The stage is set for an exciting battle as Afghanistan and Pakistan lock horns in the first T20I of the UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025 on Friday, August 29, at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The tri-nation series, featuring Afghanistan, Pakistan, and hosts UAE, will follow a double round-robin format, with the top two teams clashing in the final on September 7. This encounter promises high-octane action as both teams aim to start the tournament on a winning note.
Tournament Context
For Afghanistan, this series serves as perfect preparation for the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to begin on September 9. The Afghan side, led by the charismatic Rashid Khan, will look to fine-tune its combinations and provide opportunities to youngsters like Abdollah Ahmadzai (pacer) and AM Ghazanfar (spinner), who are likely to make their debuts. The return of in-form opener Ibrahim Zadran further strengthens their batting unit.
On the other hand, Pakistan enters the series with a revamped T20I squad under the leadership of Agha Salman. In a surprising move, Pakistan has dropped their senior stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, signaling a new direction for the Men in Green. Despite missing these experienced campaigners, Pakistan will take confidence from their recent T20I series win over West Indies.
Match Details
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Match: Afghanistan vs Pakistan, 1st T20I, UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025
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Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
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Date & Time: Friday, August 29, 8:30 PM IST
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Live Streaming: Fancode (App & Website)
Pitch Report
The Sharjah surface traditionally favors batters with its shorter boundaries and true bounce. However, the pitch has shown double-paced behavior at times, which could assist spinners during the middle overs. Expect a high-scoring game if the dew factor comes into play under lights.
Head-to-Head Record
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Total Matches: 7
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Afghanistan Wins: 3
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Pakistan Wins: 4
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First Meeting: December 8, 2013
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Last Meeting: October 6, 2023
Pakistan holds a slight edge historically, but Afghanistan’s recent improvements make them a formidable opponent.
Probable Playing XIs
Afghanistan (AFG):
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Pakistan (PAK):
Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Agha Salman (c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
Key Players to Watch
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Saim Ayub (Pakistan): The stylish left-handed opener scored 130 runs against West Indies recently and knows Sharjah conditions well. His aggressive start could set the tone for Pakistan.
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Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): The Afghan skipper and world-class leg-spinner is coming off a strong performance in The Hundred, where he took 12 wickets in six games. His spell could be the game-changer.
Probable Scenarios
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If Afghanistan bats first: Expect an aggressive start from Gurbaz and Zadran, with Rashid and Mujeeb applying spin pressure later.
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If Pakistan bats first: Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman will target the powerplay, while Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf will look to exploit early movement with the ball.
Match Prediction
This contest promises to be a close battle, given both teams’ current form. Pakistan boasts a stronger pace attack, while Afghanistan has a world-class spin arsenal. The Sharjah pitch suits Afghanistan’s spinners, but Pakistan’s batting depth might give them a slight edge.
Prediction: Pakistan starts as marginal favorites, but Afghanistan could pull off an upset if their spinners dominate.