Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf stole the show with a four-wicket haul, guiding his team to a 39-run victory over Afghanistan in the opening match of the T20I tri-series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Skipper Salman Agha complemented the bowling performance with an unbeaten 53, helping Pakistan post a defendable total of 182-7 in 20 overs.
Electing to bat first, Pakistan started brightly but lost early wickets, including Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub. Agha came to the crease when the score was 83-4 and anchored the innings with calm authority. He struck three sixes and three boundaries off 36 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz added a quickfire 21 off 11 deliveries. The duo put together a 51-run partnership in the final five overs, pushing Pakistan to a competitive total. Opener Sahibzada Farhan had earlier contributed 21 off 10 balls.
Afghanistan began their chase strongly, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz scoring 38 off 27 balls and Sediqullah Atal adding 23. Rashid Khan counter-attacked with a whirlwind 39 off just 16 balls, hitting five sixes and a four. At 85-2 after ten overs, Afghanistan looked well-placed. However, Rauf’s devastating middle-overs spell, including a two-wicket maiden in the 12th over, triggered a dramatic collapse. Brad wickets from Shaheen Afridi and Sufiyan Muqeem compounded the pressure, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 99-7 by the 15th over. Afghanistan eventually finished on 143-9 in 19.5 overs.
Rauf finished with figures of 4-31 from 3.5 overs, while Afridi took 2-21. Spinners Mohammad Nawaz and Sufiyan Muqeem claimed two wickets each, ensuring Pakistan’s victory in front of a packed 16,000-strong crowd.
Pakistan will next face hosts United Arab Emirates on Saturday. All three teams will play each other twice, with the top two advancing to the final on 7 September.