UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025, 6th T20I, Review: Afghanistan break UAE hearts in Sharjah with last-over win

Published - 06 Sept 2025, 10:20 IST | Updated - 06 Sept 2025, 10:24 IST

Afghanistan defeated a spirited UAE side in the inconsequential sixth game in the UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, September 5.

Having already booked their spot in the final, the Blue Tigers decided to make six changes to their playing XI from the last game. Ibrahim Zadran took up the leadership responsibility in the absence of Rashid Khan. He won the toss and opted to bat first.

The stand-in captain played a brilliant knock, scoring 48 off just 35 balls at the top of the order. He added 98 runs for the first wicket with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who struggled to play his natural game. Gurbaz was dismissed off the last ball of the 12th over for a 38-ball 40 while Zadran was dismissed off the following delivery.

A couple of overs later, Mohammad Ishaq was sent packing by Simranjeet Singh. Karim Janat (28 off 14 balls) and Gulbadin Naib (20* off 14 balls) played excellent cameos to give the tourists some much-needed impetus towards the back end of the innings. Azmatullah Omarzai also chipped in with an unbeaten nine-ball 14.

Haider Ali was the pick of the bowlers for the UAE. The left-arm spinner bagged two wickets and conceded just 23 runs in his four overs as Afghanistan were restricted to 170/4 in their 20 overs.

UAE captain Muhammad Waseem gave his team a rollicking start, smashing 44 off just 29 balls. Alishan Sharafu (27 off 23) and Muhammad Zohaib (23 off 19) got off to starts but could not capitalise. Rahul Chopra, on the other hand, was dismissed cheaply.

Asif Khan joined forces with Harshit Kaushik and tried to take the UAE over the line. The former was the more destructive batter, as he took the attack to the Afghanistan bowlers.

With 17 runs needed off the final over, and two set batters at the crease, Asif hit a four and a six off the first two balls to put seamer Fareed Ahmad under pressure. However, the latter bounced back strongly, conceding just two runs off the next three deliveries. With five required off the final delivery, Fareed got the wicket of Asif to break the hearts of the UAE fans.