Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by 39 runs in the opening match of the T20I Tri-Series, with Salman Agha’s unbeaten fifty and Haris Rauf’s four-wicket haul leading the way for the team
Match Highlights
-
Pakistan chose to bat first and posted a competitive total of 182/7 in their 20 overs, thanks to skipper Salman Agha’s unbeaten 53 off 36 balls, supported by impactful cameos from Mohammad Nawaz (21), Faheem Ashraf (14), and Sahibzada Farhan (21).
-
Afghanistan’s bowlers kept picking wickets at crucial intervals, with Fareed Ahmad (2 wickets) and Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman each claiming a wicket.
-
Chasing 183 for victory, Afghanistan fell short, with pacer Haris Rauf taking four wickets to ensure Pakistan remained in control.
Key Performers
-
Salman Agha: Top scorer for Pakistan with a well-constructed fifty, leading from the front and remaining unbeaten.
-
Haris Rauf: Spearheaded the bowling attack, picking up four wickets and keeping Afghanistan under pressure throughout their chase.
-
Fareed Ahmad (Afghanistan): Picked up two key wickets for his team in the first innings, trying to halt Pakistan’s progress.
Summary Table
| Player | Performance | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Salman Agha | 53* (36 balls) | Pakistan |
| Haris Rauf | 4 wickets | Pakistan |
| Fareed Ahmad | 2 wickets | Afghanistan |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 21 (11 balls) | Pakistan |
Pakistan’s strong batting and bowling ensured a convincing victory to start the series, providing momentum and confidence ahead of upcoming fixtures.
