Nawaz’s five-wicket haul powers Pakistan to win T20I tri-series

Pakistan clinched the T20I tri-series title with a comprehensive 75-run victory over Afghanistan in the final at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday, powered by Mohammad Nawaz’s exceptional bowling performance.

Batting first, Pakistan posted 141-8 in their 20 overs. After losing opener Sahibzada Farhan for a duck, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman added 49 runs for the second wicket.

Saim scored 17 off 19 balls, while Fakhar made 27 off 26. Middle-order contributions from Hasan Nawaz (15) and Mohammad Haris (2) came under pressure from Afghanistan’s bowlers.

Skipper Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Nawaz steadied the innings with a 40-run partnership before late wickets fell, leaving Pakistan at 141-8. Rashid Khan was Afghanistan’s most successful bowler with 3/38.

In reply, Afghanistan was bowled out for just 66 runs. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for 5 in the first over, followed by regular dismissals that left the team reeling.

Mohammad Nawaz produced a brilliant spell, claiming five wickets for 19 runs, including a hat-trick in the seventh over.

Abrar Ahmed took two wickets, Sufiyan Muqeem two, and Shaheen Afridi one. Afghanistan’s Sufiyan Muqeem and AM Ghazanfar offered minor resistance but could not prevent a heavy defeat.