Afghanistan and Pakistan open the United Arab Emirates T20I Tri-Series 2025 with a marquee encounter at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Afghanistan enters full of belief, having won three of the last five T20Is against Pakistan, with their exceptional spin trio dominating such conditions. Pakistan aims to regroup under new leadership, fielding a potent pace unit but needing more consistency from its talented but unproven batting order. Recent results and the Sharjah pitch promise a fascinating, tactical start to this important build-up for both teams ahead of the Asia Cup.
Afghanistan vs Pakistan Win Probability: UAE T20I Tri-Series 1st Match
AFG vs PAK Batting Tips: 1st T20I Match
Afghanistan vs Pakistan, UAE Tri-Series 1st Match Details
| Match | UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025 – Match 1st |
| Date | Friday, August 29, 2025 |
| Time | 08:30 PM (IST), 07:00 PM (Local) |
| Venue | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah |
| Live Streaming (TV) | Eurosport |
| Live Streaming (Mobile) | Fancode |
AFG vs PAK Match Prediction & Analysis (Who Will Win?)
Afghanistan’s world-class spinners are perfectly suited for Sharjah’s slow, turning surface. Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad can control the game, with support from a batting order where Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran give spark up top and experienced finishers like Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib hold the middle and death overs. The template for Afghan wins remains early runs and spin chokeholds.
Pakistan will lean on explosive starts from Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub with a solid middle order led by Agha Salman and depth from Haris and Khushdil Shah, but will be truly tested against disciplined Afghan spin. Pakistan’s attack-featuring Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and more-can turn games up front but may find Sharjah’s spin favoring conditions a tough balancing act.
Afghanistan’s superior comfort and record in these conditions, particularly with spin, narrowly tips the contest their way.
Afghanistan vs Pakistan Head to Head (T20I)
| Total Match Played | 07 |
| AFG Won | 03 |
| PAK Won | 04 |
| Draw/No Result | 00 |
Afghanistan vs Pakistan Teams Preview (Top Players to Bat On)
Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s campaign hinged on aggressive starts from Gurbaz and Zadran followed by middle and lower order experience: Nabi, Naib, Janat, and Omarzai. The historic spin trio-Rashid, Mujeeb, Noor Ahmad-is Afghanistan’s ticket to success, supported by effective new-ball pace from Farooqi and Naveen.
AFG Probable Playing XI-
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (C), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq
Top Player to Bat On- Rahmanullah Gurbaz & Azmatullah Omarzai.
Pakistan
Pakistan’s success relies on Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub setting a brisk platform, with Agha Salman anchoring the middle order, and hitters like Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Haris adding late fireworks. Their pace battery-Shaheen, Rauf, Hasan Ali-could shake Afghanistan’s top order, but the spinners (Abrar, Nawaz) are less potent than the Afghan trio.
PAK Probable Playing XI-
Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (C), Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (WK), Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
Top Player to Bat On- Fakhar Zaman & Saim Ayub
AFG vs PAK Weather & Pitch Report
Sharjah offers a slow, low, and turn-friendly track with short boundaries. Early overs offer some pace for seam, but spinners dominate as the ball ages. Average first-innings T20 score this season is 172; teams batting first should push for 180+. Dew is a factor, making chases easier-expect teams to prefer bowling first. The weather is expected to be hot and dry, about 34°C, with little chance of rain.
AFG vs PAK Fantasy Teams
Fantasy 11 suggestions are only for users outside India as per the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025.
- Wicket-keeper- Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Haris
- Batter- Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub
- All-rounder- Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Agha Salman, Azmatullah Omarzai
- Bowler- Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Mujeeb ur Rahman
Pro Tip- Always update your fantasy squad after the announced playing XIs, normally about 30 minutes before the match start time, to reflect last-minute changes.
Disclaimer- These predictions and fantasy team suggestions are provided for entertainment purposes only and intended for users outside India. We do not promote or facilitate any illegal activity or violations of Indian law.
