 "Pakistan gained invaluable experience by winning the Tri-Series final before India match in Asia Cup 2025. Image: AFP")
Pakistan cricket team and Mohammad Nawaz have certainly sent a strong warning before India’s match in the Asia Cup 2025 as they demolished Afghanistan by 75 runs in the United Arab Emirates T20I Tri-Series 2025 final on Sunday. Ranked eighth in the world, Pakistan entered the tournament to gain some valuable experience before the mega Asia Cup and high-voltage clash against world No 1 India.
However, it was Afghanistan who were seen as the Tri-Series tournament favourites. At a pre-tournament press conference, when a journalist labelled Afghanistan as Asia’s second-best team after India, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha was not able to hide the disgust as his reaction went viral.
Pakistan, Nawaz prove a point before Asia Cup 2025
Pakistan replied in the best way possible, bowling out Afghanistan for just 66 in 15.5 overs during the 142-run chase as left-arm spinner Nawaz took a hat-trick in Sharjah. Overall, the 31-year-old all-rounder took five wickets for 19, while Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem also took two wickets each and pacer Shaheen Afridi picked up one.
Nawaz dismissed Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai and Ibrahim Zadran on a trot to complete his hat-trick.
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Unlike the Champions Trophy, where Pakistan packed their playing XI with pacers, they carefully picked multiple spinners this time to suit the slow and sluggish nature of the Sharjah ground. The conditions would be similar in Dubai , meaning spinners are set to play a crucial role in the Asia Cup T20I tournament.
Afgan captain Rashid Khan was the top scorer for his team from the eighth spot with a score of 17. The next best was Sediqullah Atal (13). For Pakistan, Nawaz made 25 while Fakhar Zaman and captain Salman Agha added 27 and 24, respectively, in difficult batting conditions.
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The Tri-Series experience is set to help Pakistan massively during the Asia Cup, which will also be played in the UAE.
“We wanted to prepare in a way that helps us for the Asia Cup and we’ve done that,” Pakistan captain Salman Agha said. “We’ve been doing really well since the Bangladesh series at home. Now, we’re in very good shape and fully prepared.”
Pakistan are part of Group A in the Asia Cup along with India, Oman and UAE. The India vs Pakistan match will take place in Dubai on Sunday (14 September).