Afghanistan Spinners Choke Pakistan to Seal 17-Run Win in Sharjah

A masterclass in spin bowling from Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Noor Ahmad powered Afghanistan to a 17-run win over Pakistan in the UAE T20I Tri-series on Tuesday. The victory avenged their opening defeat to their neighbours and brought them level on points with two wins and a loss apiece.

Afghanistan players celebrate a wicket. @ Afghanistan Cricket Board

Atal-Zadran Stand Lays the Platform

Electing to bat, Afghanistan recovered from the early dismissal of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (8) through a sparkling 112-run stand between Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran. Atal struck 64 off 45 balls, peppered with three fours and three sixes, while Zadran top-scored with a composed 65 off 45. The pair lifted Afghanistan to 123/1 by the 16th over before quick wickets checked their momentum, leaving them at what seemed a modest 169/5.

Zadran, later adjudged Player of the Match, credited his approach to patience and partnerships

I have an idea of how to set the game and build a partnership. Just trying to keep it simple — rotate strike, target one bowler at a time. We’ve been playing together since 2020 and the U-19 World Cup, so the understanding is there.

Skipper Rashid Khan was quick to praise his young batters.

“Two great players, just the beginning for them. The way they’re taking responsibility and reading conditions, it’s impressive. If we keep wickets, we can score maximum runs — and they showed that,” Rashid noted.

Pakistan’s Chase Falters

Faheem Ashraf’s 4-27 had given Pakistan hope of restricting Afghanistan further, but their chase never truly ignited. Fazalhaq Farooqi (2-21) set the tone with early strikes, dismissing openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan in the powerplay. From there, the Afghan spinners took over — Rashid Khan (2-30), Mohammad Nabi (2-20), and Noor Ahmad (2-20) strangled Pakistan’s middle order.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha admitted his side faltered at the crucial phase.

I think 170 was gettable. The bowlers did well, but we lost too many wickets in the middle overs. Against quality spinners like these, if you give them a sniff, they’ll grab it. That’s where we lost the game.

Haris Rauf’s Late Fightback in Vain

The margin of defeat could have been wider but for Haris Rauf’s late fireworks. Coming in at No. 9, he smashed an unbeaten 34 off 15 balls with four sixes, two of them in the final over, in a record 10th-wicket stand of 40 with Sufiyan Muqeem (7*). Even so, Pakistan could only muster 151/9, falling short by 17 runs.

Rashid Khan revealed that Afghanistan’s rotation of spinners was part of a deliberate strategy.

That’s a kind of tactic. We have the bench strength. Whoever gets the opportunity can do the job. We decide based on the opposition and conditions. Noor and Ghazanfar were effective today, and I’m pleased with the way they bowled.

Brief Scores: Afghanistan 169/5 in 20 overs (Sediqullah Atal 64, Ibrahim Zadran 65; Faheem Ashraf 4-27) Pakistan 151/9 in 20 overs (Haris Rauf 34*; Fazalhaq Farooqi 2-21, Mohammad Nabi 2-20, Noor Ahmad 2-20, Rashid Khan 2-30) Afghanistan won by 17 runs.