Pakistan vs Afghanistan Cricket Score: Pakistan won by 39 runs

The Pakistan vs Afghanistan Cricket Score from the UAE Tri-Series 2025 opener brought fans exactly what they wanted—big sixes, fiery spells, and moments of breathtaking intensity. Pakistan held their nerve and defeated Afghanistan by 39 runs, setting the perfect tone for this much-anticipated tournament that also features New Zealand.

Before analyzing the match in depth, let’s take a look at the complete scoreboard in tabular form.

Pakistan vs Afghanistan Cricket Scoreboard – 1st T20I, UAE Tri-Series 2025

Match Result: Pakistan won by 39 runs

Pakistan Innings – 182/7 (20 Overs)

Batsman	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Strike Rate
Salman Ali Agha (c)	53*	36	4	2	147.2
Fakhar Zaman	20	17	2	0	117.6
Mohammad Haris	15	13	2	0	115.4
Others	94	—	—	—	—
Total	182/7	20 Ov	—	—	—

Afghanistan Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Runs	Wickets	Economy
Rashid Khan	4	26	1	6.50
Mujeeb ur Rahman	4	22	1	5.50
Fareed Ahmad	4	47	2	11.75

Afghanistan Innings – 143/10 (19.5 Overs)

Batsman	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Strike Rate
Rahmanullah Gurbaz	38	27	4	2	140.7
Rashid Khan	39	16	2	4	243.7
Ibrahim Zadran	9	11	1	0	81.8
Others	57	—	—	—	—
Total	143/10	19.5 Ov	—	—	—

Pakistan Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Runs	Wickets	Economy
Haris Rauf	3.5	31	4	8.08
Shaheen Afridi	4	21	2	5.25
Sufiyan Muqeem	4	25	2	6.25
Mohammad Nawaz	4	23	2	5.75

Pakistan’s Batting: A Balanced Performance

The Pakistan vs Afghanistan Cricket Score highlighted the importance of middle-order stability. With the top order falling cheaply, captain Salman Ali Agha played a match-winning knock, scoring 53* off 36 balls. His ability to rotate strike and find gaps against Rashid Khan’s tricky spin stood out.

Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Haris chipped in with useful cameos, while Pakistan’s lower middle order ensured the total reached a competitive 182/7. Against Afghanistan’s bowling attack in Sharjah, that was always going to be defendable.

Afghanistan’s Chase: A Tale of Rashid’s Resistance

Chasing 183, Afghanistan started cautiously. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looked dangerous with a 27-ball 38, but Pakistan’s pace attack kept striking at regular intervals.

The biggest highlight of the Pakistan vs Afghanistan Cricket Score was Rashid Khan’s explosive innings. Walking in with Afghanistan almost out of the contest, he smashed 39 off just 16 balls, giving Pakistan a real scare. His sixes against Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf thrilled the Sharjah crowd.

However, without support from the top and middle order, Afghanistan fell short by 39 runs, bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs.

Pakistan’s Bowling: Pace and Spin in Tandem

The match underlined Pakistan’s depth in bowling. Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers with 4/31, consistently hitting speeds above 145 kph and mixing in clever slower deliveries. Shaheen Afridi provided the early breakthroughs, while youngsters Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with crucial wickets.

This bowling unit will be Pakistan’s biggest weapon throughout the tri-series, especially on UAE pitches that offer both swing and grip.

What This Win Means for Pakistan

For Pakistan, the Pakistan vs Afghanistan Cricket Score is not just about a win—it’s about momentum. Starting the tri-series with confidence puts them in a strong position ahead of their clash against New Zealand.

The team management will be pleased with:

• Salman Ali Agha’s captain’s knock under pressure.
• The return of Shaheen Afridi’s sharp swing bowling.
• Haris Rauf’s wicket-taking form.

But there are areas to address, particularly the need for a stronger opening partnership.

What Afghanistan Can Learn

While the defeat will sting, Afghanistan will take heart from Rashid Khan’s batting fireworks and Gurbaz’s aggressive approach. The Pakistan vs Afghanistan Cricket Score showed that Afghanistan still struggles with middle-order consistency, something they’ll need to fix quickly before their next game.

If their batters can provide a platform, the spin duo of Rashid and Mujeeb can easily choke opponents in the middle overs.

Why This Rivalry Matters

Over the years, Pakistan vs Afghanistan has become one of the most emotionally charged contests in cricket. The Pakistan vs Afghanistan Cricket Score is followed passionately by fans across both nations. The rivalry is built on competitive spirit, regional pride, and the sheer unpredictability of results.

With every encounter, the matches become more intense, adding to the folklore of modern T20 cricket.

Conclusion

The Pakistan vs Afghanistan Cricket Score in the UAE Tri-Series 2025 opener perfectly showcased why this rivalry is unmissable. Pakistan displayed balance in batting and depth in bowling to secure a 39-run win, while Afghanistan fought hard but lacked batting partnerships. Rashid Khan’s late fireworks kept the game alive, but Pakistan’s pace attack proved too strong in the end.

As the tri-series continues, cricket fans can expect more fireworks when these two teams meet again. For now, Pakistan will take confidence into their next match against New Zealand, while Afghanistan must regroup and strengthen their middle order. One thing is certain—the Pakistan vs Afghanistan Cricket Score will continue to be one of the most talked-about highlights of this series.

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