Afghanistan Edge UAE in Thrilling Tri-Series Clash, Set Up Final Showdown with Pakistan

Afghanistan survived a late charge from Asif Khan to edge past the United Arab Emirates by just four runs in a nerve-jangling finish to the sixth match of the UAE Tri-Series in Sharjah on Friday, September 5, 2025. The victory marked Afghanistan’s third straight win, continuing their turnaround after a losing start against Pakistan.

Asked to bat first, Afghanistan posted 170 for 4, a total built on the back of consistent contributions from the top order. Skipper Ibrahim Zadran led from the front with a fluent 48 off 35 balls, laced with three fours and as many sixes, and was later named Player of the Match.

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Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided stability at the other end with a steady 40, before Karim Janat’s blistering 28 from 14 balls injected late momentum. Gulbadin Naib (20*) and Azmatullah Omarzai (14*) finished the innings strongly, taking Afghanistan past the 170-mark.

Asif Khan’s efforts in vain

The chase was always going to hinge on UAE’s experienced hitters, and skipper Muhammad Waseem set the tone with an aggressive 44 off 29 deliveries. His dismissal, however, checked UAE’s momentum. The innings then hinged on Asif Khan, who almost pulled off a miraculous heist.

Walking in with UAE requiring 65 off the last 46 balls, Asif launched a blistering counterattack, striking 40 off 28 balls with four boundaries and two sixes. His calculated hitting kept UAE alive, and with 43 needed off the last 18 balls, he carved boundaries to bring the equation down to 14 off the final over.

Afghanistan, though, held their nerve. Fareed Ahmad dismissed Asif off the very last ball of the innings, sealing a four-run win with UAE stranded at 166 for 5. The Afghan bowling unit, led by Noor Ahmad’s 1 for 23 and Sharafuddin Ashraf’s miserly 1 for 20, was tested but showed resilience under pressure.

Brief Scores

Afghanistan: 170/4 in 20 overs. Ibrahim Zadran 48, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 40; Haider Ali 2/23, Simranheet Singh 1/24

UAE: 166/5 in 20 overs. Muhammad Waseem 44, Asif Khan 40; Noor Ahmed 1/23, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1/27

Result: Afghanistan beat UAE by 4 runs.