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Match overview

Fixture: Pakistan vs Afghanistan — UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025 Final

Venue:Sharjah

Toss:Pakistan opted to bat first and reached 141/8 (20). Afghanistan’s spinners, led by Rashid Khan, broke the innings’ back through the middle. Afghanistan’s reply began with early wickets; the chase target is 142.

First innings: Pakistan 141/8 — spinners rule the middle

Pakistan began cautiously through Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, but once spin took over, Afghanistan seized control. Rashid Khan claimed three wickets, with Noor Ahmad joining the squeeze to remove set batters and stall acceleration. Pakistan finished at 141/8, a total the live blog described as “underwhelming” given the toss advantage and earlier trend at Sharjah.

Run chase: Afghanistan’s start & live situation

Afghanistan opened their pursuit of 142 with a couple of early setbacks as Pakistan struck inside the powerplay. The Indian Express live blog recorded AFG 28/2 during the chase, noting conditions that aid slower balls and reward spinners as the evening wears on. Keep an eye on Rashid’s role with the bat and the Ibrahim–Gurbaz axis if set. (Live numbers will continue to change.)

Playing XIs

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Mohammad Nabi, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Pakistan:Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed.

Key context & what to watch

Sharjah trend: Teams batting first have often held an edge as the surface slows, putting a premium on early wickets and high-quality pace-off options. Pakistan defended totals here earlier in the series; Afghanistan, though, have grown stronger match-by-match.

Spin factor: With Rashid and Noor already decisive, expect Pakistan to mirror that with Abrar Ahmed and cutters from the seamers as dew/abrasion settle in.