UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025: Afghanistan vs Pakistan | Match 01 | August 29 | Sharjah | Pre-Match Discussion

[The Bald Eagle]

I reckon Pak should play Sufiyan and Abrar in tandem.
12-14 overs of spin from the wristies + Nawaz + Saim backed up by 6-8 overs of pace from Shaheen and Salman

Afghans could attack saim and not sure whether they are that uncomfortable with spin...with Rashid, mujeeb etc in nets they would be well prepared

 

[Nasty Naz]

I think the big question going into the game will be which spinners will play. I'd think it's Nawaz & Sufiyan but Abrar and Sufiyan would work too but based on recent strategy, they seem to like the allrounder to lengthen the batting. My guess:

Farhan
Saim
Haris
Fakhar
Agha
Hasan
Nawaz
Faheem
Shaheen
Rauf
Sufiyan

If its a very spinner friendly pitch, you still have 4 spinning options and if its a more balanced pitch, you get still 3 pacers + spinners to make it work. If its an extreme spin pitch, you could make a case to go with 2 pacers & Nawaz/Sufiyan/Abrar.

 

[AZulfi]

I think the big question going into the game will be which spinners will play. I'd think it's Nawaz & Sufiyan but Abrar and Sufiyan would work too but based on recent strategy, they seem to like the allrounder to lengthen the batting. My guess:

Farhan
Saim
Haris
Fakhar
Agha
Hasan
Nawaz
Faheem
Shaheen
Rauf
Sufiyan

If its a very spinner friendly pitch, you still have 4 spinning options and if its a more balanced pitch, you get still 3 pacers + spinners to make it work. If its an extreme spin pitch, you could make a case to go with 2 pacers & Nawaz/Sufiyan/Abrar.

Rauf could cost us the game. I would play Abrar instead. Agree with the rest.
Afghan batsmen generally play pace well, and they might struggle more against a mystery spinner than a pacer who cannot swing the ball.

 

[Obaidd]

Rauf could cost us the game. I would play Abrar instead. Agree with the rest.
Afghan batsmen generally play pace well, and they might struggle more against a mystery spinner than a pacer who cannot swing the ball.

Rauf’s off days are one too many these days. Seen him lose the plot a few times now.

You wouldn’t count on him to defend 15 runs in the final over

 

[Kianig89]

The new INd-Pak game for subcontinent audience, will be a close contest.

 

[AZulfi]

Rauf’s off days are one too many these days. Seen him lose the plot a few times now.

You wouldn’t count on him to defend 15 runs in the final over

Pace does not mean much unless you can also move the ball. Mohammad Sami was another example. Rauf is not Waqar or Shoaib. He is a one-dimensional bowler. Just bowls fast with little ability to swing or reverse-swing the ball, apart from the odd occasion. Line and length are often wayward.

Most decent bastmen can easily negotiate 143-147 kph (87-88mph), which is Rauf's average speed. It is the movement off the pitch (seam) or swing that troubles them.

 

[BouncerGuy]

I would go with this team...

Farhan
Saim
Fakhar
Haris
Agha
Hasan
Nawaz
Faheem
Shaheen
Salman Mirza
Sufiyan

 

[followed]

Hopefully not that trundler hasan ali in the team. He is worst of them all.

I never want to see him play an international match ever again.

He is so terrible awful and that khushdil shah who averages 15 with strike rate of 105.
Why the heck they were even selected to begin with

 

[Nikhil_cric]

That's the problem with Hasan Ali. Only a few round arm slingers have a lower release point than he does

He has to be at his best - bowling with control, pace and generating lateral movement, to offset the lack of bounce.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Rauf could cost us the game. I would play Abrar instead. Agree with the rest.
Afghan batsmen generally play pace well, and they might struggle more against a mystery spinner than a pacer who cannot swing the ball.

That's the reason i hate fast bowlers they just come to bat easily not sure why pakistan is following australian mindset who plays fast bowlers irrespective of conditions pak strength is their mystery spin with abrar and sufiyan these are pak best bowlers period.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Trophy unveiled for the tri-series.

 

[Rana]

Trophy unveiled for the tri-series.

Good to see RK is playing

Pakistan need as much experience as they can get facing him

 

[BouncerGuy]

I would go with this team...

Farhan
Saim
Fakhar
Haris
Agha
Hasan
Nawaz
Faheem
Shaheen
Salman Mirza
Sufiyan

@Rana any changes you wanna point out??

 

[Rana]

@Rana any changes you wanna point out??

Solid team

Move Agha/Nawaz to 4. Harris can bat down the order or sent up as a floater if situation is good.

 

[mominsaigol]

I think Afghanistan might win this one tbh. But if Afghanistan loses.

@Nikhil_cric @Sachin fan .

And dw, I'm being 100% rn, I think Afghanistan are winning. Tmr we shall see if the curse ends or not

 

[Ali Active]

I think Afghanistan might win this one tbh. But if Afghanistan loses.

@Nikhil_cric @Sachin fan .

And dw, I'm being 100% rn, I think Afghanistan are winning. Tmr we shall see if the curse ends or not

i dont see afghanistan winning they will get close but likely lose again

 

[mominsaigol]

i dont see afghanistan winning they will get close but likely lose again

I think they have the pitch advantage which compensates for their squad being overall weaker

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Pakistan will face Afghanistan in the opening match of the Tri-series, starting on 29 August at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) are the third side in the tournament.

The final of the tournament will be played between the top two sides on Sunday, 7 September. All matches will be staged at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

The 17-member Pakistan squad will be led by Salman Ali Agha, who has captained the team in 18 matches.

Since arriving in the UAE on 20 August, Pakistan have held training sessions and practice matches in Dubai to prepare for the competition.

The series offers all three teams’ valuable preparation ahead of the eight-team ACC Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from 9 to 28 September.

In head-to-head, Pakistan have played seven T20Is against Afghanistan, winning four, while their only T20I against the UAE came in the 2016 Asia Cup, which Pakistan won.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha on the eve of the tournament said:

“This tri-series will greatly help us in our preparations for the Asia Cup. I am very excited about it and I know it will be a challenging contest for which we are fully ready.

“Leading the Pakistan team is not only an honour for me but also a great responsibility. The team is playing good cricket at the moment and I am hopeful we will continue to deliver strong performances in the matches ahead.”