The Afghanistan vs UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025 delivered a thrilling spectacle on September 1, 2025, at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, where Afghanistan secured a commanding 38-run victory over UAE in the third match of the United Arab Emirates T20I Tri-Nation Series. Batting first, Afghanistan posted a formidable 188/4, driven by Ibrahim Zadran’s elegant 63 off 41 and Sediqullah Atal’s explosive 54 off 36, with Azmatullah Omarzai’s late flourish adding firepower. UAE’s chase, sparked by Muhammad Waseem’s blazing 67 off 37, crumbled to 150/8 under the spin wizardry of Rashid Khan, whose 3/21 made him the all-time leading T20I wicket-taker, and Sharafuddin Ashraf’s match-defining 3/24.
Match Overview: Afghanistan’s Spin Dominance Shines in Sharjah
Afghanistan vs UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025:
UAE captain Muhammad Waseem won the toss and opted to bowl on a Sharjah pitch known for its short boundaries but offering grip for spinners as the game progresses. Afghanistan capitalized with a robust 188/4, anchored by Zadran’s composed 63 (3 fours, 3 sixes) and Atal’s aggressive 54 (3 fours, 3 sixes), with Omarzai’s unbeaten 22 off 10 (2 sixes) providing a late surge. UAE’s chase started with promise, reaching 76/2 in 8.1 overs, thanks to Waseem’s fiery knock. However, a dramatic collapse—losing 5 wickets for 36 runs in 5.2 overs—was triggered by Rashid Khan’s historic spell, which saw him surpass Tim Southee’s 164 T20I wickets to become the format’s leading wicket-taker with 165. Sharafuddin Ashraf’s 3/24 and Fazalhaq Farooqi’s early breakthrough ensured UAE fell to 150/8, despite Rahul Chopra’s resilient 52* off 34. Key stat: This was Afghanistan’s first win of the tri-series, boosting their net run rate. Player of the Match: Sharafuddin Ashraf for his game-changing wickets.
Afghanistan Innings: Zadran’s Class and Atal’s Power Set 189
Afghanistan’s innings began cautiously after Rahmanullah Gurbaz (12 off 10, 1 four, 1 six) fell to Muhammad Rohid Khan in the fourth over, leaving them at 16/1. UAE’s bowlers, led by Junaid Siddique’s disciplined 1/25 in 4 overs, restricted Afghanistan to 16 runs in the first three overs, exploiting early swing. However, Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal shifted gears, forging an 84-run second-wicket partnership. Zadran’s 63 off 41 was a masterclass in pacing, blending deft cover drives with lofted sixes, while Atal’s 54 off 36 included a monstrous six onto the Sharjah roof off Saghir Khan. Their 25-ball fifties showcased Afghanistan’s batting depth. After Atal’s dismissal at 100/2 (12.2 overs), Darwish Rasooli (15) and Karim Janat (16) kept the momentum, but it was Omarzai’s 22* off 10, smashing two sixes off Jawadullah, that propelled Afghanistan to 188/4, with 49 runs plundered in the final four overs. UAE’s death bowling faltered, with Saghir Khan (2/39) and Rohid (2/34) unable to curb the late onslaught.
Afghanistan Innings Table:
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) | c Chopra b Rohid | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 120.00 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | c Waseem b Saghir | 63 | 41 | 3 | 3 | 153.65 |
| Sediqullah Atal | c D’Souza b Saghir | 54 | 36 | 3 | 3 | 150.00 |
| Darwish Rasooli | c Chopra b Rohid | 15 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Karim Janat | not out | 16 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 145.45 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | not out | 22 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 220.00 |
| Extras | (lb 2, w 6) | 8 | ||||
| Total | 20 overs (RR: 9.40) | 188/4 |
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junaid Siddique | 4 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 6.25 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Muhammad Jawadullah | 4 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 9.50 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Muhammad Rohid Khan | 4 | 0 | 34 | 2 | 8.50 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Haider Ali | 3 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 10.00 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Saghir Khan | 4 | 0 | 39 | 2 | 9.75 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Dhruv Parashar | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12.00 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Fall of Wickets: 16-1 (Gurbaz, 3.1), 100-2 (Atal, 12.2), 120-3 (Rasooli, 14.2), 160-4 (Zadran, 17.4).
[Image: Ibrahim Zadran lofting a cover drive, UAE fielders chasing, Sharjah stadium glowing.]
UAE Innings: Waseem’s Fireworks Fizzle Under Spin
Afghanistan vs UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025:
UAE’s chase began with intent, as Muhammad Waseem (67 off 37, 5 fours, 3 sixes) and Muhammad Zohaib (7 off 7) raced to 15/0 in 1.5 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi struck early, dismissing Zohaib, but Waseem’s onslaught—smashing two sixes off Omarzai—powered UAE to 76/2 by 8.1 overs, ahead of the required rate. Ethan D’Souza (2) struggled against spin, and the game turned when Sharafuddin Ashraf dismissed Waseem in the 10th over, caught by Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Rashid Khan then unleashed his magic, removing Asif Khan (0) with a googly, D’Souza, and Dhruv Parashar in quick succession, reducing UAE to 112/7 in 15.3 overs. His 3/21 in 4 overs, with 12 dot balls, marked his ascent as T20I’s leading wicket-taker. Rahul Chopra’s unbeaten 52* off 34 (3 fours, 2 sixes) offered late resistance, but Ashraf’s 3/24 and Farooqi’s 1/30 ensured UAE fell to 150/8, 38 runs short. UAE’s middle order crumbled under spin pressure, losing 5 wickets for 36 runs in 5.2 overs.
UAE Innings Table:
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad Zohaib | c Gurbaz b Farooqi | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Muhammad Waseem (c) | c Mujeeb b Ashraf | 67 | 37 | 5 | 3 | 181.08 |
| Ethan D’Souza | c Omarzai b Rashid | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Asif Khan | b Rashid | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Rahul Chopra (wk) | not out | 52 | 34 | 3 | 2 | 152.94 |
| Harshit Kaushik | lbw b Ashraf | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 62.50 |
| Dhruv Parashar | c Janat b Rashid | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Saghir Khan | c Nabi b Ashraf | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Haider Ali | c Nabi b Ashraf | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Junaid Siddique | not out | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| Extras | (lb 4, w 5) | 9 | ||||
| Total | 20 overs (RR: 7.50) | 150/8 |
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 4 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 7.50 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 4 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 8.00 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 4 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 9.00 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Rashid Khan | 4 | 0 | 21 | 3 | 5.25 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharafuddin Ashraf | 4 | 0 | 24 | 3 | 6.00 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Fall of Wickets: 15-1 (Zohaib, 1.5), 76-2 (D’Souza, 8.1), 90-3 (Waseem, 9.4), 91-4 (Asif, 10.1), 107-5 (Kaushik, 13.5), 111-6 (Parashar, 14.6), 112-7 (Saghir, 15.3), 122-8 (Haider, 17.1).
[Image: Rashid Khan bowling a googly, UAE batter struggling, Sharjah stadium vibrant.]
Key Performances: Stars Who Defined the Clash
- Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): 3/21 in 4 overs—broke Tim Southee’s T20I wicket-taking record (165 wickets), dismantling UAE’s middle order with googlies and pace variation.
- Sharafuddin Ashraf (Afghanistan): 3/24—triggered the collapse with Waseem’s wicket, earning Player of the Match for his clutch performance.
- Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan): 63 off 41—classy knock, anchored the innings with a 25-ball fifty, mixing elegance with power.
- Sediqullah Atal (Afghanistan): 54 off 36—set the tone with a roof-smashing six, forming a vital 84-run stand with Zadran.
- Muhammad Waseem (UAE): 67 off 37—lone warrior, kept UAE ahead of the rate until his dismissal shifted momentum.
- Rahul Chopra (UAE): 52* off 34—resilient unbeaten knock, reduced defeat margin with late boundaries.
Tactics Talk: Afghanistan’s Spin Mastery Overpowers UAE
Afghanistan’s batting strategy leveraged Sharjah’s batting-friendly conditions early, with Zadran and Atal’s 84-run partnership exploiting UAE’s inconsistent lengths. Atal’s aggression against pace and Zadran’s finesse against spin set a platform, while Omarzai’s death-over assault capitalized on UAE’s wayward bowling, conceding 49 runs in the final four overs. Afghanistan’s bowling plan hinged on spin dominance post-powerplay, with Rashid and Ashraf bowling 8 overs for 45 runs and 6 wickets. Their variations—Rashid’s googlies and Ashraf’s arm balls—exposed UAE’s middle-order weakness against spin. UAE’s aggressive start through Waseem (181.08 SR) was promising, but poor shot selection and a costly run-out (Waseem) derailed their chase. Chopra’s late fight highlighted UAE’s potential, but their lack of depth and spin-handling skills cost them. Afghanistan’s balanced attack and tactical nous proved decisive.
Tri-Series Context: Afghanistan’s Surge, UAE’s Challenge
The UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025, held from August 29 to September 7 at Sharjah, features Afghanistan, Pakistan, and UAE in a round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to the final on September 7. This win marked Afghanistan’s (No. 9 in ICC T20I rankings) first victory after a 39-run loss to Pakistan, boosting their chances for the final. UAE (No. 14) remain winless after losses to Pakistan (31 runs) and Afghanistan, needing wins in their remaining matches to stay in contention. Pakistan lead the table with two wins. The series is crucial preparation for the 2025 Asia Cup, with Afghanistan showcasing their spin prowess and UAE aiming to prove their mettle against top teams.
Player Spotlight: Rashid Khan’s Historic Milestone
Rashid Khan’s 3/21 not only clinched the match but etched his name in T20I history. At 26, surpassing Southee’s 164 wickets in fewer matches cements his status as a global T20 icon. His ability to deliver under pressure—removing Asif Khan and Parashar in quick succession—shifted the game’s momentum. Zadran’s 63, meanwhile, highlighted his growing reliability as Afghanistan’s batting anchor, while Ashraf’s emergence as a clutch performer adds depth to their attack. For UAE, Waseem’s aggressive captaincy and Chopra’s late resilience offer hope, but their middle order needs to fire to compete.
Fan Engagement: What’s Next for the Tri-Series?
Afghanistan’s spin-heavy approach and batting depth make them formidable, but UAE’s fight, led by Waseem and Chopra, suggests they can challenge if their middle order clicks. The next matches—Afghanistan vs Pakistan (September 2) and UAE vs Pakistan (September 4)—will test both teams’ strategies. Can UAE’s batters handle Afghanistan’s spinners in a rematch? Will Rashid continue his record-breaking run? Join the conversation: Who was the true MVP—Rashid’s magic or Ashraf’s clutch wickets? Drop your predictions for the tri-series final in the comments!
[Image: Rashid Khan and Muhammad Waseem shaking hands post-match, with text ‘Afghanistan vs UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025’, Sharjah stadium aglow.]
