Pakistan lifted the tri-series trophy in Sharjah with a convincing 75-run win over Afghanistan, thanks to a magical spell from Mohammad Nawaz. The left-arm spinner produced a five-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, to completely dismantle Afghanistan’s chase. On a surface that heavily favored spin, Pakistan showed better adaptability and walked away with the title.
Spin Takes Center Stage
The final turned into a spin-dominated contest, with almost 30 overs of spin bowled across the game. Afghanistan’s decision to chase 142 backfired as they collapsed to just 66 all out in 15.5 overs. For fans on UC Cricket, it was a reminder of how spin can dictate outcomes in modern T20 cricket.
Early Trouble for Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s chase got off to the worst possible start when Shaheen Afridi dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the opening over. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed added to the pressure by removing Sediqullah Atal in the fifth over. The stage was set for Nawaz, who entered the attack and changed the match completely.
Nawaz’s Hat-Trick Magic
Nawaz struck twice in the sixth over, trapping Darwish Rasooli leg-before and getting Azmatullah Omarzai caught behind. On the first ball of his next over, Ibrahim Zadran was stumped to complete the hat-trick. Afghanistan crumbled to 32/5, and Nawaz’s spell became the turning point of the final.
Ruthless Bowling Performance
Nawaz wasn’t done yet. In the same spell, he dismissed Karim Janat to complete a double-wicket maiden. Later, he removed Rashid Khan to finish with career-best figures of 5/19. With Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed chipping in with two wickets each, Afghanistan’s batting lineup had no escape.
Rashid Khan’s Lone Effort
Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan was the only one who offered resistance, scoring 17 runs. However, even he could not prevent the inevitable collapse. His dismissal in the 13th over summed up Afghanistan’s night, as the team folded to their second-lowest T20I total.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles
Earlier, Pakistan also found batting tricky on a turning pitch. They managed 141/8 in 20 overs, with most runs coming from Fakhar Zaman (27) and Mohammad Nawaz (25). Afghanistan’s spinners, led by Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, kept Pakistan under control but could not stop them from posting a defendable score.
Nawaz’s All-Round Impact
Before shining with the ball, Nawaz played a handy role with the bat. His quick 25 off 21 balls included two sixes that shifted momentum towards Pakistan in the middle overs. Contributions from Faheem Ashraf at the end further pushed the total past the 140-mark, giving the bowlers something to work with.
Afghanistan’s Missed Chance
Afghanistan had a golden opportunity to chase a modest score in a final but fell apart under pressure. Their inability to handle spin remains a concern, despite having some of the best spinners in the world. For readers of UC Cricket, this collapse is another example of Afghanistan’s inconsistency in big games.
Pakistan’s Growing Spin Strength
Pakistan’s victory was not just about Nawaz’s brilliance but also about the rise of other spinners like Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem. Their combined effort showed Pakistan’s depth in spin, which could be crucial in future tournaments. The team’s balance looks stronger with such variety in the bowling attack.
Conclusion: A Trophy Won with Spin
Pakistan’s triumph in Sharjah will be remembered for Mohammad Nawaz’s magical hat-trick and five-for. The match highlighted how spin remains a match-winning weapon even in T20 cricket. For fans following the game through UC Cricket, this was a night where skill, patience, and clever bowling outshined power-hitting.
