UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025 - 4th T20I, Review: Atal, Ibrahim, bowlers seal comfortable victory for Afghanistan

Afghanistan produced an impressive performance in Sharjah, outclassing Pakistan by 18 runs in the fourth T20I of the UAE Tri-Series. Thanks to the century stand between Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran and followed by a collective bowling effort, the Rashid Khan-led team leveled points with their neighbors, keeping their campaign alive.

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan had a poor start as they lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz early. Following this, Atal and Ibrahim together produced one of Afghanistan’s finest T20I partnerships. 

The highlight moment came in the 14th over when they smashed 20 runs off Sufiyan Muqeem, with Atal reaching his fifty. Ibrahim too brought up a half-century soon after. Together, the pair added 113 runs, the second-highest stand for Afghanistan in T20Is.

Pakistan bounced back through Faheem Ashraf, who returned career-best figures of 4/27, dismissing Atal, Ibrahim, and later Mohammad Nabi. Despite his heroics, Afghanistan finished strongly with cameos from Karim Janat and Rashid to post 169/5.

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Pakistan began their chase brilliantly with Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman playing cautiously in the power play. However, the introduction of Afghanistan’s spinners turned the game completely.

Nabi removed Zaman, then Rashid ran out Salman Agha, and Noor Ahmad struck in his very first over to dismiss Hasan Nawaz. Pakistan suffered a shocking collapse, losing seven wickets for just 49 runs as Rashid, Noor, and Nabi, all of whom picked up two wickets each.

Haris Rauf’s late cameo of 34* off 16 balls, laced with four sixes, saw Pakistan finish at 151/9, still 18 runs short. Zadran was named Player of the Match for his 65 off 45.