Mohammad Nawaz delivered a match-winning spell of left-arm spin to help Pakistan lift the tri-series title in Sharjah. On a gripping and dewy evening, Nawaz ripped through Afghanistan’s batting order with 5 for 19, including a brilliant hat-trick, as Afghanistan folded for only 66 runs. Pakistan secured a 75-run win, wrapping up the tournament in dominant style and heading into the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 with renewed confidence.
Pakistan 141 for 8 (Zaman 27, Nawaz 25, Rashid 3-38) beat Afghanistan 66 (Nawaz 5-19, Muqeem 2-9, Abrar 2-17) by 75 runs
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles in the Final
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan hoped to put up a strong total. However, the innings began poorly as Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a duck in the opening over. Afghanistan’s spinners quickly found rhythm on a surface that offered grip and turn, making scoring difficult.
Several Pakistani batters got starts but none could carry on. The middle order struggled against Afghanistan’s disciplined spin attack, with dot balls mounting and pressure building. By the halfway stage, Pakistan looked vulnerable, with even captain Babar Azam unable to accelerate.
Despite the difficulties, Pakistan managed to reach 141 runs, a modest score in T20 cricket. At that point, Afghanistan appeared to be in control of the contest. But as the second innings began, everything changed.
Shaheen Afridi’s Early Strike Sets the Tone
Defending a below-par total, Pakistan needed early breakthroughs. Shaheen Shah Afridi once again delivered with the new ball, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz cheaply. His sharp opening spell created immediate pressure, forcing Afghanistan’s batters onto the back foot.
The wicket set the stage perfectly for Mohammad Nawaz to take over.
Nawaz Spins a Web: The Hat-Trick
Introduced in the fifth over, Nawaz turned the game on its head in a matter of deliveries. What followed was a spell that will be remembered in Sharjah for years to come:
- First wicket: Darwesh Rasooli trapped lbw after an appeal full of conviction.
- Second wicket: Azmatullah edged to slip first ball.
- Hat-trick moment: A flighted delivery lured Ibrahim Zadran out of his crease. Mohammad Haris completed a sharp stumping, sealing Nawaz’s hat-trick.
- Fourth wicket: Karim Janat fell to another clever variation, leaving Afghanistan at 32/6.
- Fifth wicket: Rashid Khan was dismissed, completing Nawaz’s five-for and silencing the Afghan-majority crowd.
In just six overs, Afghanistan’s chase collapsed completely. From a position where the game looked even, Nawaz made sure the contest ended decisively in Pakistan’s favor.
Nawaz: Pakistan’s Proven Matchwinner
For years, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has described Mohammad Nawaz as a “matchwinner.” This performance showed exactly why. His ability to rise in high-pressure matches and deliver decisive spells makes him an invaluable part of Pakistan’s T20 setup.
With conditions favoring spinners, Nawaz’s confidence and control stood out. Each delivery looked threatening, and the Afghan batters had no answers.
Rashid Khan’s Rarely Expensive Over
While Nawaz stole the spotlight with the ball, a key turning point came earlier with the bat. Rashid Khan, usually Afghanistan’s most economical bowler, conceded 17 runs in his final over.
- Salman Ali Agha launched two sixes in the over after struggling for fluency.
- Faheem Ashraf then struck a boundary off his very first ball.
This late surge helped Pakistan add valuable runs and gave their bowlers a more competitive total to defend. On a night where every run counted, this over proved crucial.
Pakistan’s Momentum Ahead of the Asia Cup
This emphatic victory gives Pakistan an important psychological lift ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. The team has shown resilience, with its bowlers stepping up even when the batting lineup faltered. Nawaz’s performance will give the squad belief that they can overcome challenges in high-stakes tournaments.
For Afghanistan, the defeat was a bitter disappointment. On the most important night of the series, they delivered their weakest performance, collapsing under pressure and failing to rise to the occasion.
Final Word
The Pakistan vs Afghanistan tri-series final in Sharjah will be remembered for one reason: Mohammad Nawaz’s hat-trick. His spell of 5 for 19 was a masterclass in T20 spin bowling and proved decisive in securing Pakistan’s title.
As Pakistan prepares for the Asia Cup, this win not only strengthens their morale but also reaffirms their growing dominance in conditions that support spin. For Nawaz, this was yet another step in proving he is truly Pakistan’s modern-day matchwinner.
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