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The opening match of the UAE T20I tri-series 2025 will see Afghanistan take on Pakistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. For Afghanistan, this series is a crucial warm-up for the upcoming Asia Cup, with a squad led by the masterful Rashid Khan. The team boasts a number of promising young talents alongside experienced campaigners, a combination that has made them a formidable force in T20 cricket.
On the other side, Pakistan steps onto the field with a fresh-faced squad and a new approach under the leadership of Salman Ali Agha. With a focus on nurturing new talent, the team is looking to build a new identity and find a winning combination ahead of a busy schedule. This match is a chance for both sides to test their mettle and fine-tune their strategies.
AFG vs PAK: Match Details
- Date and Time: August 29, 8:30 PM IST / 03:00 PM GMT / 07:00 PM LOCAL
- Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
AFG vs PAK Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played: 07 | AFG won: 03 | PAK won: 03 | No results: 00
Sharjah Cricket Stadium pitch report:
The Sharjah Cricket Stadium pitch is a notorious batting paradise, especially given the short boundaries. While historically known for high-scoring encounters where even 200-plus totals were not safe, recent T20 matches suggest a more balanced surface. The pitch can be on the slower side, making it a challenge for batters to time the ball and bringing spinners and slower-ball bowlers into play. The toss is crucial, with teams often opting to bat first to post a formidable total on the board, though dew in night games can make chasing a more attractive option.
Squads:
Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Allah Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Farid Malik, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Pakistan: Salman Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufiyan Muqeem
Also READ: Top 5 players to watch out for in the UAE T20I Tri series 2025 ft. Fakhar Zaman
AFG vs PAK, Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Afghanistan won the toss and bat first
- AFG powerplay score: 50-55
- AFG overall score: 190-200
Case 2:
- Pakistan won the toss and bat first
- PAK powerplay score: 45-50
- PAK overall score: 180-190
Match result: Team batting first to win the game.
