Pakistan win against Afghanistan by 75 runs to win tri-series final
SHARJAH: Pakistan lifted the tri-series trophy on Sunday after thrashing Afghanistan by 75 runs in the final, courtesy of an outstanding spell from all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, who claimed his maiden T20I hat-trick along with a five-wicket haul.
Chasing 142, Afghanistan crumbled under pressure and were bundled out for just 66 runs in 15.5 overs. Shaheen Afridi gave Pakistan the perfect start, removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the opening over. Spinner Abrar Ahmed followed by dismissing Sediqullah Atal for 13, leaving Afghanistan struggling at 28/2.
Mohammad Nawaz then turned the game on its head. In the sixth over, he dismissed Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai for ducks on consecutive balls. Returning in the eighth, Nawaz sent back Ibrahim Zadran on the first delivery to complete his hat-trick before dismissing Karim Jannat in the same over. His brilliance reduced Afghanistan to 32/6, and from there, the collapse was inevitable. Nawaz later added the wicket of Rashid Khan for 17 to finish with a career-best five-wicket haul.
Sufiyan Muqeem chipped in with two scalps, including Noor Ahmad and AM Ghazanfar, while Abrar Ahmed also picked two wickets. Afghanistan folded at 66, handing Pakistan a dominant win by 75 runs.
Earlier, after opting to bat, Pakistan posted 141/8 in their 20 overs. The Men in Green suffered an early setback as Sahibzada Farhan was bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqi for a duck. Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman attempted to rebuild with a 48-run stand, but both fell before settling into big scores. Rashid Khan’s spell proved costly for Pakistan as he dismissed Fakhar, Hasan Nawaz, and Salman Agha, breaking key partnerships.
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Mohammad Nawaz contributed with the bat as well, scoring 25 off 21 balls, while Agha Salman chipped in with 24. Faheem Ashraf’s quick 15 kept Pakistan moving towards a competitive total. For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Fazalhaq Farooqi and Noor Ahmad took two apiece.
The win saw Pakistan seal the tri-series title, with both Pakistan and Afghanistan having entered the final with six points each from the group stage. Hosts UAE bowed out early, losing all four of their matches.
Pakistan’s clinical performance, led by Nawaz’s all-round brilliance, not only secured the trophy but also boosted confidence ahead of the upcoming T20 assignments.
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