SHARJAH/PESHAWAR: The wait is over. Sharjah is set to host a high-octane opener as Pakistan lock horns with Afghanistan today under the lights in the curtain-raiser of the Tri-Nation T20I Series at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The Pak Vs Afghanistan game is scheduled to begin at 8 PM Pakistan Time.
The clash between two of Asia’s most competitive white-ball outfits comes at a crucial juncture, with both teams looking to fine-tune their squads ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup, which kicks off just days later in the UAE.
While Pakistan lead the head-to-head in T20Is with four wins from seven encounters, recent history has tilted in Afghanistan’s favour. The Rashid Khan-led side has won three of the last four meetings, including two memorable victories at this very venue. That form, combined with a world-class spin arsenal, has made Afghanistan early favourites to top the group stage.
Led by Salman Ali Agha, a steady hand with 18 matches of captaincy experience, Pakistan arrive with a blend of youth and experience. While big names like Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, and Haris Rauf remain the spine of the side, the tri-series is being viewed as a proving ground for fresh faces like Hasan Nawaz, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqeem. And all of them are eyeing breakthroughs ahead of the Asia Cup.
AFGHANISTAN’S SPIN THREAT LOOMS LARGE
On the other side, Afghanistan will unleash their potent spin trio – Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad – in a venue where slow bowling has historically dictated outcomes. Skipper Rashid will spearhead a squad boasting match-winners like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi, and the ever-improving Azmatullah Omarzai.
Afghanistan have made one notable change from their Asia Cup squad, replacing pacer Naveen-ul-Haq with Abdollah Ahmadzai for the tri-series, perhaps with an eye on giving young talent exposure before the main event.
THE STAKES: MORE THAN JUST A WARM-UP
Though technically a preparation series, neither side will take today’s match lightly. For Pakistan, it’s a chance to reassert dominance and build momentum after a mixed run of T20 form. For Afghanistan, a win over a regional heavyweight like Pakistan would not only send a message to their Asia Cup rivals but also affirm their status as a rising T20 force.
The atmosphere at Sharjah is expected to be electric, with both nations boasting passionate fanbases in the UAE. The match starts at 7:00 PM local time (8:00 PM PKT), and will be broadcast live on PTV Sports in Pakistan, with digital streaming available via Tamasha.
BABAR AZAM HOLDS HEAD HIGH AT HOME
Babar Azam, along with Mohammad Rizwan, did not make it to the Tri-Series squad this time. However, die hard fans of the fiery batter need not to be disappointed, because Babar will be landing in a cricket field tomorrow, right here at home.
Representing Peshawar Zalmi, he will play in a charity match to support flood-affected people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The exhibition game, themed “Khel Se Khidmat” (service through sports), will be held at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar on August 30. Former captain Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan and Kamran Akmal are also expected to feature in the match, which will be played before a crowd of 17,000 at the under-construction venue.
