The UAE T20I Tri-Series is scheduled to start today at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, featuring hosts UAE, alongside Pakistan and Afghanistan. The tournament, which runs from August 29 to September 7, will be a crucial preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. The series will follow a double round-robin format, where each team plays the others twice, with the top two teams advancing to the final on September 7.
The UAE, led by Muhammad Waseem, will look to use their home conditions to their advantage. The squad has a mix of seasoned names and rising talent and under coach Lalchand Rajput they will focus on sharpening their plans ahead of the Asia Cup.
Pakistan enters the series with a fresh-faced side under the leadership of Salman Ali Agha. The selectors have made significant changes, excluding senior players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, as they look to build a squad of power-hitters for the future. The team will be looking to find consistency in their T20I performances.
Afghanistan, who were semi-finalists in the T20 World Cup 2024 , have made significant improvements in their T20 cricket over the years. Led by Rashid Khan, their spin-heavy attack is considered one of the most formidable in the tournament. The series provides an excellent opportunity for the team to continue their ascent in the shortest format of the game.
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.
Also READ: Afghanistan unveils preliminary squad ahead of UAE T20I Tri-Series and Asia Cup 2025
Sharjah Cricket Stadium: T20 Stats and Records
- Total matches: 62
- Matches won batting first: 35
- Matches won bowling first: 27
- Average 1st innings scores: 142
- Average 2nd innings scores: 120
- Highest total recorded: 215/6 (20 Ov) by Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe
- Lowest total recorded: 38/10 (10.4 Ov) by Hong Kong vs Pakistan
- Highest score chased: 206/8 (19.5 Ov) by UAE vs Bangladesh
- Lowest score defended: 119/7 (20 Ov) by Bangladesh Women vs Scotland Women
