Pakistan received a major confidence boost ahead of the Asia Cup after a dominant performance in the T20 tri-series final, crushing Afghanistan by 75 runs thanks to Mohammad Nawaz's sensational 5/19 in four overs, which included a brilliant hat-trick.
Stat Attack!
Lowest all-out totals for Afghanistan in T20Is
56 vs SA, Tarouba, 2024
66 vs PAK, Sharjah, 2025
72 vs BAN, Mirpur, 2014
80 vs SA, Bridgetown, 2010
80 vs ENG, Colombo (RPS), 2012
5-fers for Pakistan in Men's T20Is
5/3 - Sufiyan Muqeem vs ZIM, Bulawayo, 2024
5/6 - Umar Gul vs NZ, The Oval, 2009
5/6 - Umar Gul vs SA, Centurion, 2013
5/14 - Imad Wasim vs WI, Dubai, 2016
5/19 - Mohammad Nawaz vs AFG, Sharjah, 2025
5/30 - Hasan Ali vs BAN, Lahore, 2025
It's all over!
OUT! AM Ghazanfar was the last batter to be dismissed as Afghanistan were bowled out for just 66 in 15.5 overs in their pursuit of 142. Pakistan's spinners put on a masterclass to secure a commanding victory in the final. Shaheen Afridi set the tone by removing Gurbaz in the very first over, leaving Afghanistan on the back foot. Mohammad Nawaz then took control, claiming four quick wickets - including a sensational hat-trick - and later returned to dismiss skipper Rashid Khan, completing a memorable five-wicket haul. On the slow Sharjah pitch, spin dominated, and Afghanistan crumbled to a heavy 75-run defeat.
Afghanistan 9 down
OUT! Pakistan are now just a wicket away from an emphatic victory. Sufiyan Muqeem strikes to dismiss Noor Ahmad for his first wicket. AFG 57/9 in 13.1 Overs
Fifer for Mohammad Nawaz
OUT!After Rashid Khan sent one soaring for six, Mohammad Nawaz struck back immediately on the very next delivery. A full, wide ball outside off, Rashid went hard at it but miscued to cover. Amid a collision between Salman Agha and the keeper, the captain managed to hold on to the catch. AFG 55/8 in 12.2 overs
Afghanistan on the backfoot
OUT! Afghanistan are tumbling like a pack of cards, with nothing going their way. Abrar Ahmed claims his second wicket as Mohammad Nabi plays a shot to cover, where Salman, initially caught off guard, somehow clings on to the catch. AFG 46/7 in 10.4 overs
Welcome boundary for Afghanistan
SIX! Rashid Khan launches counter attack, charges down the track and clobbers Mohammad Nawaz over extra cover for maximum. Some respite for Afghanistan. AFG 40/6 in 9.2 overs
Mohammad Nawaz gets his fourth
OUT! Mohammad Nawaz spins a web around the Afghanistan batters, making them dance to his tune. A well-tossed delivery around middle and off tempts Karim Janat into a sweep, only for the ball to crash into his pads. Nawaz produces stunning figures of 4 wickets for just 1 run in 2 overs. Double-wicket maiden by Nawaz. AFG 32/6 in 7.4 Overs
Mohammad Nawaz takes hat-trick
OUT! Mohammad Nawaz has taken a hat-trick to leave Afghanistan tottering at 32/5 in 7.1 overs. A clever delivery from the spinner tempts Ibrahim Zadran forward, but he’s beaten on the outside edge, and Mohammad Haris swiftly whips off the bails.
Pakistan rattle Afghanistan chase
OUT! Mohammad Nawaz added to Afghanistan woes with back-to-back wickets, dismissing Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai on successive balls for ducks. He first trapped Rasooli in front with a tossed up delivery. Nawaz then removes Azmatullah, who goes for an immediate cut, edges it outside off, and Mohammad Haris takes a sharp catch behind the stumps. AFG 29/4 after 6 overs
Afghanistan lose openers cheaply
OUT! Afghanistan suffered eary blow in quick succession as in-form Sediqullah Atal went back to the dug out for 13. Abrar Ahmed struck back in style! After being hit for a boundary, he responded immediately with a tossed-up delivery outside off that held its line, removing the opener. A straightforward chance for Faheem stationed at cover. AFG 28/2 in 4.4 Overs
Shaheen Afridi delivers brilliant over
Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi put his experience to work, conceding just a single in his second over to keep Afghanistan in check. Afghanistan now need a steady partnership while also keeping the required run rate in sight as they chase 142. AFG 17/1 after 3 overs
Shaheen Afridi dismisses Rahmanullah Gurbaz
OUT! Shaheen Afridi provides Pakistan early breakthrough by dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 5. Gurbaz looked in good touch as he flicked through square leg with sublime timing for four but edged it to first slip two ball later. Gurbaz goes for the late cut but nicked it straight to wide slip, safely taken by Sahibzada Farhan. AFG 7/1 in 0.5 Overs
Welcome Back!
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal are out in the middle to begin Afghanistan's 142-run chase. Shaheen Afridi with the new ball for Pakistan
Pakistan set 142-run target for Afghanistan
Pakistan managed only 141/8 in their 20 overs on a surface that offered grip and hold for the bowlers. The conditions played perfectly into the hands of Afghanistan’s spinners, who once again delivered an excellent performance, continuing their dominance throughout the series. Captain Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers returning figures of 38/3 in 4 overs. Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub put together a 49-run partnership for the second wicket, but their dismissals in quick succession right after the powerplay shifted the momentum, allowing Afghanistan’s spinners to seize control of the game.
Pakistan 8 down
SIX & OUT! Mohammad Nawaz welcomes Fazalhaq Farooqi with a maximum over long-off but perishes in an attempt for another big one as he holes out to Ibrahim Zadran at deep midwicket. PAK 136/8 in 19.2 overs