Introduction
The UAE Tri-Nation T20I Series 2025 concluded in spectacular fashion at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on September 7, 2025. UAE Tri Series Final Fans were treated to a final full of drama, skill, and raw passion as Pakistan dismantled Afghanistan by 75 runs to lift the trophy. With Pakistan’s bowlers led by Mohammad Nawaz producing a masterclass, the Afghan batting order crumbled under pressure. This result not only crowned Pakistan as champions but also sent a strong message ahead of the Asia Cup.
In this article, we’ll break down how the match unfolded, provide the full scorecard, highlight standout performances, and examine what this means for both teams moving forward.
Tournament Background
The tri-series featured Pakistan, Afghanistan, and hosts UAE. Each team faced the others twice in a double round-robin format, and the top two sides advanced to the final. Pakistan and Afghanistan dominated the group stage with consistent performances, while UAE showed promise but fell short on net run rate. This set up a much-anticipated final between two regional rivals at the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Sharjah Conditions and Atmosphere
Sharjah has long been a cricketing hub, famous for producing thrilling contests. The pitch in this final was slow and spin-friendly, making stroke play difficult. Dew wasn’t a major factor, but batters needed to apply themselves carefully. With thousands of passionate fans in attendance—many supporting both teams—the stage was set for a night of high-octane cricket.
Pakistan’s Innings – Building a Fighting Total
Winning the toss, Pakistan captain Salman Agha elected to bat first, trusting his bowlers to defend later.
- Early Struggles: The innings began shakily, with opener Sahibzada Farhan dismissed for a duck in the very first over by Fazalhaq Farooqi.
- Fakhar Zaman’s Resistance: Zaman anchored the innings with 27 runs off 26 balls, mixing patience with calculated aggression.
- Middle Order Contributions: Salman Agha (24 off 27) and Hasan Nawaz (15 off 8) provided momentum.
- Late Flourish: All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with a quick 25 off 21 balls, while Faheem Ashraf added a handy 15 off 8 deliveries to push Pakistan past 140.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Pakistan closed their innings at 141/8 in 20 overs, a competitive score given the conditions.
Afghanistan’s Bowling Efforts
Afghanistan’s bowlers, especially their spinners, kept Pakistan under control for most of the innings.
- Rashid Khan was the standout, claiming 3 wickets for 38 runs.
- Noor Ahmad impressed with figures of 2/17 in 4 overs, including key breakthroughs.
- Farooqi took 2 wickets with the new ball, while Ghazanfar chipped in with one.
Their collective effort restricted Pakistan from posting a 160+ total, but the chase was always going to be tricky on this pitch.
Afghanistan’s Chase – A Dramatic Collapse
Chasing 142, Afghanistan needed a steady start, but Pakistan’s bowlers had other ideas.
- Early Blows: Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell in the very first over to Shaheen Afridi. By the end of the powerplay, Afghanistan were tottering at 29/4.
- Middle Order Woes: The likes of Ibrahim Zadran (9 off 15) and Mohammad Nabi (3 off 10) struggled against spin.
- Mohammad Nawaz’s Magic: Nawaz ran riot, dismantling the Afghan lineup with 5 wickets for just 19 runs, including a stunning hat-trick—a rare feat in T20Is.
- Brief Resistance: Skipper Rashid Khan showed fight with 17 runs off 18 balls, but it wasn’t enough to save his team.
Afghanistan were eventually bowled out for 66 in just 15.5 overs, giving Pakistan a commanding 75-run victory.
Full Scorecard – UAE Tri Series Final 2025
Pakistan Innings (141/8 in 20 overs)
| Batsman | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | b Farooqi |
| Saim Ayub | 17 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 89.47 | c Rashid b Noor Ahmad |
| Fakhar Zaman | 27 | 26 | 2 | 1 | 103.85 | lbw b Rashid Khan |
| Salman Agha (c) | 24 | 27 | 0 | 2 | 88.89 | c Ghazanfar b Rashid Khan |
| Hasan Nawaz | 15 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 187.50 | c Rasooli b Rashid Khan |
| Mohammad Haris (wk) | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 | b Noor Ahmad |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 25 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 119.05 | c Zadran b Farooqi |
| Faheem Ashraf | 15 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 187.50 | c Gurbaz b Ghazanfar |
| Shaheen Afridi | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 | not out |
| Sufiyan Muqeem | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | not out |
Extras: 14 (b 2, lb 5, w 7)
Total: 141/8 (20 overs)
Bowling (Afghanistan):
- Farooqi 3–0–19–2
- Omarzai 1–0–5–0
- Ghazanfar 4–0–27–1
- Nabi 4–0–28–0
- Noor Ahmad 4–0–17–2
- Rashid Khan 4–0–38–3
Afghanistan Innings (66 all out in 15.5 overs)
| Batsman | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 125.00 | c Farhan b Shaheen Afridi |
| Sediqullah Atal | 13 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 86.67 | c Ashraf b Abrar Ahmed |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 9 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 | st Haris b Nawaz |
| Darwish Rasooli | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | lbw b Nawaz |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | c Haris b Nawaz |
| Mohammad Nabi | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 30.00 | c Agha b Abrar Ahmed |
| Karim Janat | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | lbw b Nawaz |
| Rashid Khan (c) | 17 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 94.44 | c Agha b Nawaz |
| Noor Ahmad | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 | c Abrar b Muqeem |
| Ghazanfar | 7 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 100.00 | c Abrar b Muqeem |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 2 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 18.18 | not out |
Extras: 7 (b 1, lb 3, w 3)
Total: 66 all out (15.5 overs)
Bowling (Pakistan):
- Shaheen Afridi 2–0–7–1
- Abrar Ahmed 4–0–17–2
- Saim Ayub 3–0–10–0
- Mohammad Nawaz 4–1–19–5
- Sufiyan Muqeem 2.5–0–9–2
Turning Points of the Match
- Early Wickets for Pakistan: Afghanistan’s chase derailed when they lost 4 wickets inside the first six overs.
- Nawaz’s Hat-Trick: Mohammad Nawaz’s magical over turned the match completely in Pakistan’s favor.
- Lower Order Failure: Afghanistan’s tail couldn’t survive the spin web, folding cheaply.
Player of the Match – Mohammad Nawaz
Nawaz’s figures of 5/19, including a T20I hat-trick, were the defining moment of the match. His ability to mix flight, pace, and accuracy made him unplayable on Sharjah’s surface. Not only did he win Player of the Match, but he also bagged Player of the Series.
What This Means Ahead of the Asia Cup
- Pakistan: The win boosts morale. Their bowling depth, especially in spin-friendly conditions, is now a major weapon.
- Afghanistan: The loss exposed batting frailties. While their bowling remains competitive, their batting lineup needs consistency under pressure.
FAQs
Q1: Who won the UAE Tri Series Final 2025?
A1: Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 75 runs.
Q2: Where was the final played?
A2: At the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE.
Q3: Who was the Player of the Match?
A3: Mohammad Nawaz for his 5/19, including a T20I hat-trick.
Q4: What was Pakistan’s total?
A4: Pakistan scored 141/8 in 20 overs.
Q5: How many runs did Afghanistan make?
A5: Afghanistan were bowled out for just 66 runs.
Q6: What’s next for the teams?
A6: Both teams now prepare for the Asia Cup 2025, with Pakistan carrying strong momentum.
Conclusion
The UAE Tri Series Final was a one-sided affair, but it showcased the intensity of regional cricket rivalries. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Mohammad Nawaz, produced a memorable performance that will be remembered for years. Afghanistan, while disappointed, will look to regroup and come back stronger in the Asia Cup.
Pakistan leave Sharjah not just as champions, but as a team brimming with belief and balance—ready for bigger challenges ahead.
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