Pakistan clinched the tri-nation T20 series in style as Mohammad Nawaz delivered a stunning bowling spell to dismantle Afghanistan in the final at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The left-arm spinner bagged five wickets for just 19 runs, including a hat-trick, to bowl out Afghanistan for a mere 66 runs in 15.4 overs. Pakistan won the match by 75 runs to lift the trophy ahead of the Asia Cup.
Chasing 142, Afghanistan’s batting lineup collapsed against Pakistan’s spinners. Nawaz started the damage by removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 5 and went on to claim key wickets in quick succession. Sediqullah Atal (13) and Ibrahim Zadran (9) tried to hold on, but the rest of the batting crumbled. Rashid Khan top-scored with 17 off 18 balls before being dismissed by Nawaz. None of the other Afghan batters could reach double figures, with four players dismissed for ducks.
Alongside Nawaz’s brilliance, Abrar Ahmed picked up 2 for 17, while young spinner Sufiyan Muqeem impressed with 2 for 9. Shaheen Shah Afridi chipped in with one wicket for seven runs. Nawaz’s hat-trick made him the third Pakistani bowler to achieve the feat in T20 internationals.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 141 for 8 in their innings. Fakhar Zaman scored 27 off 26 balls with two boundaries and a six, while skipper Salman Ali Agha made a fighting 24. Mohammad Nawaz contributed with the bat as well, hitting 25 off 21 balls, laced with two sixes. Faheem Ashraf added a quick 15, and Hasan Nawaz struck 15 off 8 balls. Despite regular wickets falling, Pakistan managed to put up a competitive total.
For Afghanistan, captain Rashid Khan led from the front with 3 for 25. Noor Ahmad (2 for 17) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (2 for 19) also bowled well, while youngster AM Ghazanfar picked up one wicket.
In the end, Pakistan’s bowling unit proved too strong for Afghanistan as Nawaz’s historic five-wicket haul sealed the title. The Green Shirts now head into the Asia Cup full of confidence after a clinical display in Sharjah.
