Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by 75 runs to claim the Tri-Series title after a one-sided final in Sharjah. Chasing a modest target of 142, Afghanistan collapsed to 66 all out, with Mohammad Nawaz producing a match-winning performance that included a hat-trick and figures of 5 for 19. Nawaz’s contributions with both ball and bat earned him the Player of the Match award.
Batting first, Pakistan managed 141 for 8, struggling against Afghanistan’s spin attack. No Pakistan batter reached 30, with Fakhar Zaman top-scoring on 27. All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz added 25, while captain Salman Ali Agha made 24, including two sixes in a single over off Rashid Khan. Openers Saim Ayub and Faheem Ashraf scored 17 and 15 respectively.
Afghanistan’s spin spearhead Rashid Khan was the pick of their bowlers in Pakistan’s innings, finishing with 3 for 38. Spinner Noor Ahmad and pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi took two wickets apiece as Afghanistan limited Pakistan but were unable to defend the total.
In the chase, Afghanistan’s batting completely unraveled. Nine batters failed to reach double figures; only captain Rashid Khan (17) and Sediqullah Atal (13) offered any notable resistance, while Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah, and Karim Janat were dismissed for ducks. Mohammad Nawaz’s devastating bowling spell, which included a hat-trick, skittled Afghanistan for 66 and sealed a convincing victory for Pakistan.
