Afghanistan stunned Pakistan with an 18-run victory in the fourth match of the tri-nation series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, thanks to a strong batting display and a spin attack that never let Pakistan settle.
Batting first after winning the toss, Afghanistan recovered from an early setback when Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for just 8. Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal then took charge, building a brilliant 113-run partnership that shifted the momentum. Zadran smashed 65 off 45 balls with eight boundaries and a six, while Atal scored 64 from 45 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes. Their partnership carried Afghanistan to 169 for 5. Pakistan’s bowlers struggled for breakthroughs, though Faheem Ashraf shone with a career-best spell of 4 for 27, dismissing Zadran, Atal, Omarzai, and Nabi to keep the total in check.
In reply, Pakistan got off to a brisk start with 52 runs in the powerplay, but wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals. Sahibzada Farhan scored 18 before falling to Fazalhaq Farooqi, while Fakhar Zaman’s promising 25 ended just as he looked set. Salman Ali Agha made 20 before being run out, and the middle order collapsed under the pressure of Afghanistan’s spinners. Mohammad Haris managed only 1, Faheem Ashraf scored 14, and Hasan Nawaz was removed for 9. Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi all picked up two wickets each, tightening the screws on Pakistan’s chase.
The only real resistance came late from Haris Rauf, who played a fiery unbeaten knock of 34 off 16 balls, hammering four sixes to give Pakistan faint hope. But with no support from the other end, his effort went in vain as Pakistan fell short by 18 runs. Afghanistan’s bowling attack, led by Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Mohammad Nabi, proved decisive in sealing the win.
With this victory, Afghanistan once again showcased their growing dominance in T20 cricket, especially in spin-friendly conditions, while Pakistan were left ruing another batting collapse despite flashes of brilliance.
