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The stage is set for an exciting cricketing spectacle as the UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025 gets underway from August 29 to September 7, at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. This high-octane tournament features three competitive nations – Pakistan, Afghanistan, and hosts United Arab Emirates – battling it out in the shortest format of the game. The tri-series follows a round-robin format where each team will play the other twice, with the top two teams advancing to the final on September 7.
The perfect dress rehearsal for Asia Cup 2025
The timing and significance of this tri-series cannot be overstated, as it serves as the ideal dress rehearsal for the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to commence just two days after the tri-series concludes. With the Asia Cup set to take place from September 9-28 in the UAE, featuring matches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, all three participating nations will benefit enormously from acclimatizing to the local conditions in Sharjah. This tournament represents a crucial preparation phase, particularly for Pakistan and Afghanistan, who are among the stronger contenders for the continental crown.
For Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, this tri-series offers an opportunity to test new combinations and build momentum after recent struggles. Afghanistan, after their historic T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final appearance where they defeated Australia and New Zealand, and T20I series win against Zimbabwe. They will be eager to maintain their upward trajectory under Rashid Khan‘s captaincy. UAE, despite being the underdogs, will draw confidence from their recent historic T20I series victory over Bangladesh in May 2025, where Muhammad Waseem led from the front. The tri-series essentially provides a final opportunity for all three teams to address tactical concerns, assess player form, and build the confidence needed for the Asia Cup, where they will face stronger opposition including India and other established cricketing powers.
Here are the top 5 players to watch out for in the UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025:
- Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)
The dynamic left-handed opener remains one of Pakistan’s most explosive batters despite recent injury concerns that forced him to miss the remainder of the West Indies series with a hamstring problem. Zaman’s recent T20I statistics show glimpses of his destructive potential, having scored 1,949 runs in 97 T20I matches at a strike rate of 131.77. His 2025 T20I numbers indicate he has managed 53 runs in 3 matches at a strike rate of 115.2, suggesting he may still be finding his rhythm after the injury layoff.
However, his experience in UAE conditions, particularly in Sharjah where he has previously showcased his power-hitting abilities, makes him a crucial player for Pakistan’s ambitions. His ability to provide explosive starts in the powerplay will be vital for Pakistan’s new-look batting lineup.
- Saim Ayub (Pakistan)
The 23-year-old left-handed batter Saim Ayub from Karachi represents the future of Pakistani cricket and has already established himself as a key player across formats. Ayub’s remarkable 2024 saw him make debuts in both Test and ODI cricket, culminating in a breakthrough maiden ODI century against South Africa in December 2024.
His stylish left-handed batting technique, reminiscent of Saeed Anwar, combined with his handy off-break bowling, makes him a valuable all-round asset. In the 2023 PSL, playing for Peshawar Zalmi, he scored 341 runs at an average of 28.41 and a remarkable strike rate of 165.53. His inclusion in both the tri-series and Asia Cup squads demonstrates the management’s faith in his ability to perform under pressure against international opposition.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan)
The 23-year-old wicket-keeper batter from Jalalabad has emerged as Afghanistan’s premier T20 talent and a key figure in their remarkable rise in world cricket. Gurbaz’s aggressive batting style and excellent glovework have made him indispensable to Afghanistan’s setup.
His T20 statistics are impressive, with 1,702 runs in 67 matches at a strike rate of 134.6, including one century and ten fifties. His experience in the Indian Premier League with Kolkata Knight Riders, where he has scored 363 runs in 19 matches, has further enhanced his reputation on the global stage.
In the 2024 T20 World Cup, where Afghanistan reached the semi-finals, Gurbaz played crucial innings that helped his team defeat established nations like Australia. His ability to provide explosive starts and steady the innings when required makes him Afghanistan’s key player in both tri-series and Asia Cup campaigns.
- Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
The 26-year-old leg-spinner and Afghanistan’s captain is arguably one of the most recognizable faces in world cricket today. Rashid’s leadership during Afghanistan’s historic T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, where they reached the semi-finals, demonstrated his tactical acumen beyond his bowling prowess.
His recent appointment as captain for the Asia Cup 2025 underlines his importance to Afghan cricket. With a proven track record in franchise cricket, including successful stints with Gujarat Titans in the IPL and Adelaide Strikers in the BBL, Rashid brings invaluable experience and composure under pressure. His ability to take wickets in the middle overs while containing run flow has made him one of the most sought-after T20 bowlers globally. Leading Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack that also includes Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid will be crucial to Afghanistan’s strategy in both tournaments.
- Muhammad Waseem (UAE)
The 31-year-old opener and UAE captain has been the standout performer for his nation and is currently the highest-ranked UAE batter in ICC T20 rankings. Waseem’s remarkable consistency and leadership qualities were highlighted when he won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for May 2025, following his exceptional performances against Bangladesh.
In that series, he scored 145 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 166.66, including a match-winning 82 off 42 balls that helped UAE secure their first-ever victory over Bangladesh. His 2024 T20 statistics show 186 runs in 6 matches with a high score of 89, demonstrating his ability to anchor innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate of 147.6. Born in Pakistan but representing UAE since meeting residency requirements, Waseem’s experience and aggressive batting style make him the key player for the host nation’s hopes of creating upsets against stronger opposition. His captaincy during UAE’s historic series win over Bangladesh has boosted confidence, and he will be eager to lead from the front on home soil.
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