Pakistan vs Afghanistan 2025 Match Final Commentary | Ball-by-Ball Cricket Commentary

Pakistan vs Afghanistan Commentary

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Pakistan vs Afghanistan Commentary

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PAK • 1st innings

141/8

AFG • 2nd innings

66/10

All

Overs

15.1

Sufiyan Muqeem to Fazalhaq Farooqi

Tossed up, full and on middle, Fazalhaq Farooqi bunts it back towards the bowler.

15.2

Sufiyan Muqeem to Fazalhaq Farooqi

Wrong'un, short and around off, Fazalhaq Farooqi offers no shot at it.

15.3

Sufiyan Muqeem to Fazalhaq Farooqi

Flighted, full and on off, turns away, Fazalhaq Farooqi goes for the drive but misses. Mohammad Haris, the keeper, also lets it through for a bye.

15.4

Sufiyan Muqeem to Allah Mohammad

Floated, full and on middle, Allah Mohammad drills it hard back towards the bowler. Sufiyan Muqeem gets down well in his followthrough to stop it.

15.5

Sufiyan Muqeem to Allah Mohammad

OUT! GONE! CAUGHT! Pakistan have absolutely decimated Afghanistan in the final. Muqueem bowls it flat and just outside off, a googly it seems, off the hand. The ball skids through the surface and arrives quicker than Allah Mohammad would have anticipated. Swings his bat wildly at it, to hit it over the off side, but gets a thick outside edge and the ball travels flat towards Abrar Ahmed who is stationed at short third. Abrar just crouches low and takes the catch around the chest. Sufiyan Muqeem finishes off with 2 wickets to his name. And with that, PAKISTAN WIN THE TRI-SERIES IN THE UAE BY 75 RUNS!

14.1

Abrar Ahmed to Fazalhaq Farooqi

A googly, full and on off, turns in, Fazalhaq Farooqi prods forward and just about blocks it out.

14.2

Abrar Ahmed to Fazalhaq Farooqi

Floated, full and around off, Fazalhaq Farooqi leaves it alone.

14.3

Abrar Ahmed to Fazalhaq Farooqi

Goes a bit short and on off, Fazalhaq Farooqi just keeps it out towards point. No real intent to score runs here.

14.4

Abrar Ahmed to Fazalhaq Farooqi

Slows it up, full and on off, Fazalhaq Farooqi strides out to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

14.5

Abrar Ahmed to Fazalhaq Farooqi

Looped up, full and on middle, Fazalhaq Farooqi knocks it down the pitch.

14.6

Abrar Ahmed to Fazalhaq Farooqi

Drags his length back and around off, Fazalhaq Farooqi drags it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Till Now Score: 65/9

(15 Overs)

F Farooqi

2(8)

A Mohammad

7(5)

A Ahmed

4-0-17-2

Over 15 ·65 Runs

13.1

Sufiyan Muqeem to Noor Ahmad

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Just the final rites being read now. Muqeem too, joins the wicket-taking bandwagon for Pakistan! He keeps it slow, full and just outside the off stump line. Noor Ahmad without much footwork, tries to go for a big-booming golfer's swing, to sail it over long off. Only manages to slice it off the toe end of the bat. The ball sails over backward point and Sufiyan's spin mate, Abrar Ahmed, takes a good running catch to his left.

13.2

Sufiyan Muqeem to Fazalhaq Farooqi

Tossed up, full and on off, Fazalhaq Farooqi steers it to point.

13.3

Sufiyan Muqeem to Fazalhaq Farooqi

Goes a bit short and on leg, Fazalhaq Farooqi nudges it through square leg for a single.

13.4

Sufiyan Muqeem to Allah Mohammad

Much quicker, shortish and on middle and leg, Allah Mohammad tries to clip it away but ends up miscuing it to the right of the bowler.

13.5

Sufiyan Muqeem to Allah Mohammad

SIX! WALLOP! Short delivery, on the bodyline, spinning in. Allah Mohammad reads the length early, gets into a good position and pulls it behind deep square leg for a six. Actually, it went quite a fair distance as well.

13.6

Sufiyan Muqeem to Allah Mohammad

Darts one, full and outside off, Allah Mohammad slashes at it with force but fails to connect.

Till Now Score: 64/9

(14 Overs)

A Mohammad

7(5)

F Farooqi

1(2)

S Muqeem

2-0-9-1

Over 14 ·64 Runs

12.1

Mohammad Nawaz to Rashid Khan

SIX! PUNISHED! Around off, short in length, spinning away. Rashid Khan hangs back and with a flat bat, smashes it over long on for a huge six.

12.2

Mohammad Nawaz to Rashid Khan

OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND GONE! All going Pakistan's way in the finale! Nawaz is smart as he dishes out a flighted delivery, on a tad fuller length this time. But on this occasion, he keeps the ball well away from the batter's reach, and invites Rashid to go big on the flight. Rashid falls prey on the flight. Takes a good stride forward and tries to hoist it over long off, but due to the ball holding and gripping off the deck, he mistimes it and slices it high up, just over the cover region. Now, this should have been a straightforward catch for Salman Agha stationed at cover, but Mohammad Haris rushes forward and there is a late call from Salman for the catch, but Haris keeps running. They both collide, but somehow, Salman maintains his cool and takes it despite colliding with the keeper. Both seem to be in some pain but eventually get on their feet. Mohammad Nawaz has his five-for and what a sensational spell of bowling this has been from him. Rashid Khan departs 17 (18) and Afghanistan are 55/8.

12.3

Mohammad Nawaz to Allah Mohammad

UPPISH BUT SAFE! Flighted, full and around off, turns away, Allah Mohammad goes after it to slog it away but ends up slicing it high in the air. However, luckily for him, it lands well in front of the long off fielder. They cross.

12.4

Mohammad Nawaz to Noor Ahmad

Quicker, short and on off, Noor Ahmad stays back and steers it to point.

12.5

Mohammad Nawaz to Noor Ahmad

Dragged back, on off, Noor Ahmad punches it through covers for one.

12.6

Mohammad Nawaz to Allah Mohammad

End of an exceptional spell of bowling from Mohammad Nawaz! Looped up, full and just outside off, Allah Mohammad throws his bat at it but fails to connect. He finishes with incredible figures of 4-1-19-5.

Till Now Score: 57/8

(13 Overs)

A Mohammad

1(2)

N Ahmad

3(5)

M Nawaz

4-1-19-5

Over 13 ·57 Runs

11.1

Sufiyan Muqeem to Noor Ahmad

Gets turn and bounce right away! Floated, short and on middle and leg, turns in sharply, Noor Ahmad nudges it off his hips through square leg for a single.

11.2

Sufiyan Muqeem to Rashid Khan

Goes short again and around off, Rashid Khan cuts it but fails to beat point.

11.3

Sufiyan Muqeem to Rashid Khan

Flatter, dragged back, on middle, Rashid Khan moves across but gets cramped up for him fails to tuck it away.

11.4

Sufiyan Muqeem to Rashid Khan

Another shortish delivery, spinning in sharply, Rashid Khan fails to read it and takes a blow around his thighs.

11.5

Sufiyan Muqeem to Rashid Khan

Flatter, short and outside off, skids through, Rashid Khan fails to cut it away. He is not happy with himself.

11.6

Sufiyan Muqeem to Rashid Khan

Flatter, full and on middle, Rashid Khan tucks it away through mid-wicket for one.

Till Now Score: 49/7

(12 Overs)

R Khan

11(16)

N Ahmad

2(3)

S Muqeem

1-0-2-0

Over 12 ·49 Runs

10.1

Abrar Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi

Full, outside off, defended towards the off side.

10.2

Abrar Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi

Down the leg side, the googly, Nabi looks to flick but misses. The ball runs fine off his pads, through short fine leg and the batters get a couple of leg byes.

10.3

Abrar Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi

Another massive shout for LBW, but turned down. This probably pitched outside leg and caught Nabi in his crease as he looked to flick. Also, he was hit high on the pads, so height would have been a factor as well.

10.4

Abrar Ahmed to Mohammad Nabi

OUT! CAUGHT! That should be the final straw. Landed outside off, Mohammad Nabi backs away to the leg side and looks to force this through the covers. But he does not keep it down and hits it straight to Salman Agha at cover. Nabi departs for 3 (10) and Afghanistan are 46/7, needing another 96 from 56 balls! It is all upto Rashid Khan now, whether he can do a Glenn Maxwell or not.

10.5

Abrar Ahmed to Noor Ahmad

Shorter in length and on off, Noor Ahmad stabs it out to covers.

10.6

Abrar Ahmed to Noor Ahmad

Wrong'un, full and around off, Noor Ahmad reaches out and carves it to sweeper covers for one.

Till Now Score: 47/7

(11 Overs)

N Ahmad

1(2)

R Khan

10(11)

A Ahmed

3-0-16-2

Over 11 ·47 Runs

9.1

Mohammad Nawaz to Rashid Khan

A short ball, outside off, Rashid goes for the cut and ends up slicing it. The ball goes in the air but lands short of backward point.

9.2

Mohammad Nawaz to Rashid Khan

SIX! Finally, he connects! Tossed up, outside off, Rashid Khan jumps down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it with finesse over extra cover!

9.3

Mohammad Nawaz to Rashid Khan

Comes down the track and works it through mid on for a run.

9.4

Mohammad Nawaz to Mohammad Nabi

A short ball, around middle, tucked through mid-wicket for one.

9.5

Mohammad Nawaz to Rashid Khan

Thrown up wide outside off, RK backs away to the leg side and then has to reach out to slap, but mistimes it off the toe end of the bat, towards cover.

9.6

Mohammad Nawaz to Rashid Khan

Short and wide outside off, turning away, the skipper eases it to deep point. Should have been a single but the fielder misfields and it will be an extra run. Two in total.

Till Now Score: 44/6

(10 Overs)

R Khan

10(11)

M Nabi

3(6)

M Nawaz

3-1-11-4

Over 10 ·44 Runs

8.1

Saim Ayub to Mohammad Nabi

Landed outside off, eased through the covers for a single.

8.2

Saim Ayub to Rashid Khan

Landed outside off again, comes in and bounces as well. Rashid looks to nudge it away but misses and is hit on the glove.

8.3

Saim Ayub to Rashid Khan

Tossed up, outside off, Rashid has a mighty swing inside out, but misses.

8.4

Saim Ayub to Rashid Khan

A touch short, around off, blocked back.

8.5

Saim Ayub to Rashid Khan

IN THE AIR.. JUST WIDE! Floated, outside off, Khan looks to go inside out again and this time, though he connects, miscues it big time. The ball goes high in the air, but just about eludes cover running back. Single taken.

8.6

Saim Ayub to Mohammad Nabi

Around off, punched straight to cover.

Till Now Score: 34/6

(9 Overs)

M Nabi

2(5)

R Khan

1(6)

S Ayub

3-0-10-0

Over 9 ·34 Runs

7.1

Mohammad Nawaz to Ibrahim Zadran

OUT! STUMPED! HAT-TRICK FOR MOHAMMAD NAWAZ! Becomes the third bowler after Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Hasnain and first spinner from Pakistan to take a hat-trick in T20Is! Flighted, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran lunges to defend but the ball pitches and spins away, past the outside edge. The keeper, Mohammad Haris, collects and straightaway starts to appeal and celebrate. Nearly half the Pakistan side is at the umpire, appealing for the caught behind, but he calmly shakes his head. But here comes another twist. After collecting the ball, Haris has actually dislodged the bails and appealed for a stumping as well! The square leg umpire refers it upstairs and the side-on angle, from the off side, shows that Ibrahim's foot is outside the crease! History for Nawaz as Ibrahim Zadran departs for 9 (15) and Afghanistan are 32/5, needing another 110 from 77 balls!

7.2

Mohammad Nawaz to Karim Janat

Around middle and leg, clipped towards short mid-wicket.

7.3

Mohammad Nawaz to Karim Janat

Very full, outside off, squeezed out.

7.4

Mohammad Nawaz to Karim Janat

OUT! LBW! And Nawaz has 4 wickets in just 10 balls! Tossed up delivery, around middle and off, Karim Janat goes for the sweep but misses and is hit right in front of the sticks. That was a dead duck and the umpire raises his finger immediately on the appeal! Third duck in the innings and Afghanistan are 32/6, needing another 110 from 74 balls!

7.5

Mohammad Nawaz to Rashid Khan

Landed outside off, spinning away, Rashid Khan pushes but misses.

7.6

Mohammad Nawaz to Rashid Khan

A touch short, around middle, Rashid looks to tuck it away but misses and is hit on the pads. Nawaz starts to appeal but then gives it up. DOUBLE-WICKET MAIDEN!

Till Now Score: 32/6

(8 Overs)

R Khan

0(2)

M Nabi

1(3)

M Nawaz

2-1-1-4

Over 8 ·32 Runs

6.1

Saim Ayub to Ibrahim Zadran

Around off, punched towards cover.

6.2

Saim Ayub to Ibrahim Zadran

Around middle and leg, punched down to long on for a single.

6.3

Saim Ayub to Mohammad Nabi

Around off, blocked to the leg side.

6.4

Saim Ayub to Mohammad Nabi

Around off, Mohammad Nabi pushes it towards cover-point.

6.5

Saim Ayub to Mohammad Nabi

Landed outside off, hint of away drift, Nabi eases this through point for a run.

6.6

Saim Ayub to Ibrahim Zadran

Full, outside off, Ibrahim pushes it towards point for one.

Till Now Score: 32/4

(7 Overs)

I Zadran

9(14)

M Nabi

1(3)

S Ayub

2-0-8-0

Over 7 ·32 Runs

5.1

Mohammad Nawaz to Ibrahim Zadran

Full, around middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran looks to play it straight but gets a thick inside edge towards the vacant short leg region.

5.2

Mohammad Nawaz to Ibrahim Zadran

DROPPED! Quicker and shorter, outside off, Ibrahim looks to punch it through the off side but does not move his feet. Gets a thick outside edge which shoots quickly onto the pads of the keeper, who is unable to collect. The batters take a single off the deflection.

5.3

Mohammad Nawaz to Darwish Rasooli

Slower through the air, pitching around off and spinning away, Zadran pushes but misses.

5.4

Mohammad Nawaz to Darwish Rasooli

Full, on middle and leg, defended back to the bowler.

5.5

Mohammad Nawaz to Darwish Rasooli

OUT! LBW! This is turning out to be a 'power-less' play for Afghanistan! Beautifully bowled by Nawaz, from around the wicket, using a wide angle and starting to flight the ball from around leg stump. The ball pitches and then straightens, to catch the batter in his crease as he comes half forward to flick. He misses and is hit right in front of the stumps. Nawaz appeals for LBW and the umpire thinks for a while, primarily regarding the pitching of the ball. Eventually, he concludes that the ball pitched in line and raises his finger! Rasooli departs for 0 (5) and Afghanistan are 29/3, needing another 113 from 85 balls!

5.6

Mohammad Nawaz to Azmatullah Omarzai

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Two in two for Mohammad Nawaz! Afghanistan are derailing pretty early in this chase here. Quicker and shorter, outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai goes back for the cut but only manages a thick outside edge. The keeper, Mohammad Haris, is pretty efficient and takes a sharp catch and immediately starts to celebrate. This time, the umpire raises his finger straightaway and that is the second duck of the innings! Afghanistan end their Powerplay on 29/4!

Till Now Score: 29/4

(6 Overs)

A Omarzai

0(1)

I Zadran

7(11)

M Nawaz

1-0-1-2

Over 6 ·29 Runs

4.1

Abrar Ahmed to Ibrahim Zadran

Landed outside off, Ibrahim Zadran has a wild swing, but misses.

4.2

1WD

Abrar Ahmed to Ibrahim Zadran

WIDE. But that was massive turn. Landed outside off, Ibrahim looks to tickle it fine but the ball spins massively from outside off, to way down the leg side, beating his flick.

4.2

Abrar Ahmed to Ibrahim Zadran

Around off, Zadran pushes it towards point for a single.

4.3

Abrar Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal

FOUR! Up and over! A leg spinner, outside off, Sediqullah Atal comes down the track, is not to the pitch of the ball but still, goes through with his slog. Gets it off the inner half of the bat and manages to get it in the vacant area near mid-wicket. The ball races away towards the ropes and two fielders track it down - Faheem Ashraf from deep square leg and Shaheen Afridi from wide long on. In the end, Afridi dives to try and stop the ball but takes it with him into the ropes.

4.4

Abrar Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal

OUT! CAUGHT! That's such a tame dismissal. Almost a replica of the way Saim Ayub got out earlier in the match, against Noor. A touch short of full, outside off, Atal looks to ease this through the off side, but neither does the drive go in the gap, nor is it hit aerially over the fielders. It ends up going straight to Faheem Ashraf at cover, who takes the dolly. Atal departs for 13 (15) and Afghanistan are 28/2, needing another 114 from 92 balls!

4.5

Abrar Ahmed to Darwish Rasooli

The googly, around off, solidly defended.

4.6

Abrar Ahmed to Darwish Rasooli

A touch short, around middle and off, worked towards mid on. 6 runs from the over, but a wicket as well.

Till Now Score: 28/2

(5 Overs)

D Rasooli

0(2)

I Zadran

6(9)

A Ahmed

2-0-15-1

Over 5 ·28 Runs

1WD

3.1

Saim Ayub to Ibrahim Zadran

Short, around middle, tucked towards short mid-wicket.

3.2

Saim Ayub to Ibrahim Zadran

Outside off, pushed towards short cover.

3.3

Saim Ayub to Ibrahim Zadran

Down the leg side, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

3.4

Saim Ayub to Sediqullah Atal

Short, outside off, Sediqullah Atal punches it away but finds cover.

3.5

Saim Ayub to Sediqullah Atal

FOUR! Was that a chance? Short, around middle, Atal quickly swivels onto his back foot and pulls it aerially. Hasan Nawaz charges in to his left from deep mid-wicket but the ball dips onto him, lands just in front of him and unfortunately for the fielder, goes past his body into the ropes behind.

3.6

Saim Ayub to Sediqullah Atal

A ripper to end the over! Landed around middle and leg, Sediqullah stays back to defend but the ball pitches, straightens, beats the outside edge and just goes over the top of the stumps!

Till Now Score: 22/1

(4 Overs)

S Atal

9(13)

I Zadran

5(7)

S Ayub

1-0-5-0

Over 4 ·22 Runs

2.1

Shaheen Afridi to Ibrahim Zadran

Another quick single! A short ball, around middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran dabs it towards square leg and hares off for the single.

2.2

Shaheen Afridi to Sediqullah Atal

Around off, much fuller, pushed towards cover.

2.3

Shaheen Afridi to Sediqullah Atal

Outside off, Atal slashes hard but misses.

2.4

Shaheen Afridi to Sediqullah Atal

A low full toss, outside off, Sediqullah Atal looks to steer it towards point but the ball hits the inner half of his bat and bounces just past the stumps!

2.5

Shaheen Afridi to Sediqullah Atal

The cutter now, around middle and off, Atal is late in picking the change in pace and plays late. But manages to push it back down the ground.

2.6

Shaheen Afridi to Sediqullah Atal

Massive appeal for caught behind! Not out, says the umpire! On a good length, outside off, Sediqullah Atal pokes at it but the ball moves away viciously after pitching. Seems like it hit something and Afridi starts to celebrate but the umpire is firm and shakes his head, when Pakistan appeal for the catch.

Till Now Score: 17/1

(3 Overs)

S Atal

5(10)

I Zadran

4(4)

S Afridi

2-0-7-1

Over 3 ·17 Runs

1.1

Abrar Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal

Down the leg side, Atal cannot get his flick away, getting hit on the pads instead.

1.2

1WD

Abrar Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal

WIDE. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.

1.2

Abrar Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal

Dropped short now, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

1.3

Abrar Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal

Shortish, on middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal works it towards Hasan Nawaz at deep mid-wicket. Should have been just a single but Nawaz' foot gets stuck in the grass and he stumbles. That allows the opportunity for the second.

1.4

Abrar Ahmed to Sediqullah Atal

Outside off, nudged towards short fine leg for a quick single. 129 more needed from 110 balls.

1.5

Abrar Ahmed to Ibrahim Zadran

Full, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran watchfully pushes it towards point.

1.6

Abrar Ahmed to Ibrahim Zadran

Too short, outside off, Ibrahim goes back and punches it through the covers. The fielder runs after the ball from cover, gets to the ball, but stumbles while picking it up. That allows the third run to be taken.

Till Now Score: 16/1

(2 Overs)

I Zadran

3(3)

S Atal

5(5)

A Ahmed

1-0-9-0

Over 2 ·16 Runs

1WD

Ibrahim Zadran walks in next, at number 3, replacing Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

That was a mixed over from Afridi. He started off poorly, unable to control his line or length but towards the end of the over, found his mark. Meanwhile, in Southampton, England have crushed South Africa by a whopping 342 runs in the 3rd ODI, bowling out the Proteas for just 72 after making 414. It was a total off day for the rainbow nation with only 3 batters manging to reach double digits. Jofra Archer bowled with steam to pick up 4 wickets while Adil Rashid took 3. Talking about spin, here's Abrar Ahmed.

The lowest total defended successfully in a T20I in Sharjah is 132. That was by Afghanistan themselves, against Scotland. way back in 2013. But that was in a day-night game. In a night game, the lowest total defended successfully in Sharjah is 149, by Kenya, against Afghanistan, also in 2013. So either way, one record is going to be broken tonight - either Pakistan will end up defending the lowest first innings total in Sharjah in a night game, or the run of teams batting first and winning the match in this series will be stopped.

Afghanistan need 125 in 102 balls. Pakistan scored 125 in their last 102 as well. Here's Saim Ayub.

After 4 overs, Afghanistan are 22/1. At the same stage, Pakistan were 19/1. Change of ends for Abrar Ahmed.

Darwish Rasooli walks in next, at number 4, replacing Sediqullah Atal.

Afghanistan need 114 in 90 balls. Pakistan scored 109 in their last 90. Mohammad Nawaz will bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

Azmatullah Omarzai walks in next, at number 5, replacing Darwish Rasooli.

Mohammad Nabi walks in next, at number 6, replacing Azmatullah Omarzai. Saim Ayub returns as well. 1-0-5-0 so far.

Is that a hattrick? Is that a hattrick? Pakistan appeal loudly for caught behind but it is denied. However, the square leg umpire is checking for the stumping now. Referred upstairs. Oh dear... the foot is out of the crease!

Karim Janat walks in next, at number 7, replacing Ibrahim Zadran.

Skipper Rashid Khan walks in next, at number 8, replacing Karim Janat.

After 8 overs, Afghanistan are 32/6. At the same stage, Pakistan were 50/2.

Afghanistan need 108 from 66 balls. Pakistan scored 83 in their last 66.

DRINKS BREAK. Phew. Let's take a pause, shall we? What on earth is happening? If we thought South Africa getting bowled out for 72 batting just a shade over their 20 overs in an ODI was bad enough, this is a nightmarish scenario for the Afghans. Yes, batting second was supposed to be difficult here but this is way beyond their expectation. They have tried to hang in but just not been able to read Pakistan's spinners. Be it the leg spin of Abrar Ahmed, or the off spin of Saim Ayub or the left-arm spin of Mohammad Nawaz - they have just been bamboozled against all three styles of spin. With 98 runs needed from 60 balls, in a T20I scenario, it seems to be definitely gettable. But on this pitch and these conditions, seems to be too big an ask. Still, if the Afghans can manage one good partnership, you never know. At the same stage, Pakistan were 61/3, so the Afghans are not a million runs behind. Abrar Ahmed is back on. 2-0-15-1 so far.

Noor Ahmad walks in next, at number 9, replacing Mohammad Nabi.

Afghanistan need 95 in 54 balls. Pakistan scored 71 in their last 54. Here comes spinner number 4 - left-arm wrist spinner - Sufiyan Muqeem.

After 12 overs, Afghanistan are 49/7. At the same stage, Pakistan were 76/5. Mohammad Nawaz to bowl out now. 3-1-11-4 so far. Can he get a 5-fer?

Allah Mohammad walks in next, at number 10, replacing his skipper, Rashid Khan.

Fazalhaq Farooqi is the last man in, replacing Noor Ahmad.

Can't Nawaz bowl another? Sadly, as per the rules of T20 cricket, a bowler is allotted only 4 overs in a spell. So Mohammad Nawaz is done for this match and tournament. What a bowling display. Abrar Ahmed returns. 3-0-16-2 so far.

So that ends a very one-sided final, totally against the odds, which had predicted an exciting tussle between two really good teams. But come the big day, Pakistan were too good for their opponents. Afghanistan might put it down to inexperience but they need to develop their mental fortitude sooner or later. This was the final series before the Asia Cup, which kicks off on Tuesday, 9th September, 2025. Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh come in on the verge of wins while Afghanistan and UAE have had a series to remember and will hope that they put in a better display come the bigger tournament. That's all we have for you from this match and series. Afghanistan don't have time for too much thinking as they are forced to have a quick turnaround. They inaugurate the 2025 Asia Cup against Hong Kong, China in Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday, 9th September, 2025. It will be interesting to see what kind of pitches are dished out in that tournament. The first ball will be bowled at 2.30 pm GMT but our buildup will begin well in advance. So do tune in early. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

0.1

1WD

Shaheen Afridi to Rahmanullah Gurbaz

WIDE. Loose from Shaheen but a bit of swing on offer. The radar is offline, as the ball lands outside leg stump and swings further down, past the attempted flick of Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Good diving take by the keeper, Mohammad Haris, flinging himself to his left.

0.1

Shaheen Afridi to Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Around middle and leg, Gurbaz is straightaway down the track. Afridi shortens the length and cramps the batter for room but Gurbaz does well to tap it towards point and pinch a quick single.

0.2

Shaheen Afridi to Sediqullah Atal

Down the leg side, short in length, Sediqullah Atal misses his clip and the ball runs off his thighs towards square leg. A leg bye taken. 139 more needed from 118 balls.

0.3

Shaheen Afridi to Rahmanullah Gurbaz

FOUR! The first boundary of the chase! But that should have been stopped. Full, on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks it through mid-wicket. Faheem Ashraf gives it a good chase from deep backward square leg and even gets to the ball with a slide to his left. However, while trying to flick the ball back in, he just misses it and the ball meets the ropes!

0.4

Shaheen Afridi to Rahmanullah Gurbaz

On a length, around off, seaming away, Rahmanullah pushes but misses.

0.5

Shaheen Afridi to Rahmanullah Gurbaz

OUT! CAUGHT! Ohhh.. that is just catching practice. On a length, outside off, angling away, Rahmanullah Gurbaz actually plays a nothing shot. He wants to steer it towards deep third but perhaps forgets that Pakistan have kept a slip in place. Ends up guiding it straight to Sahibzada Farhan at wide first slip and he makes no mistake. Gurbaz departs for 5 (4) and Afghanistan are 7/1, needing another 135 from 115 balls!

0.6

Shaheen Afridi to Ibrahim Zadran

On a length, around off, Ibrahim Zadran defends solidly. 7 runs but a wicket as well from the opening over!

Till Now Score: 7/1

(1 Overs)

I Zadran

0(1)

S Atal

0(1)

S Afridi

1-0-6-1

Over 1 ·7 Runs

1WD