with Farhan on strike. A slip in place. Here we go!

Time now for the national anthems. It will be Pakistan's first, followed by that of Afghanistan. Right, the anthems have been sung and it is time now for the action to begin. The number 6 has a bit of a significance tonight. 6 games prior to the final, have all been won batting first in this tournament. Will game 7 have any change? Also, Afghanistan have made 6 CHANGES to their playing XI from their last game against the UAE. Understandably, having already qualified for the final before that match, the Afghans took it as an opportunity to test the bench, but sometimes, so many changes can dent your momentum. The Men In Blue will hope that is not the case.

PITCH REPORT - It is the same pitch which has been used before and has a tuft of grass, says Ramiz Raja on air. Believes that 170 could be a par total in the first innings.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal (In place of Sharafuddin Ashraf), Darwish Rasooli (In place of Mohammad Ishaq), Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (C) (In place of Abdullah Ahmadzai), Mohammad Nabi (In place of Gulbadin Naib), Allah Mohammad (In place of Fareed Ahmad), Noor Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi (In place of Mujeeb Ur Rahman).

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (C), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (WK), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem (In place of Salman Mirza) and Abrar Ahmed.

TOSS - The coin lands in favour of Salman Agha and Pakistan have elected to BAT first.

The surface in Sharjah has shown its two-paced nature, offering some bounce for the fast bowlers early on before it settles down and slows as the game progresses. This brings the spinners into play, making batting in the second innings trickier and forcing teams to work hard for runs. A total above 170 can be considered highly competitive here, as chasing under these conditions is never straightforward.

Afghanistan have proven they’re no longer just dark horses but a genuine force capable of beating top sides, having won three of their last five T20Is against Pakistan, including two right here in Sharjah where they know the conditions inside out. Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal have been key at the top, providing stability and aggression, while their middle-order hitters add plenty of firepower. Rashid Khan, who became the highest wicket-taker in T20Is during this series, remains their biggest match-winner, and their lethal spin attack, blending youth and experience, have already caused Pakistan problems. With their trademark energy and fearlessness, Afghanistan will be eager to break their finals jinx and take a defining step forward in their cricketing journey. If they need an additional piece of motivation, tonight will mark RASHID'S 100TH T20I - the third player from Afghanistan to achieve this feat after Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran!

Pakistan may have stumbled against Afghanistan earlier in the tournament, but they have looked the most complete side overall, and their experience of playing and winning big finals gives them a slight edge. Fakhar Zaman’s timely return to form in the previous game is a huge boost, while Saim Ayub’s explosive starts and a reliable middle order have kept their batting in good shape. Their bowling has been just as impressive, with Faheem Ashraf stepping up brilliantly to complement the strike bowlers who have been rotated nicely and Mohammad Nawaz leading the spin department with control and guile. With a trophy on the line and the Asia Cup around the corner, Pakistan will be hungry to seize this chance and make a strong statement.

Hello and a warm welcome to the grand finale of the UAE Tri-Nation Series! After a few thrilling matches over the past week, it all comes down to this blockbuster clash as fierce Asian rivals Pakistan and Afghanistan battle for bragging rights and momentum ahead of the Asia Cup. The home fans may be disappointed with UAE missing out, but this decider promises plenty of drama, with both teams having claimed a win each earlier in the series, setting the stage for a cracking contest.

... MATCH DAY ...

The T20I Tri-Series in UAE, 2025 has been a high-stakes, closely fought affair, and it all culminates in a thrilling final between two familiar foes - Pakistan and Afghanistan. The two teams have already faced off twice in the series, with each securing a victory, setting the stage for a dramatic decider at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Pakistan comes into the final with a strong record in the tournament, having won three of their four round-robin matches. Their journey to the final has been marked by some standout individual performances. Opener Fakhar Zaman, who had been in a lean patch, rediscovered his form with a magnificent unbeaten 77 against the UAE, while Mohammad Nawaz's crucial lower-order hitting has provided impetus to their innings. With the ball, the young leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has been a revelation, and the pace duo of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi provides a potent threat. However, the batting lineup has shown some signs of fragility, with the top order struggling to convert starts in some games. Captain Salman Agha will be looking for a more consistent performance from his batters in the high-pressure final. Afghanistan, on the other hand, have been equally impressive, also securing three wins from their four matches. Their strength lies in a balanced lineup and some explosive batting at the top. The opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran has been in sensational form, providing solid platforms for their team to build on. Ibrahim Zadran has been a standout performer with consecutive half-centuries, and he will be a key wicket for Pakistan. Their spin attack, led by the world-class Rashid Khan and supported by Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad, has been instrumental in choking opposition batsmen, as was evident in their previous win against Pakistan. The spin trio's ability to control the middle overs will be a significant factor in the final. With both teams coming into the final having secured wins in their last round-robin matches against the UAE, momentum is on their side. The final promises to be an intense battle between Pakistan's powerful batting and pace attack and Afghanistan's in-form top order and world-class spin. The stakes are high, and cricket fans can expect a captivating and closely contested finale to the Tri-Series.