Pakistan Kicks Off UAE T20I Tri-Series by Batting First Against Afghanistan

In the highly anticipated opening match of the United Arab Emirates T20I Tri-Series, Pakistan secured the toss and elected to bat first against Afghanistan. This series is not just a standalone tournament but also serves as a critical rehearsal for both teams, alongside the UAE, ahead of the impending Asia Cup.

The fixture at the heart of this contest brings a fresh perspective to the cricketing rivalry, especially given Afghanistan's previous triumph over Pakistan in the semi-final of the Asian Games in 2023.

Pre-match scenes captured head coaches Jonathan Trott and Mike Hesson in a thoughtful exchange, setting the tone for what promised to be an engaging contest.

Team Lineups and Strategy

Pakistan's team selection for the opener showcased a reliance on a streamlined bowling attack, featuring only three specialist bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Sufiyan Muqeem. A significant return to the squad was Fakhar Zaman, back in action after recovering from an injury, bolstering the batting lineup.

Conversely, Afghanistan, playing their first T20I since February, opted for a spin-heavy strategy, a move underlined by the inclusion of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, and captain Rashid Khan. Rashid Khan, despite his team's composition, acknowledged a preference to bowl first had he won the toss, stating, "We would have bowled first had we won the toss."

Playing XIs:

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem.

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (capt), Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmed.