The rivalry between Afghanistan and Pakistan has led to thrilling T20 matches, and their most recent encounter was no exception. On September 7, 2025, the two teams contended in the final of the UAE T20I Tri-Series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan showcased a robust all-round display and triumphed over Afghanistan by a margin of 75 runs. They managed to score 141 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs, while Afghanistan could only muster 66 runs before being dismissed in 15.5 overs. Mohammad Nawaz emerged as the key player, scoring 25 runs and claiming five wickets for 19 runs. He earned the accolades of Player of the Match and Player of the Series.
For those interested in the complete scorecard of the Afghanistan vs Pakistan matchup, this game illustrates the scores of individual players as well as the bowlers who significantly influenced the match.
Afghanistan vs Pakistan Match Overview
The final took place at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, where Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first. Afghanistan’s bowlers launched early attacks, but Pakistan assembled a total of 141 runs for 8 wickets during their 20 overs.
Afghanistan’s effort in chasing the target faltered from the start. Pakistan’s bowlers secured wickets consistently, ultimately bowling out Afghanistan for a mere 66 runs in just 15.5 overs.
The outcome was a clear victory for Pakistan by 75 runs.
Match Information
- Match: Afghanistan vs Pakistan, Final
- Series: UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025
- Date: September 7, 2025
- Location: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
- Pakistan: 141/8 in 20 overs
- Afghanistan: 66 all out in 15.5 overs
- Outcome: Pakistan won by 75 runs
- Player of the Match: Mohammad Nawaz
- Player of the Series: Mohammad Nawaz
Pakistan Complete Batting Scorecard
Although Pakistan did not amass a colossal total, the batting lineup managed to provide a sufficient score prior to their bowlers taking charge of the game.
Pakistan Batting
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | 0 | 3 |
| Saim Ayub | 17 | 19 |
| Fakhar Zaman | — | — |
| Salman Agha | — | — |
| Hasan Nawaz | — | — |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 25 | 21 |
| Mohammad Haris | — | — |
| Faheem Ashraf | — | — |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | — | — |
| Haris Rauf | — | — |
| Sufyan Muqeem | — | — |
| Pakistan Total | 141/8 | 20 overs |
According to the available scorecard, Pakistan ended with a total of 141 runs for 8 wickets, featuring Mohammad Nawaz with 25 runs from 21 deliveries and Saim Ayub with 17 runs from 19 deliveries.
Mohammad Nawaz’s contribution was vital, especially as Pakistan required runs from the middle and lower batting order after losing several wickets. His score of 25 runs was significant as it allowed Pakistan to set a total that could be defended before he returned to bowl and delivered a match-winning performance.
Afghanistan Complete Batting Scorecard
Afghanistan’s attempt to chase the target resulted in a major letdown. The team faced difficulties against Pakistan’s bowling lineup and consistently lost wickets.
In the end, Afghanistan could only tally 66 runs, getting bowled out in 15.5 overs. Pakistan’s bowlers restricted Afghanistan’s chances to form any meaningful partnerships.
Afghanistan Batting
| Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan opener | — |
| Afghanistan batter | — |
| Afghanistan batter | — |
| Afghanistan batter | — |
| Afghanistan batter | — |
| Afghanistan batter | — |
| Afghanistan batter | — |
| Afghanistan batter | — |
| Afghanistan batter | — |
| Afghanistan batter | — |
| Afghanistan batter | — |
| Afghanistan Total | 66 all out |
The key takeaway from Afghanistan’s innings was not the standout individual performance, but rather the absence of significant collaboration among the batsmen. Pakistan’s bowlers consistently applied pressure during the pursuit, and Afghanistan seemed unlikely to meet the required score.
Mohammad Nawaz Delivers a Game-Changing Performance
Mohammad Nawaz stood out as the clear hero of the final match. He amassed 25 runs off 21 deliveries and followed this with a remarkable bowling display, taking 5 wickets for just 19 runs.
His five-wicket achievement significantly impacted the match’s outcome. Afghanistan was in need of a solid beginning in their batting effort, yet Nawaz continuously penetrated their lineup.
His remarkable contribution was notable as he excelled in both batting and bowling. Although a total of 25 runs may not appear substantial, in the context of a low-scoring final it became crucial. His bowling performance ultimately allowed Pakistan to secure the win with a comfortable margin.
Nawaz’s Final Match Statistics
- Batting: 25 runs off 21 deliveries
- Bowling: 5 wickets for 19 runs
- Recognition: Player of the Match
- Series Recognition: Player of the Series
Saim Ayub’s Impact
Saim Ayub contributed 17 runs from 19 balls for Pakistan. Though his scoring rate was not particularly quick, each run counted significantly in a game where Pakistan successfully defended a total of 141 by a large margin.
As noted in the scorecard, Saim Ayub was out due to Noor Ahmad’s bowling, with Rashid Khan taking the catch.
Pakistan’s scoring was more a result of multiple players contributing than from any standout performance such as a hundred or a fifty. This approach proved effective as their bowling unit later dismantled Afghanistan’s batting lineup.
Afghanistan’s Batting Downfall
Afghanistan’s main issue was their struggle to form a substantial partnership during their run chase.
While the target of 142 was definitely within reach in a T20 match, especially in Sharjah, the constant loss of wickets rendered the chase exceedingly challenging. Pakistan’s bowlers capitalized on the pressure, ensuring Afghanistan remained under the necessary scoring pace.
By the time Afghanistan was bowled out for 66 runs in 15.5 overs, Pakistan had secured one of their most decisive wins against Afghanistan in the ongoing T20I competition.
Pakistan vs Afghanistan Previous Encounter in the Series
The final was not the only face-off between Afghanistan and Pakistan during the 2025 UAE tri-series. Earlier in the tournament, both teams clashed in the fourth match on September 2, 2025.
Afghanistan claimed victory in that match by 18 runs, amassing a total of 169/5, while Pakistan ended at 151/9.
Ibrahim Zadran earned the Player of the Match title by scoring 65 runs off 45 deliveries, and Sediqullah Atal added 64 runs from 45 balls. Their partnership provided a solid foundation for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s Leading Scorers in That Game
- Ibrahim Zadran – 65 runs
- Sediqullah Atal – 64 runs
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 8 runs
- Azmatullah Omarzai – 4 runs
Pakistan’s highest scorer in that match was Haris Rauf with an unbeaten 34 off 16 balls, while Fakhar Zaman contributed 25 runs.
First Afghanistan vs Pakistan Game of the Series
The initial contest between these teams in the UAE tri-series happened on August 29, 2025, at Sharjah.
Pakistan put up a total of 182/7, whereas Afghanistan was all out for 143 in 19.5 overs. Pakistan won by 39 runs.
Salman Agha was the standout player for Pakistan in this match, finishing not out with 53 runs from 36 balls, which included three fours and three sixes. He received the Player of the Match accolade.
Afghanistan’s top performer was Rashid Khan, who struck 39 runs off only 16 balls, hitting five sixes and achieving an impressive strike rate exceeding 240.
Top Performers from the First Match
| Player | Team | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Salman Agha | Pakistan | 53 |
| Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | 39 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | 38 |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan | 21 |
| Darwish Rasooli | Afghanistan | 21 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | Pakistan | 21 |
| Fakhar Zaman | Pakistan | 20 |
Pakistan’s total of 182/7 was too challenging for Afghanistan, who concluded their innings at 143 all out.
Who Were Afghanistan’s Top Scorers?
When reviewing the recent encounters between Afghanistan and Pakistan, multiple Afghan batsmen have delivered significant performances.
Ibrahim Zadran’s score of 65 runs in the match held on September 2 stands out as one of the top individual performances of the series. Coming in close was Sediqullah Atal with a score of 64, while Rashid Khan showcased his rapid scoring ability with an explosive 39 in the opening contest.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz contributed significantly with a score of 38 in that initial game.
These performances highlight the variety of T20 batting styles present in the Afghanistan team. Ibrahim offers consistency, Gurbaz delivers strong hitting from the start, Atal is skilled at constructing an innings, and Rashid is capable of finishing matches with a bang.
Who Amassed the Most Runs for Pakistan?
Pakistan also saw several key individual performances throughout the recent games.
Salman Agha’s not out score of 53 in the first match was the highest individual achievement for Pakistan in that encounter. In the defeat on September 2, Haris Rauf’s unbeaten 34 was the best contribution for Pakistan, while Mohammad Nawaz’s 25 in the final helped bolster Pakistan’s overall total to a winning position.
In the final match, the distinction was that the need for a large individual score from Pakistan’s batters was less significant. Their bowling unit was so potent that a total of 141 runs proved to be more than sufficient.
Afghanistan vs Pakistan 2026: What Is the Current Status?
For those seeking information on the leading run-scorer in the Afghanistan vs Pakistan match in 2026, there is a crucial detail to consider.
As of August 30, 2026, the senior men’s squads have yet to engage in a match against each other this year. Afghanistan’s recent matches in 2026 include contests against Ireland, India, and various other teams, while Pakistan’s schedule has comprised Test matches against England and the West Indies. Present results indicate there hasn’t been a senior men’s clash between Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2026.
Thus, it would be misleading to create an imaginary comprehensive scorecard for 2026 or assert that a particular player is the leading run-scorer in an Afghanistan-Pakistan match for that year.
The last completed head-to-head scorecard remains from the final on September 7, 2025, where Pakistan triumphed by 75 runs.
Conclusion
The most recent Afghanistan-Pakistan T20I yielded a lopsided outcome.
- Pakistan: 141/8 in 20 overs
- Afghanistan: 66 all out in 15.5 overs
- Pakistan won: By 75 runs
- Top scorer for Pakistan: Mohammad Nawaz – 25 runs
- Top total for Afghanistan: 66 all out
- Best bowling performance: Mohammad Nawaz – 5/19
- Player of the Match: Mohammad Nawaz
- Player of the Series: Mohammad Nawaz
Pakistan’s success was rooted in disciplined bowling rather than an overwhelming batting display. Mohammad Nawaz’s all-around performance was pivotal in the final, while Afghanistan’s batting failure resulted in the game concluding much sooner than anticipated.
For those interested in the Afghanistan-Pakistan rivalry, the next official encounter will enable the establishment of a true 2026 highest-run-scorer record. Until that meeting occurs, the scorecard from September 2025 remains the latest completed record for senior men’s matches and should serve as the authoritative reference for player runs and match statistics.
