Pakistan and Afghanistan are set to lock horns in the final of the UAE T20I Tri-Series on Sunday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah. With both teams in commanding form throughout the series, the stage is set for a mouth-watering showdown that will serve as a crucial dress rehearsal ahead of the Asia Cup, which kicks off on September 9.
Pakistan have displayed their aggression and skill in all departments. Their top order has fired consistently, while the bowling unit—spearheaded by Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi—has played a big role. Afghanistan, on the other hand, have been incredibly challenging, combining clinical execution with calm-headed leadership. Meanwhile, both sides come into Sunday’s final with huge momentum. Afghanistan edged out the UAE in a nail-biting affair earlier this week, while Pakistan cruised to a dominant win over the hosts in their last game. Notably, earlier in the series, Afghanistan beat Pakistan by 18 runs, limiting Pakistan to 151 in their chase of 169.
Head-to-head
Matches - 9
PAK won - 5
AFG won - 4
Pakistan likely XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem.
Afghanistan likely XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik.