The white-ball battle between Pakistan and Afghanistan kicks off with the 1st T20I of the Tri-Series 2025 at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. With the Asia Cup just around the corner, both teams will look to make a statement and gain early momentum. Pakistan enter the contest with a blend of experience and fresh talent, while Afghanistan bring their trademark flair and spin-heavy attack, aiming to unsettle their higher-ranked rivals.
Live Streaming Info
Fans can watch Pak vs Afg 1st T20I live on PTV Sports (Pakistan), Sony Liv & FanCode (India), and Willow TV (USA). Match Start Time: 6:30 PM PST | 7:00 PM IST | 1:30 PM GMT.
Team Analysis
Pakistan enter Sharjah with a squad balanced between power-hitters, reliable anchors, and a potent bowling unit. Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub at the top provide explosive starts, with Fakhar’s big-hitting and Saim’s wristy strokeplay designed to dominate the powerplay. Shadab Khan, vice-captain and all-rounder, plays a dual role—anchoring the middle overs with the bat while offering attacking leg-spin to break partnerships.
The middle order is packed with finishers: Azam Khan brings fearless intent, while Iftikhar Ahmed adds muscle and the ability to clear the ropes in the death overs. Imad Wasim’s left-arm spin and lower-order batting strengthen Pakistan’s flexibility, while the pace battery remains their biggest asset. Shaheen Afridi’s leadership with the new ball, supported by Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, makes Pakistan’s fast-bowling trio one of the deadliest in T20 cricket. Usama Mir’s leg-spin offers a crucial weapon against Afghanistan’s aggressive middle order.
Afghanistan’s XI is built around aggression and spin supremacy. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai at the top provide fearless hitting, capable of dismantling Pakistan’s pace attack early. Ibrahim Zadran adds stability at No. 3, while experienced campaigners like Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi offer middle-order resilience. Rashid Khan, the captain, is not just the world’s premier leg-spinner but also a dangerous lower-order hitter who can turn games in a handful of balls.
Their bowling is spin-dominated: Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman will target Pakistan’s middle order, while Noor Ahmad provides variety with his left-arm spin. The pace attack, led by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq, adds variation with yorkers and slower deliveries—crucial on Sharjah’s slower surface. Afghanistan’s game plan will revolve around spin chokeholds in the middle overs and capitalising on powerplay breakthroughs.
Match Insights and Conclusion
The 1st T20I in Sharjah is set to test both teams’ adaptability on a surface historically known for low totals and spin assistance. For Pakistan, the key battle lies in countering Afghanistan’s spinners—Rashid, Mujeeb, and Noor—without losing momentum in the middle overs. For Afghanistan, the challenge will be surviving Pakistan’s pace trio with the new ball and preventing early collapses inside the powerplay.
Conditions in Sharjah suggest a track favouring spinners and cutters, making strike rotation and smart placement more valuable than brute force. Batters who can adjust their tempo will hold the edge. Pakistan start as favourites given their pace-bowling depth and wider batting options, but Afghanistan’s fearless batting and spin mastery ensure this clash is far from one-sided. A win here would boost Afghanistan’s belief heading into the series, while for Pakistan, victory would set the tone for dominance before the Asia Cup. Expect a tense, tactical, and high-intensity opening to the tri-series. If you want to watch Pak Vs Afg live, scroll above and click on the link provided.
