• Source:JND
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Pakistan national cricket team vs Afghanistan national cricket team match: Mohammad Nawaz, Pakistan's star spinner, etched his name in the history books by claiming a hat-trick against Afghanistan in the Tri-Series 2025 final at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 8.

Nawaz has been in remarkable form ever since he made his return to the T20I side. On the back of his magnificent five-wicket haul, Pakistan registered a 75-run win in the final against Afghanistan to clinch the Tri-Series trophy. He ended up taking a match-winning five-for for just 19 runs in his four overs.

Pakistan produced an incredible effort to bowl Afghanistan out for just 66 runs in 15.5 overs while defending their 141-run total.

The left-arm orthodox struck on the last two deliveries of his opening over, dismissing Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai for ducks. He then returned with his second over, hunting down star Afghan batter Ibrahim Zadran to complete the hat-trick.

With this feat, Nawaz also became only the third Pakistani bowler to claim a hat-trick in T20Is, after Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Hasnain.

Pakistani players to take hat-trick in T20Is

Faheem Ashraf (vs Sri Lanka) in Abu Dhabi in 2017/18

Md Hasnain (vs Sri Lanka) in Lahore in 2019/20

Md Nawaz (vs Sri Lanka) in Sharjah in 2025

Undoubtedly, the left-arm spinner was adjudged the Player of the Match. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he said hitting the right areas was the key to success for him in the final.

"The plan was very simple. We knew this pitch was difficult to bat on. We had to be disciplined with our bowling. We hit the right areas and found success," Nawaz said.

"I got spin on the first two balls, I realised the pace at which I had to bowl. I had to keep the pads and stumps in play. I am feeling good. I have control, and that has given me the confidence. Just trying to keep things simple and trying to execute. We needed a partnership at that time. We were under pressure, but we recovered and got to 140," he added.

Pakistan have got a major boost with the Tri-Series win ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to be played in the UAE from September 9 to 28. The Men in Green will kick off their campaign with the match against Oman on September 12 whereas their much-awaited clash against arch-rivals India will take place on September 14 in Dubai.