Pakistan Triumphs Over Afghanistan: Nawaz’s Hat Trick Shines in UAE Tri-Series Final

In a dominant display ahead of the Asia Cup, Pakistan secured a convincing 75-run victory over Afghanistan, with Mohammad Nawaz achieving a hat-trick during the UAE Tri-series final in Sharjah on Sunday.

Nawaz delivered his best T20 international performance, claiming 5-19, as Pakistan bowled Afghanistan out for just 66 runs in 15.5 overs, successfully defending a modest target of 142 on a challenging pitch.

Afghanistan’s captain, Rashid Khan, took three wickets, limiting Pakistan to 141-8. Fakhar Zaman was the top scorer for Pakistan with 27 runs.

Nawaz’s hat-trick came when he dismissed Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai on consecutive deliveries, both for zero, and then removed Ibrahim Zadran for nine with the first ball of his next over.

Nawaz is now the third Pakistani to achieve a T20I hat-trick, joining Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Hasnain.

Only Rashid Khan (17) and Sediqullah Atal (13) managed double figures for Afghanistan, who recorded their second-lowest T20I total, following their 56 all out against South Africa in the World Cup semi-finals last year.

Pakistan struggled against spin after opting to bat first, with Nawaz scoring 25 off 21 balls, including two sixes, while captain Salman Agha managed 24 from 27 balls.

Zaman formed a 49-run partnership with Saim Ayub (17) for the second wicket after opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a duck on the third ball of the match.

Rashid Khan accounted for Zaman’s wicket in his first over, also dismissing Hasan Nawaz (15) and Agha, after being hit for two sixes by the latter.

Afghanistan will begin their Asia Cup campaign on Tuesday against Hong Kong in a Group B match in Abu Dhabi. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are also in their group. Meanwhile, Pakistan will face India, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates in Group A.

Published on Sep 08, 2025.