Pakistan vs Afghanistan Live Cricket Score

 

Pakistan vs Afghanistan: A Thrilling T20I Final in Sharjah

On September 7, 2025, under the floodlights of Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Pakistan and Afghanistan locked horns in the final of the UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025. Both teams—finishing with identical records of three wins and one loss during the round-robin stage—brought momentum and expectation into this high-stakes clash Lokmat TimesOutlook India.

The Toss and Early Drama

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to set a commanding total on a pitch known for its early assistance to spinners Lokmat TimesOutlook IndiaESPN Cricinfo.

However, Afghanistan drew first blood in dramatic fashion. Fazalhaq Farooqi delivered a perfect in-swinging yorker in the very first over, knocking over Sahibzada Farhan for a golden duck—caught completely off-guard, Pakistan found themselves reeling at 0/1 in 0.3 overs Outlook IndiaNDTV Sports.

The Recovery Begins

Despite the early setback, Pakistan’s innings began to steady. Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman anchored the chase, cautiously finding footing. By the end of the powerplay, they had guided Pakistan to 41/1 in 6 overs, a measured but steady start Outlook India.

Sharjah’s surface continued to challenge, with seam movement surprising many, prompting Rashid Khan to utilize Omarzai early on instead of the usual mystery spinner Ghazanfar The Indian ExpressThe Daily JagranOutlook India.

At 6.5 overs, Pakistan reached 45/1, with Fakhar (23 off 20) leading the momentum and Saim (17 off 18) playing the stabilizer role NDTV Sports.

Afghanistan’s Fightback

But the narrative shifted quickly. Noor Ahmad delivered a double wicket over, dismissing both Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, abruptly breaking the growing Pakistan partnership. Pakistan’s momentum began to stall, now at 61/3 at the 10-over mark during the rain break—an unmistakable momentum shift and a clear sign of Afghanistan clawing their way back NDTV SportsOutlook India.

At the drinks break (around 10 overs), the score read 61/3, with Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan terrorizing the middle order as Pakistan found themselves under heat NDTV Sports.

The Pitch & Conditions

The Sharjah pitch continues to assert itself as a spinner’s paradise as the match progresses. Toss decisions and early bowling rotations have been pivotal all through the series, as the pitch crumbles into the evening session, making batting increasingly difficult The Indian ExpressOutlook India. Dew and turning tracks further tilt the balance toward teams bowling second, adding another strategic layer for both sides Lokmat TimesOutlook India.

Key Highlights (So Far)

• Fazalhaq Farooqi: Set the tone with an early strike, removing Farhan for a duck.

• Saim Ayub & Fakhar Zaman: Rebuilt Pakistan’s innings with composed strokes, but couldn’t carry on.

• Noor Ahmad & Rashid Khan: Brought Afghanistan back with crucial breakthroughs.

• Pitch Behavior: Slow and deteriorating; favors spin as the game advances.

• Strategy Shift: Toss and batting first seems risky—a trait consistently seen in the tournament.

What Lies Ahead

As the match progresses into the middle and death overs, Pakistan’s fate hinges on a few things:

1. Middle-order Resistance – Will Mohammad Nawaz or Salman Agha step up to rebuild another partnership?

2. Finishing Firepower – Pakistan's ability to score strongly in the final overs could still tilt the match.

3. Afghanistan’s Spin Duo – Can Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan sustain their momentum and throttle the scoring?

With both sides evenly matched and conditions progressively favoring bowlers, the final promises a tight, tense finish. Who will prevail when spin rules the day? We’re in for a gripping conclusion.