Pakistan cricket team ran through Afghanistan to register a resounding 75-run win in the Tri-series final on Sunday. Hat-trick Mohammad Nawaz was the star of the show for the Men in Green in what was a low-scoring affair. Pakistan will be now heading into the Asia Cup 2025 riding high on momentum having won the Tri-series and ending their preparations for the eight-nation tournament on a high note.
Nawaz spins Afghanistan into misery
Batting first in the contest, Pakistan managed to reach just 141/8 a the end of 20 overs. The Men in Green lost opener Sahibzada Farhan in the third delivery of the innings. It was Saim Ayub (17) and Fakhar Zaman (27) who helped steady the ship for the team, but not for too long. Contributions from Captain Agha (24), Mohammad Nawaz (25) and Hasan Nawaz (15) saw Pakistan breach the 140-run mark at the end of 20 overs.
Afghanistan did not get off to a bright start as they lost openers Gurbaz (5) and Atal (13) within the first four overs. It was then in the sixth over when Mohammad Nawaz unleashed his fury. The Pakistan spinner dismissed Darwish Rasooli, Omarzai and Zadaran in consecutive deliveries to become he third bowler from the country to bag a hat-trick in T20Is.
Eventually, he finished with figures of 5/19 from his 4 overs as Pakistan managed to bundle out Afghanistan for just 66 runs. This also marked the second lowest all-out total for Rashid Khan and co. in T20Is, a worrying sign before the Asia Cup. As for Pakistan, they have served a timely reminder to arch-rivals India, whom they will lock horns with on September 14.
Pakistan will commence their Asia Cup campaign on September 12 by taking on Oman in their tournament opener.
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