Pakistan clinched the T20 tri-series crown in Sharjah with a resounding 75-run victory over Afghanistan on Sunday, thanks to a brilliant all-round display from Mohammad Nawaz. The left-arm spinner etched his name into the record books with a stunning hat-trick, becoming only the third Pakistani bowler to achieve the feat in T20 internationals. His figures of 5-19 dismantled Afghanistan, who were bundled out for just 66 while chasing a modest 142.
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Earlier, Nawaz had chipped in with a crucial 25 off 21 balls, including two sixes, helping Pakistan reach 141-8 after being tested by Afghanistan’s spinners. Rashid Khan led from the front with three wickets, while Noor Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi took two apiece to restrict Pakistan’s scoring. Pakistan lost early wickets, with Sahibzada Farhan bowled by Farooqi and Saim Ayub caught off Noor Ahmad. Fakhar Zaman provided some spark with a maximum off Mohammad Nabi but fell soon after to Rashid Khan. The innings stuttered until skipper Salman Ali Agha struck two sixes off Rashid, though he too departed for 24. Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf added late runs, ensuring Pakistan had something competitive on the board.
Afghanistan’s reply unraveled almost immediately. Regular wickets tumbled from the start, and Nawaz’s devastating spell sealed their fate. His hat-trick across the 6th and 8th overs left Afghanistan reeling with no way back. Spinners Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Moqim chipped in with two wickets each, ensuring Pakistan’s dominance extended beyond Nawaz’s heroics.
The result capped off a strong tournament for Pakistan, who had already beaten the UAE twice and Afghanistan once in the group stage. Afghanistan had edged past the UAE by just four runs to book their place in the final, but their batting faltered under the Sharjah lights against Pakistan’s spin power.
With the Asia Cup starting on September 9, this comprehensive win provides Pakistan with the perfect momentum. For Nawaz, his hat-trick and all-round performance will be remembered as the defining highlight of a tournament that ended in emphatic fashion for the Green Shirts.
