Pakistan achieved a comprehensive victory against Afghanistan in the tri-series leading up to the Asia Cup 2025, winning the match by 39 runs. Afghanistan’s batting unit faced significant difficulties, losing five wickets for a mere 4 runs within 20 deliveries. Haris Rauf of Pakistan was highly effective, capturing 4 wickets within 23 balls, decisively impacting the match’s outcome. Initially, Afghanistan showed promise in their pursuit of the 183-run target, reaching 93/2 after 11 overs. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the 12th over with Rauf’s bowling. Afghanistan’s innings collapsed, leading to their all-out at 143 runs in 19.5 overs. Rashid Khan, the captain, contributed 39 runs, which included 5 sixes and 1 four, though this effort couldn’t prevent the loss. Sadullah Atal scored 23 runs, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz managed 38 runs. Haris Rauf led the Pakistani bowling attack with 4 wickets for 31 runs in 3.5 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz, and Sufiyan Muqeem each took two wickets, and Pakistan’s captain, Salman Agha, added a valuable half-century to the team’s score.
