Pakistan Beat Afghanistan by 39 Runs in Sharjah T20I Opener

The opening match of the T20 tri-series in Sharjah turned into a statement of intent for Pakistan as they secured a convincing 39-run victory over Afghanistan. It was a night that had everything—early setbacks, a captain’s rescue act, a batting collapse, and a fiery bowling display that sealed the contest.

Pakistan’s Innings: From Stumbles to Stability

Opting to bat first, Pakistan didn’t enjoy the smoothest of starts. Early wickets left the batting order under pressure, with Afghanistan’s bowlers tightening their grip in the powerplay. At one stage, Pakistan were struggling at 83 for 4, and the innings looked set for a modest finish.

That’s when Salman Ali Agha stepped up with the responsibility of a leader. Calm, composed, and smart in shot selection, he anchored the innings beautifully. His unbeaten 53 runs off 36 balls included three fours and three sixes, a knock that balanced patience with power.

Support came from Mohammad Nawaz, who played a brisk cameo of 21 off just 11 deliveries, injecting late momentum into the innings. Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman chipped in with handy contributions of 21 and 20 respectively. By the time 20 overs were completed, Pakistan had recovered impressively to post 182 for 7—a total that felt both competitive and defendable on Sharjah’s surface.

Afghanistan’s Chase: Bright Start, Sudden Collapse

Chasing 183, Afghanistan began with determination. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looked in sublime touch, smashing boundaries with confidence and scoring 38 runs off 27 balls. With the scoreboard at 92 for 2, the chase seemed well within reach, and Afghan fans were beginning to dream.

But cricket has a way of turning in an instant. In a dramatic twist, Afghanistan’s innings unraveled completely. They lost five wickets for just four runs in a span of less than three overs. From a position of strength, they crashed to 97 for 7, and the chase was effectively over.

One man, however, refused to go down quietly—Rashid Khan. The Afghan star played a breathtaking cameo, hammering 39 runs from only 16 deliveries, including five massive sixes. His late fireworks lit up the Sharjah night but arrived too late to save his team. Eventually, Afghanistan were bowled out for 143 runs, falling short by 39.

Pakistan’s Bowling: Ruthless and Relentless

While Salman Agha’s batting provided stability, it was Pakistan’s bowlers who truly stamped authority on the game. Leading the attack was Haris Rauf, whose pace and accuracy proved unplayable at times. He finished with outstanding figures of 4 wickets for 31 runs in 3.5 overs, dismantling Afghanistan’s middle and lower order.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was equally effective with the new ball, striking early to keep pressure on Afghanistan’s top order. He claimed 2 wickets for 21 runs in his four overs.

Adding to the dominance, Mohammad Nawaz used his left-arm spin cleverly, picking up 2 wickets for 23 runs, while Sufiyan Moqim also contributed with 2 wickets for 25 runs. Together, Pakistan’s bowling unit showcased the perfect blend of pace and spin, ensuring Afghanistan never regained control after the collapse.

Why This Win Matters

For Pakistan, this win is more than just points on the board in the tri-series. It sets the tone for the campaign ahead, especially with the Asia Cup just around the corner. The match highlighted depth in their squad: a skipper leading from the front with the bat, and bowlers hunting in packs to choke the opposition.

For Afghanistan, the defeat will sting—not because of the loss itself, but because of how quickly the chase slipped from their hands. Rashid Khan’s cameo will remain a silver lining, but the middle-order collapse is a concern they will need to address quickly.

Final Takeaway

The Sharjah opener was a reminder of how unpredictable and thrilling T20 cricket can be. Pakistan showed resilience under pressure and walked away with a comfortable 39-run win. Afghanistan, despite moments of brilliance, will look back on the sudden collapse as the turning point.

As the tri-series progresses, fans can expect more fireworks, but Pakistan’s strong start has already made a bold statement: they are here to dominate.