Pakistan started their UAE T20 Tri-Series campaign with a strong win, defeating Afghanistan by 39 runs in Sharjah on Friday.

 

Chasing a target of 183, Afghanistan were bowled out for 143 runs in 19.3 overs.

 

After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first and posted a competitive total of 182 for 7 in their 20 overs.

 

Captain Salman Ali Agha played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 53 runs off 33 balls, hitting three sixes and three fours. Sahibzada Farhan and Mohammad Nawaz scored 21 runs each whereas Fakhar Zaman added 20 runs. Mohammad Haris contributed 15, Faheem Ashraf and Saim Ayub scored 14 each, and Hasan Nawaz scored 9 before getting out.

 

For Afghanistan, Fareed Ahmad was the most successful bowler with two wickets while Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Azmatullah Omarzai took one wicket each.

 

In response, Afghanistan struggled to chase the target and managed only 143 runs before losing all their wickets in 19.5 overs. Skipper Rashid Khan top-scored with 39 runs followed by Rahmanullah Gurbaz with 38. Sadiqullah scored 23 and Darwish Rasooli added 21, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to make an impact.

 

Haris Rauf starred with the ball for Pakistan, claiming four wickets. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz and Sufiyan Muqeem picked up two wickets each to ensure a comfortable victory for the Men in Green.