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.
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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.
