Sharjah, September 1, 2025 – Afghanistan registered a commanding victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the third match of the T20I tri-series, winning by 38 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
This triumph not only kept Afghanistan alive in the tournament but also placed the UAE in a must-win situation for their remaining fixtures.
Batting first, Afghanistan posted an imposing total of 188 for four in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by solid half-centuries from Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran, who combined elegance with power to frustrate the UAE bowlers. Azmatullah Omarzai and Karim Janat provided the late flourish, scoring quick runs in the final overs and pushing the score well beyond the par total.
Chasing 189 for victory, the UAE began in explosive fashion. Skipper Muhammad Waseem led the charge, racing to a fifty off just 25 balls, with Rahul Chopra providing key support at the other end. At the six-over mark, the hosts were comfortably ahead of Afghanistan’s Powerplay score, giving their fans hope of an upset.
However, the momentum shifted sharply when Waseem’s dismissal triggered a batting collapse. The UAE tumbled from a strong position of 90 for two to a precarious 122 for eight, losing wickets in clusters as Afghanistan’s bowlers tightened their grip. Despite Chopra’s valiant unbeaten knock of 52, the lack of lower-order resistance left the chase in tatters, with the team finishing at 150 for eight in their 20 overs.
This result marks a strong comeback for Afghanistan after a mixed start to the tri-series. The final phase of the tournament promises intense battles as teams vie for a spot in the decider, with Afghanistan now looking well-positioned to advance.