The UAE vs Afghanistan T20I Tri-Series in Sharjah thrilled cricket fans with action-packed moments. Both teams entered the match with determination. Afghanistan was looking to make a strong comeback, while the UAE was eager to secure a significant victory on its home turf.
To begin with, Afghanistan batted first and dominated from the start. The openers attacked early and kept the scoreboard moving. Ibrahim Zadran smashed 63 runs with confidence. At the other end, Sediqullah Atal struck a quick 54. Afghanistan achieved an outstanding score of 188/4 in just 20 overs because of their cooperation. As a result, they sent a strong message with their aggressive batting.
Afghanistan’s Batting Scorecard – 188 (4 wkts, 20 ov)
| Batting | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) | 7 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Sediqullah Atal | 54 | 40 | 4 | 3 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 63 | 40 | 3 | 4 |
| Darwish Rasooli | 10 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai* | 20 | 12 | 0 | 2 |
| Karim Janat* | 23 | 10 | 2 | 2 |
Bowling Figures
- Muhammad Rohid – 4 ov, 34 runs, 2 wkts
- Muhammad Saghir Khan – 4 ov, 52 runs, 2 wkts
Meanwhile, the UAE chased with hope but faced a tough challenge. Captain Muhammad Waseem led from the front and hammered 67 runs. His attacking shots gave the UAE a fighting chance. In addition, Rahul Chopra supported him well and stayed unbeaten on 52. Unfortunately, the other batters couldn’t form any solid partnerships, causing the UAE’s innings to gradually slip out of their grasp.
After that, Afghanistan’s bowlers turned the game around. On the Sharjah pitch, Rashid Khan worked his magic. He broke the backbone of the UAE’s batting order by taking three wickets for just 21 runs. With this spell, Rashid also created history by becoming the highest wicket-taker in T20 internationals, surpassing Tim Southee. Moreover, Sharafuddin Ashraf joined the attack and also removed three batters. Together, the spinners completely crushed the UAE’s hopes.
UAE’s Batting Scorecard – 150 (8wkts, 20 ov)
| Batting | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Zohaib Khan | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Muhammad Waseem (c) | 67 | 37 | 4 | 6 |
| Ethan Carl D’souza | 12 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Rahul Chopra (wk)* | 52 | 35 | 3 | 3 |
| Asif khan | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Harshit Kaushik | 4 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Dhruv Parashar | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Muhammad Saghir Khan | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Haider Ali | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Junaid Siddique | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling Figures
- Fazalhaq Farooqi – 3 ov, 24 runs, 1 wkt
- Sharafuddin Ashraf – 4 ov, 24 runs, 3 wkts
- Rashid Khan © – 4 ov, 21 runs, 3 wkts
- Mohammad Nabi – 2 ov, 9 runs, 1 wkt
Consequently, the UAE’s chase collapsed under pressure. Afghanistan restricted them and sealed a 38-run win. Therefore, the victory gave Afghanistan their first points in the series and boosted their confidence.
On the other hand, the UAE wasted a golden chance. Even though Waseem and Chopra impressed with their batting, the middle order failed to step up. Clearly, the team must play with more consistency if they want to compete in the rest of the series.
In contrast, Afghanistan looked strong and balanced. Their top-order batting clicked, and their spin attack dominated. Rashid Khan’s record-breaking performance not only gave them a win but also showed why Afghanistan remains a dangerous side in T20 cricket.
Looking ahead, fans can expect more thrilling clashes in this tri-series. The UAE will try to fight back and prove itself. Afghanistan will aim to continue its winning momentum. Since Sharjah’s pitch favors spinners, every match promises another exciting battle between bat and ball.
In conclusion, the UAE vs Afghanistan T20I Tri-Series showcased intense rivalry, historic records, and exciting cricket. Both teams will keep pushing harder, and fans can look forward to more memorable moments in the coming matches.
