By Reuters Staff
SHARJAH: Pakistan issued a stern warning ahead of the Asia Cup, crushing Afghanistan by 75 runs in the T20 tri-series final in Sharjah on Sunday, with left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz claiming a hat-trick to dismantle the Afghan batting line-up.
Nawaz, 31, recorded his best T20 International figures of 5-19, bowling out Afghanistan for 66 in 15.5 overs while defending a modest 141-8 on a spin-friendly Sharjah Cricket Stadium pitch. He became only the third Pakistani to take a T20I hat-trick, following Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Hasnain.
The spinner struck decisively, dismissing Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai for ducks off consecutive deliveries before removing Ibrahim Zadran (9) off the first ball of his next over to complete the feat. Nawaz was named player of the match.
“The plan was simple. We knew the pitch was tough for batting and felt we had enough runs,” Nawaz said. “We focused on disciplined bowling, sticking to line and length, and it worked. After my first two balls, I saw spin, so I adjusted my pace, bowling within the stumps and targeting the pads.”
Afghanistan’s 66 was their second-lowest T20I total, behind only their 56 all out against South Africa in last year’s World Cup semi-finals. Only captain Rashid Khan (17) and Sediqullah Atal (13) reached double figures.
Earlier, Pakistan, opting to bat after winning the toss, struggled against Afghanistan’s spinners, reaching 141-8. Fakhar Zaman top-scored with 27, sharing a 49-run second-wicket stand with Saim Ayub (17) after opener Sahibzada Farhan fell for a duck off the third ball. Nawaz chipped in with a 21-ball 25, including two sixes, while captain Salman Ali Agha laboured to 24 off 27 balls.
Rashid, with three wickets, led Afghanistan’s bowling, dismissing Zaman early in his spell and later removing Hasan Nawaz (15) and Agha, who struck two sixes off the Afghan captain.
Agha said the total was defendable given the conditions. “On this wicket, 130-140 was always challenging. Once we got there, we knew it would be tough for them,” he said.
He praised Nawaz’s reliability: “Since his comeback, Nawaz has been outstanding across all departments. He’s my go-to guy in tough situations. Fans and ex-cricketers often ask why we don’t play two spinners. We pick based on conditions, and today it paid off.” “We aimed to prepare well for the Asia Cup, and we’ve done that. Since the Bangladesh home series, we’ve been in great form and are fully ready.”
Afghanistan’s chase unravelled early, with five wickets falling in the powerplay. Rashid admitted the early collapse was costly. “It was a chaseable total, but we didn’t play our brand of cricket. Losing five wickets in the powerplay made recovery nearly impossible,” he said.
Afghanistan now shift focus to the Asia Cup, facing Hong Kong in their Group B opener in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, alongside Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Pakistan, in Group A, will take on India, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
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