Pakistan dominate Afghanistan in tri-series opener thanks to Agha and bowlers
SHARJAH: Salman Ali Agha’s explosive half-century, backed by a disciplined bowling display, powered Pakistan to a commanding 50-run win over Afghanistan in the opening clash of the UAE T20I tri-nation series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Set a challenging target of 183, Afghanistan folded for 143 in 19.5 overs despite captain Rashid Khan’s valiant resistance.
The star all-rounder hammered a blistering 39 off just 16 balls, decorated with one boundary and five towering sixes, but his heroics fell short of rescuing his side.
At 60/1 after seven overs, Afghanistan looked well on track with opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz taking charge against Pakistan’s attack. However, Mohammad Nawaz turned the tide by bowling Gurbaz around his legs in the very next over. The right-hander made 38 off 27 balls, striking three fours and a six.
Darwish Rasooli (21) and Sediqullah Atal (23) tried to rebuild with a 25-run stand, but Haris Rauf dismissed Atal in the 12th over. That triggered a dramatic collapse as Afghanistan crumbled from 93/3 to 97/7 within just 25 deliveries.
Rashid Khan attempted to revive hopes with his counter-attacking knock, but once he fell, Pakistan’s bowlers wrapped up the tail to seal a comprehensive victory.
Haris Rauf spearheaded the bowling with 4/31 in 3.5 overs, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem and Nawaz claimed two wickets apiece.
Earlier, skipper Agha’s decision to bat first paid off as Pakistan posted 182/7 in their allotted overs.
Sahibzada Farhan gave a fiery start, smashing 21 off 10 balls with a four and two sixes before being dismissed in the third over. Saim Ayub (14 off 16) and Fakhar Zaman (20) provided brief resistance but Pakistan slipped to 83/4 in the 12th over after Hasan Nawaz (9) also departed cheaply.
It was then Agha who took charge, joining hands with Mohammad Nawaz for a rapid 53-run stand off just 28 deliveries. Nawaz contributed a quick 21 from 11 balls, including one four and two sixes, before falling to Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the 16th over.
Agha later combined with Mohammad Haris (15) for a 31-run partnership, guiding Pakistan towards a strong finish. He was finally dismissed on the second ball of the final over by Fareed Ahmad, but not before anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 53 off 36 balls, featuring three fours and three sixes.
For Afghanistan, Fareed picked up two wickets but proved costly, leaking 47 runs in his four overs. Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai chipped in with one wicket each.
