Afghanistan (188/4) convincingly defeat UAE (150/8) by 38 runs in Match 3 of the UAE T20I Tri-series 2025

[Ball Blazer]

On Monday, 01 September 2025, United Arab Emirates will take on Afghanistan in the 3rd match of the T20I Tri-Series at Sharjah, with the game starting at 3:00 pm GMT (7:00 pm local). Both sides lost their opening fixtures against Pakistan and will be eager to bounce back.

UAE squad

Muhammad Waseem (c), Asif Khan, Rahul Chopra, Ethan D'Souza, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Rohid, Muhammad Zohaib, Dhruv Parashar, Saghir Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma

Afghanistan squad

features Rashid Khan (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Fareed Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, AM Ghazanfar, Gulbadin Naib, Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Sharafuddin Ashraf

=======

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[The Bald Eagle]

Toss Update:

UAE won the toss and chose to bowl first

 

[Champ_Pal]

Rohid is a great prospect. Can Move the ball at pace.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Lack of local support for UAE is not a good watch. Looks like Arab Sheikhs only watch for fun. No real support.

 

[Rana]

16-1 after 3.1 overs

Asia’s number 2 team in trouble here

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Afghans' T20 batting is not impressive at all unlike their ODI batting

 

[Rajdeep]

UAE is in form. India need to be careful on the opening game

 

[Rana]

Feels like watching Pakistan under Babar/Rizwan bat

 

[Sachin fan]

I think this is why Afganistan is stagnating as a team. They play the same old style of cricket of saving wickets and trying to go big in last 5 overs in both t20s and ODIs and hoping their bowling saves them.

While other teams have moved on.

 

[CricVet]

Good, high IQ, professional bowling by UAE. The fielding needs to be more crisp.

 

[Sachin fan]

16-1 after 3.1 overs

Asia’s number 2 team in trouble here

They were No. 2 till Pak had Rizbar.

 

[CricVet]

The 2 current Afg bats on the wicket are the best of their lot. Dismiss them now, UAE gets the upper hand

 

[jnaveen1980]

I think this is why Afganistan is stagnating as a team. They play the same old style of cricket of saving wickets and trying to go big in last 5 overs in both t20s and ODIs and hoping their bowling saves them.

While other teams have moved on.

In the league cricket only their bowlers get chances. Their batsmen don't get chances. Hence they have very limited chances to enhance their skills. They need to play lot more matches to get used to this format. They barely play any T20s against better sides. Credit to them for making semi final in 2024. In certain condtiions they can upset any team especially when they bat first.

 

[Sachin fan]

In the league cricket only their bowlers get chances. Their batsmen don't get chances. Hence they have very limited chances to enhance their skills. They need to play lot more matches to get used to this format. They barely play any T20s against better sides. Credit to them for making semi final in 2024. In certain condtiions they can upset any team especially when they bat first.

Chicken and egg situation right? They should showcase their hitting skills in such tournaments and in Asia cup and teams might consider them in IPl or other leagues.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Chicken and egg situation right? They should showcase their hitting skills in such tournaments and in Asia cup and teams might consider them in IPl or other leagues.

Ther eis no way they are getting chances ahead of Phil Salts, Finn Allens, Seiferts, Travis heads.But they are technically very good. Against shor tballs they are much better than Pak batsmen.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Disappointing batting by Afghans so far. A few big hits and way too many dot balls. They seem to lack clarity and poor understanding of their roles in the lineup. Talent is there. But planning is poor.

 

[AZulfi]

With three overs remaining, Afghanistan can still make 180 plus

 

[jnaveen1980]

Disappointing batting by Afghans so far. A few big hits and way too many dot balls. They seem to lack clarity and poor understanding of their roles in the lineup. Talent is there. But planning is poor.

They need atleast 10 overs to get going. Their problem is they don't hack. Most of their shots are proper cricketing shots. So this format is not quiet suitable for them.

 

[AZulfi]

Might not get to 200 but 190 plus is surely on now

 

[AZulfi]

Good last over by Junaid.

188 looks gettable

 

[jnaveen1980]

UAE has one of the better power play in the year 2025

Team	Balls	Runs	RR	SR
England
India
Australia
NZ
UAE
Windies
Srilanka
Netherlands
Bangladesh
Pakistan
S Africa
Zimbabwe

[td]

288​

[/td]​

[td]

505​

[/td]​

[td]

10.52​

[/td]​

[td]

170.58​

[/td]​

[td]

180​

[/td]​

[td]

315​

[/td]​

[td]

10.5​

[/td]​

[td]

166.11​

[/td]​

[td]

288​

[/td]​

[td]

488​

[/td]​

[td]

10.16​

[/td]​

[td]

159.37​

[/td]​

[td]

390​

[/td]​

[td]

661​

[/td]​

[td]

10.16​

[/td]​

[td]

155.58​

[/td]​

[td]

144​

[/td]​

[td]

224​

[/td]​

[td]

9.33​

[/td]​

[td]

142.46​

[/td]​

[td]

432​

[/td]​

[td]

653​

[/td]​

[td]

9.06​

[/td]​

[td]

141.41​

[/td]​

[td]

144​

[/td]​

[td]

209​

[/td]​

[td]

8.7​

[/td]​

[td]

138.62​

[/td]​

[td]

180​

[/td]​

[td]

232​

[/td]​

[td]

7.73​

[/td]​

[td]

123.88​

[/td]​

[td]

504​

[/td]​

[td]

656​

[/td]​

[td]

7.8​

[/td]​

[td]

123.37​

[/td]​

[td]

570​

[/td]​

[td]

706​

[/td]​

[td]

7.43​

[/td]​

[td]

116.84​

[/td]​

[td]

288​

[/td]​

[td]

345​

[/td]​

[td]

7.18​

[/td]​

[td]

111.76​

[/td]​

[td]

228​

[/td]​

[td]

215​

[/td]​

[td]

5.65​

[/td]​

[td]

85.96​

[/td]​

 

[CricVet]

Let's see if dew can come for UAE assistance

 

[jnaveen1980]

UAE has one of the better power play in the year 2025

Team	Balls	Runs	RR	SR
England	288	505	10.52	170.58
India	180	315	10.5	166.11
Australia	288	488	10.16	159.37
NZ	390	661	10.16	155.58
UAE	144	224	9.33	142.46
Windies	432	653	9.06	141.41
Srilanka	144	209	8.7	138.62
Netherlands	180	232	7.73	123.88
Bangladesh	504	656	7.8	123.37
Pakistan	570	706	7.43	116.84
S Africa	288	345	7.18	111.76
Zimbabwe	228	215	5.65	85.96

​

 

[jnaveen1980]

Delete my previously messed up post. Before correcting 2 minute expired

 

[cricfan432]

Ther eis no way they are getting chances ahead of Phil Salts, Finn Allens, Seiferts, Travis heads.But they are technically very good. Against shor tballs they are much better than Pak batsmen.

Thats because pitches in afghanistan due to cooler climate supports short bowling

 

[AZulfi]

UAE has one of the better power play in the year 2025

Team	Balls	Runs	RR	SR
England	288	505	10.52	170.58
India	180	315	10.5	166.11
Australia	288	488	10.16	159.37
NZ	390	661	10.16	155.58
UAE	144	224	9.33	142.46
Windies	432	653	9.06	141.41
Srilanka	144	209	8.7	138.62
Netherlands	180	232	7.73	123.88
Bangladesh	504	656	7.8	123.37
Pakistan	570	706	7.43	116.84
S Africa	288	345	7.18	111.76
Zimbabwe	228	215	5.65	85.96

​

Such stats are misleading

UAE do not get to play against the top 5-6 teams that often

However, surprised to see RSA doing worse than Pak.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Such stats are misleading

UAE do not get to play against the top 5-6 teams that often

However, surprised to see RSA doing worse than Pak.

I think thier opener Muhammad waseem was world no.1 icc ranked batsman at one point if i am right. He plays aggressively against all.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I think thier opener Muhammad waseem was world no.1 icc ranked batsman at one point if i am right. He plays aggressively against all.

Regarding SA Reeza Hendricks strike rate was 108.82 for this year. RVD 119, RIckleton 125. Only Markram has 140 plus strike rate among top 3. But he played only 3 games for them.

 

[AZulfi]

Regarding SA Reeza Hendricks strike rate was 108.82 for this year. RVD 119, RIckleton 125. Only Markram has 140 plus strike rate among top 3. But he played only 3 games for them.

That’s again surprising to see. Reeza is a much better player than that. A class act when he gets going.

Always felt that he should be in RSA ODI XI ahead of Temba Bavuma (a beneficiary of the quota system)

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Waseem is looking dangerous. If he manages to stay at the crease for 5 more overs...game would become very difficult for Afghanistan.

 

[Rana]

Clearly dew out there

 

[Rana]

This is proper powerplay batting by Waseem

 

[jnaveen1980]

Player​	Balls​	Runs​	Strike Rate​
Tim David​	31​	71​	229.03​
Abhishek Sharma​	67​	145​	216.41​
Cam Green​	34​	73​	214.70​
Shane Rutherford​	26​	51​	196.15​
Finn Allen​	33​	63​	190.90​
Jamie Smith​	35​	66​	188.57​
Ben Duckett​	87​	163​	187.35​
Inglis​	55​	103​	187.27​
Muhammad Waseem​	70​	130​	185.71​

Top strike rates in power play in the year 2025. Minimum 25 balls

 

[Rana]

Zindabad Waseem yar

Class batting!

 

[cricfan432]

Should give rashid khan respect

 

[AZulfi]

66 after pp thanks to Waseem.

RRR under 9. No need to do anything silly

UAE in control at the moment. Waseem should look to bat through or at least till the 12-15th over

 

[Champ_Pal]

Zindabad Waseem yar

Class batting!

Is he expat Pakistani?

 

[Rana]

Is he expat Pakistani?

Not sure

His FC debut was in UAE

 

[Champ_Pal]

Not sure

His FC debut was in UAE

Pakistan could definitely use a player like him. A proper T20 batter and full of class.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pakistan could definitely use a player like him. A proper T20 batter and full of class.

ON pitches which get progressively worse guy like him is gold.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Ethan D'Souza is not ready for big boys cricket.

 

[Rana]

Man just hit Rashid Khan on to the roof

 

[jnaveen1980]

You gotta say Pakistan had a massive escape with running him out other day.

 

[Rana]

You gotta say Pakistan had a massive escape with running him out other day.

Gone now

But I think he’s done enough

 

[jnaveen1980]

Gone now

But I think he’s done enough

Most teams should win from here while chasing. But not sure what the depth of UAE team is. Usually these associate sides bat till 10. Not sure about UAE.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I guess this is a good batting pitch? You can't score this easily against Afghanistan. They are one of the better bowling side.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Most teams should win from here while chasing. But not sure what the depth of UAE team is. Usually these associate sides bat till 10. Not sure about UAE.

no only 2 or 3 players can bat.. so i dont think they will be able to cross 150 mark.

 

[Justcrazy]

U.A.E. need 90 runs in 50 balls.

Afghans on top here

 

[AZulfi]

You gotta say Pakistan had a massive escape with running him out other day.

Get your point but that’s a bit like saying had there been a 4th stump he would have been bowled!

Run out is an unfortunate dismissal but still part of the game

 

[Justcrazy]

UAE need some big overs to spice up the game.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Ethan D'Souza is not ready for big boys cricket.

yeah looked like a galli mohalla cricketer

 

[Justcrazy]

Afghanistan has firmly got the game in its control

Rashid Khan 3 for 21 so far.

 

[CricVet]

Good fight again by UAE. It can upset ANY team here in UAE on its day!

 

[sweep_shot]

Rashid became the highest wicket-taker in T20I history.

Clinical win for Afghanistan.