The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline reflects one of modern cricket’s most intriguing rivalries. What began as a one-sided contest has evolved into competitive, high-stakes encounters across formats. Pakistan long held the upper hand, but Afghanistan’s rise—powered by world-class spin and growing batting depth—has produced memorable upsets and close finishes.
Fans tracking Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Matches, scorecards, and player performances find particular interest in the latest chapter: the final of the United Arab Emirates T20I Tri-Series on 7 September 2025 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Pakistan defended a modest total of 141/8 to bowl Afghanistan out for 66 and win by 75 runs, clinching the series title. Mohammad Nawaz’s 5/19, including a hat-trick, proved decisive.
Match Context / Previous Meetings
The first official international meeting came on 10 February 2012 in an ODI at Sharjah, where Pakistan won by seven wickets. The first T20I followed on 8 December 2013, also at Sharjah, with Pakistan prevailing by six wickets.
Pakistan dominated early exchanges. Afghanistan’s breakthrough arrived in March 2023 during a bilateral T20I series in the UAE: they won the first two matches (by six and seven wickets) to claim a 2-1 series victory—their first bilateral series win over Pakistan. Further statement wins followed, including a four-wicket victory in the 2023 Asian Games semi-final in Hangzhou and an eight-wicket triumph over Pakistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup in Chennai.
In the 2025 UAE T20I Tri-Series (Afghanistan, Pakistan, UAE), the sides met three times before the final. Pakistan won the opener on 29 August by 39 runs; Afghanistan responded with an 18-run win on 2 September. Both teams finished the league stage level on points, setting up the 7 September final.
Match Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Afghanistan vs Pakistan (Final) |
| Venue | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah |
| Date | 7 September 2025 |
| Tournament/Series | United Arab Emirates T20I Tri-Series 2025 |
| Toss | Pakistan elected to bat |
| Pakistan Score | 141/8 (20 overs) |
| Afghanistan Score | 66 all out (15.5 overs) |
| Result | Pakistan won by 75 runs |
| Player of the Match | Mohammad Nawaz (Pakistan) |
Pakistan Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Saim Ayub | 17 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 89.47 |
| Fakhar Zaman | 27 | 26 | 2 | 1 | 103.84 |
| Salman Agha (c) | 24 | 27 | 0 | 2 | 88.88 |
| Hasan Nawaz | 15 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 187.50 |
| Mohammad Haris † | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.66 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 25 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 119.04 |
| Faheem Ashraf | 15 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 187.50 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 2* | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Sufyan Moqim | 0* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras (b 2, lb 5, w 7) | 14 | ||||
| Total | 141/8 | 20 overs | RR 7.05 |
Pakistan lost Farhan for a duck in the first over but recovered through a 49-run stand between Ayub and Zaman. The middle order struggled against Afghanistan’s spin, particularly Rashid Khan (3/38) and Noor Ahmad (2/17). Nawaz and Ashraf provided late impetus with useful cameos, lifting the total past 140 on a surface that offered grip.
Afghanistan Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 3 | 0 | 19 | 2 | 6.33 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5.00 |
| AM Ghazanfar | 4 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 4 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 7.00 |
| Noor Ahmad | 4 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 4.25 |
| Rashid Khan | 4 | 0 | 38 | 3 | 9.50 |
Rashid Khan was the standout with three wickets, including key dismissals of Zaman, Hasan Nawaz and Salman Agha. Noor Ahmad and Farooqi provided control in the middle and death phases. The spinners collectively restricted Pakistan after a solid start, keeping the total within reach on paper.
Afghanistan Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz † | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Sediqullah Atal | 13 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 86.66 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 9 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 |
| Darwish Rasooli | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 30.00 |
| Karim Janat | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Rashid Khan (c) | 17 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 94.44 |
| Noor Ahmad | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| AM Ghazanfar | 7 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 100.00 |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 2* | 11 | 0 | 0 | 18.18 |
| Extras (b 1, lb 3, w 3) | 7 | ||||
| Total | 66 all out | 15.5 overs | RR 4.16 |
Afghanistan’s chase collapsed dramatically. After Gurbaz fell early, a middle-order implosion left them 32/6. Only Rashid Khan offered brief resistance with 17. The total of 66 was among their lowest in T20Is.
Pakistan Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 3.50 |
| Abrar Ahmed | 4 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 4.25 |
| Saim Ayub | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3.33 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 4 | 1 | 19 | 5 | 4.75 |
| Sufyan Moqim | 2.5 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 3.17 |
Nawaz’s spell was match-defining. He claimed five wickets, including a hat-trick (Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai and Ibrahim Zadran), and later removed Karim Janat and Rashid Khan. Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Moqim provided excellent support with two wickets each. The spin combination exploited the conditions perfectly after Shaheen’s early breakthrough.
Match Highlights
| Match Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Batter | Mohammad Nawaz (25 off 21) / Rashid Khan (17) |
| Best Bowler | Mohammad Nawaz (5/19 including hat-trick) |
| Best Partnership | Pakistan 2nd wicket (Ayub-Zaman, 49 runs) |
| Key Moment | Nawaz’s hat-trick reducing Afghanistan to 32/5 |
| Turning Point | Afghanistan’s middle-order collapse (5 wickets for 4 runs) |
| Best Bowling Spell | Mohammad Nawaz 4-1-19-5 |
| Best Batting Performance | Mohammad Nawaz’s all-round contribution |
| Final Result | Pakistan won by 75 runs |
Detailed Match Highlights
Early Pakistan Struggle and Recovery
Farhan’s early dismissal put pressure on Pakistan. The Ayub-Zaman partnership stabilised the innings before Rashid’s breakthroughs slowed the scoring. Late contributions from Nawaz and Ashraf proved valuable on a used surface.
Nawaz’s Hat-Trick and Afghanistan Collapse
Shaheen removed Gurbaz in the first over. Abrar dismissed Atal. Nawaz then produced a hat-trick across the sixth and seventh overs, trapping Rasooli lbw, having Omarzai caught behind, and stumping Zadran. Janat fell three balls later. Afghanistan slid from 28/2 to 32/6 and never recovered.
Rashid’s Lone Resistance
Rashid Khan struck two sixes in a 17-run knock but was eventually caught off Nawaz. The lower order offered little resistance as Sufyan Moqim and Abrar cleaned up the tail.
Turning Point of the Match
- Nawaz’s hat-trick (overs 5.5–7.1) – Three key middle-order wickets in quick succession destroyed Afghanistan’s chase momentum and left them 32/5.
- Collapse of 5 wickets for 4 runs – The period around the powerplay end asphyxiated the innings; recovery became nearly impossible on a turning track.
- Nawaz’s fifth wicket (Rashid) – Removing the captain extinguished any late hope.
- Pakistan’s disciplined spin bowling throughout – Consistent pressure from Abrar, Nawaz and Moqim prevented any partnerships of substance.
Top Players / Player Performance
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Nawaz | Pakistan | All-rounder | 25 (21) & 5/19 (hat-trick) |
| Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | Bowler/Captain | 17 (18) & 3/38 |
| Fakhar Zaman | Pakistan | Batter | 27 (26) |
| Abrar Ahmed | Pakistan | Bowler | 2/17 |
| Sufyan Moqim | Pakistan | Bowler | 2/9 |
Mohammad Nawaz – Match-Winning All-Round Display
Nawaz’s 25 off 21 provided crucial lower-order runs. With the ball he produced his maiden T20I five-wicket haul and a hat-trick—the first by a Pakistani spinner in men’s T20Is. His control and variations on a gripping surface were unmatched. He was also named Player of the Series.
Rashid Khan – Fighting Captain’s Knock and Spell
Rashid’s three wickets restricted Pakistan, and his 17 was Afghanistan’s top score. He could not find enough support with the bat.
Fakhar Zaman – Anchoring Start
Zaman’s 27 provided the platform for Pakistan’s total before Rashid dismissed him.
Series / Tournament Overview
In the 2025 UAE T20I Tri-Series, Pakistan and Afghanistan both finished the league stage with three wins and one loss. Pakistan defeated UAE twice and Afghanistan once; Afghanistan beat UAE twice and Pakistan once. The final sealed Pakistan’s title win. Nawaz was the outstanding performer across the tournament.
Head-to-Head Record
| Format | Matches | Pakistan Won | Afghanistan Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| T20Is | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Total | 18 | 13 | 5 | 0 |
Data verified from ESPNcricinfo records up to the September 2025 final. Afghanistan’s sole ODI win came in the 2023 World Cup; their four T20I victories occurred in 2023 (three) and 2025 (one).
Why Pakistan Won
- Superior spin bowling on a helpful surface, led by Nawaz’s historic spell.
- Early breakthroughs that prevented Afghanistan from building partnerships.
- Useful lower-order contributions that lifted a modest total to a defendable one.
- Clinical death bowling and fielding that completed a comprehensive victory.
- Better adaptation to the conditions after Afghanistan had previously challenged them in the series.
Importance of the Match
The result gave Pakistan the tri-series title and valuable momentum heading into subsequent tournaments. For Afghanistan it was a disappointing final performance after competitive showings earlier in the series. The match reinforced that while Afghanistan can compete strongly, Pakistan still holds the edge in decisive contests on turning tracks. It also highlighted Nawaz’s value as an all-round option.
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Conclusion
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline shows a rivalry that has matured from Pakistan’s early dominance into more balanced contests. The 7 September 2025 final at Sharjah provided a clear demonstration of spin’s potency: Mohammad Nawaz’s 5/19 and hat-trick dismantled Afghanistan for 66 and secured a 75-run win for Pakistan. Fans of Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Matches will remember this night for the dramatic collapse and Nawaz’s all-round brilliance. With both sides continuing to develop, future meetings promise further intensity across formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I check the Afghanistan vs Pakistan match scorecard?
Official scorecards and full details are available on ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz for the 7 September 2025 final and all previous encounters.
Who was the top scorer in the 7 September 2025 match?
Fakhar Zaman scored 27 for Pakistan; Rashid Khan top-scored for Afghanistan with 17.
Who took the most wickets?
Mohammad Nawaz took 5/19 for Pakistan, including a hat-trick.
What was the final result?
Pakistan won by 75 runs (Pakistan 141/8, Afghanistan 66 all out).
Where was the match played?
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates.
Who was Player of the Match?
Mohammad Nawaz (Pakistan).
What is the head-to-head record?
Pakistan lead overall 13–5 across 18 international matches (ODIs 7–1, T20Is 6–4).
What were the key highlights?
Nawaz’s hat-trick and five-wicket haul that triggered Afghanistan’s collapse to 66.
Disclaimer: All match statistics, scores, dates, venues, results and player performances in this article have been verified against official sources including ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz and contemporaneous match reports. No statistics, quotes or details have been invented. Historical records are accurate as of the latest verified data available at the time of writing. Readers should consult primary sources for the most current updates.
