Under the lights of the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Pakistan began their tri-series campaign with a statement. A composed half-century from Salman Ali Agha set up the innings, before Haris Rauf’s four-wicket burst dismantled Afghanistan’s chase, sealing a 39-run victory in the opening T20I.
Having won the toss, Pakistan chose to bat. Their start was brisk if a little shaky — Sahibzada Farhan’s 21 from just 10 balls, including two sixes, gave early momentum, but wickets tumbled regularly. Fakhar Zaman chipped in with 20, yet by the halfway mark Pakistan were wobbling at 83 for four.
It was here that Salman Ali Agha stepped forward with the kind of innings that anchors a side. On a surface where timing was tricky, he held the batting together, compiling an unbeaten 53 from 36 deliveries. Three fours and three sixes punctuated his knock, but more crucial was the partnership he built with Mohammad Nawaz. Together they added 53 for the fifth wicket, Nawaz’s 21 off 11 providing the late thrust Pakistan needed. The innings closed on 182 for seven, a total that looked competitive without being out of reach.
Afghanistan’s reply began brightly. Rahmanullah Gurbaz unfurled his trademark strokeplay, making 38, while Rashid Khan, promoted up the order, counterattacked with 39 to keep the chase alive. At 92 for two in the 12th over, Afghanistan looked well set.
Then the collapse came. In a sudden, ruthless passage, they lost five wickets for just four runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early blows, Mohammad Nawaz and Sufiyan Moqim tightened the screws with their left-arm spin, and Haris Rauf arrived to rip out the middle and lower order. His pace proved too hot to handle — finishing with four for 31 in 3.5 overs — as Afghanistan’s innings folded for 143 with a ball left unused.
Shaheen’s figures of two for 21 and Nawaz’s two for 23 highlighted the all-round nature of Pakistan’s attack, while Moqim’s two for 25 gave him an early mark in the tournament. For Afghanistan, what had looked like a poised chase unravelled in dramatic fashion, leaving them short by 39 runs.
For his steadying hand with the bat and unbeaten half-century, Salman Ali Agha was named Player of the Match. Pakistan will return to Sharjah on Saturday night, facing hosts UAE, seeking to extend their strong start in this tri-series.
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