Right then, that’s all from this game, where Afghanistan avenged their previous defeat against Pakistan! Up next in the UAE Tri-Nation Series is a face-off between the hosts and Pakistan on Thursday, 4th September. The Men in Green, having already beaten UAE once, will aim to complete the double, while the home side will be desperate for a win to keep their hopes alive and give their fans something to cheer about. The action kicks off at 3 pm GMT, and we’ll be here early with all the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Rashid Khan, the victorious skipper of Afghanistan, says that they got exactly what they were aiming for. Admits that it wasn’t easy to chase 170 around on this wicket, so the plan was always to get 160-plus and give their bowlers the best chance. Adds that the team has great bench strength, with everyone capable of doing the job whenever called upon, and selections often depend on the opposition. Rashid is particularly pleased with the way the two spinners, Allah Mohammad and Noor Ahmad, bowled, calling them great players at the very start of their journey. Praises both Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal for their batting and calls out that it is just the beginning for both of them, as they are class players. Stresses that reading the conditions is key, and the team will look to keep backing them and giving them more opportunities. Mentions that he came down the order to provide opportunities to the batters, who haven't played much and didn't get the game time. Ends by saying that they want to give every player opportunities before the Asia Cup to keep them ready.

Salman Agha, the captain of Pakistan, says that 170 was gettable and the bowlers did a very good job. Adds that looking at the games earlier, all of them were over 170 runs, but they lost a few too many wickets in the middle overs, and it made things very difficult. Mentions that Afghanistan have quality spinners, and if you give them any sniff, they will grab it. Says that they still back themselves as a chasing side, as with all of this, they still lost by 18 runs, so if they kept wickets in hand, things could have been different. Ends by saying that he is looking forward to the next game against the UAE.

Ibrahim Zadran is adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his impressive match-winning fifty. He says that he carried the confidence from the last game into this one, looking to set up the innings and build a solid partnership. Adds that he just tried to stay calm, avoid pressure, and focus on rotating the strike while targeting one bowler at a time. Highlights the trust and understanding he shares with Sediqullah Atal, especially having played together since the U-19 World Cup in 2020. Mentions that these are the things that helped them today, and they will look to keep doing the same in the future. Concludes by saying that he tried to target one bowler at a time and was focused on the team’s requirement, as he always has that kind of mindset.

Presentation Time...

Afghanistan once again showcased their bowling brilliance. Fazalhaq Farooqi, as he so often does, set the tone early with a couple of key wickets, including the prized scalp of Saim Ayub. From there, it was a spin masterclass, much like their display against the UAE the night before. Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Noor Ahmad completely owned the middle overs, squeezing Pakistan relentlessly and sharing six wickets between them to all but seal the win. The only blemish on an otherwise stellar performance was their fielding towards the end, where a few dropped catches and missed chances let Pakistan escape a bigger defeat.

Earlier in the game, Afghanistan posted a competitive total, with Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran once again leading the charge as both struck half-centuries and combined for a solid 113-run partnership. However, with little contribution from the rest of the batting order, they seemed to fall about 10-15 runs short of what could have been a commanding score. For Pakistan, Faheem Ashraf was outstanding, claiming four wickets and delivering brilliantly at the death, while Saim Ayub also grabbed a crucial scalp.

Pakistan’s chase never really found its footing. Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan managed a few powerful strokes, but no one stepped up to provide the steady hand their innings desperately needed. Their struggles against spin were glaring, and it was surprising to see them falter so heavily in that department. Salman Agha’s unfortunate run-out only added to their woes, sparking a collapse from 75/4 to 111/9 as the innings unravelled. With only three batters touching 20 and Haris Rauf ending up as their highest scorer with 34, it perfectly summed up a disappointing outing.

A statement win for Afghanistan over their fiercest rivals! This is one they’ll cherish for a long time, having completely outclassed the opposition in every department and playing with passion and purpose. Back-to-back wins now put them level with Pakistan in this Tri-Series, but the drama is far from over - all three teams are still in with a chance at making the final, a long shot for UAE, but still setting the stage for a thrilling finish!

Azmatullah Omarzai to bowl the last over.