Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by 75 runs in Sharjah to claim the Tri-Series title, powered by an outstanding all-round display from Mohammad Nawaz. Chasing a modest target of 142, Afghanistan were bundled out for 66 as Nawaz took a hat-trick and finished with 5 for 19 in four overs.
Batting first, Pakistan managed 141 for 8, but struggled against Afghanistan’s spin attack. No Pakistani batter reached 30, with Fakhar Zaman top-scoring on 27. Mohammad Nawaz contributed 25 with the bat, captain Salman Ali Agha made 24 — including two sixes in one over off Rashid Khan — while Saim Ayub and Faheem Ashraf added 17 and 15 respectively.
Afghanistan’s bowlers had earlier made inroads, with Rashid Khan taking 3 for 38 and spinner Noor Ahmad and pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi claiming two wickets apiece. Their attack kept Pakistan under pressure, preventing any big individual scores.
In the chase, Afghanistan collapsed dramatically. Nine batters failed to reach double figures; only captain Rashid Khan (17) and Sediqullah Atal (13) offered any real resistance, while Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah and Karim Janat were dismissed without scoring.
Nawaz’s bowling proved decisive. His four-over spell that included a hat-trick ripped through the Afghan lineup and sparked the collapse that secured Pakistan’s comprehensive win. For his match-winning contribution with both bat and ball, Nawaz was named Player of the Match as Pakistan lifted the Tri-Series trophy.
