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PAK vs AFG Tri-Series 1st T20I: Pakistan began their preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 on a high after defeating Afghanistan by 39 runs during the series opener of the tri-series in Sharjah. They won this match on the back of batting and bowling prowess.

Captain Salman Agha spearheaded their batting attack as he scored a match-winning knock of 53 runs off 36 balls. When he came into bat, Salman first anchored the middle overs and then changed his batting approach and smashed three sixes and three fours during his knock.

His calm and aggressive knock had laid the groundwork for their total of 182/7 after 20 overs. Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf's late surge helped Pakistan post a respectable target.

Also Read: Afghanistan vs Pakistan Full Scorecard: AFG Collapse In Chase As PAK Win T20I By 39 Runs

Afghanistan had a flying start to their chase on the back of Rahamanullah Gurbaz's gritty knock of 38 runs. But after the Pakistan fast bowlers settled in, the team suffered a batting collapse. The turning point occurred during the 12th over, where Haris Rauf had taken two wickets as he dismissed batters like Sediqullah Atal and Karim Jana on successive deliveries. They were 93/2 but then suffered a batting collapse.

But the match soon became dramatic. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan showed his all-round brilliance as he scored a gritty knock of 39 runs off 16 balls. He went all guns blazing during Rauf's over as he had smashed three sixes and entertained the fans present in Sharjah, and had also kept their hopes alive. But he mistimed the shot when the ball went deep. They were skittled out for 143 runs.

Rauf registered match-winning figures of 4/31 and demonstrated that he still can provide the team with the much-needed breakthroughs. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Nawaz took two wickets each, whereas left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem registered figures of 2/25.

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Brief Scores

Pakistan: 182/7 in 20 overs. Salman Agha 53*, Sahibzada Farhan 21; Fareed Ahmed 2/47, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1/21

Afghanistan: 143 all out in 19.5 overs. Rashid Khan 39*, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 38; Haris Rauf 4/31, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2/21

Result: Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 39 runs.