The much-awaited final of the UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025 is here, with Pakistan taking on Afghanistan in Dubai. Pakistan skipper Salman Agha won the toss and had no hesitation in opting to bat first against Rashid Khan’s Afghanistan.
Both teams have had their moments in the group stage. Pakistan won the first clash between the two sides, but Afghanistan bounced back in style in their second meeting, dominating both with the bat and ball. That sets up tonight’s final nicely — a true decider between two evenly matched teams.
Here’s how the teams line up:
Pakistan Playing XI
Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed
Afghanistan Playing XI
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Mohammad Nabi, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Why the Toss Matters
If recent matches at this venue are anything to go by, the toss could play a big role. The surface has shown a clear pattern: batting first is easier, while chasing under lights gets trickier as the pitch breaks down. Slower balls grip more, spinners find turn, and stroke-making becomes harder.
That’s why Pakistan’s decision to bat first is not surprising. Runs on the board in a final can add serious pressure, especially with bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed ready to exploit the conditions later. On the other hand, Afghanistan will rely on Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad to make the most of the evening spin.
Pakistan’s Journey So Far
Pakistan began the tri-series strongly, putting in a solid performance in their first clash against Afghanistan. Their top order looked sharp, and the bowling attack — led by Shaheen Afridi — made early inroads.
But consistency has been a concern. In their next meeting against the same opposition, the batting unit struggled, and Afghanistan’s spinners dictated terms. Pakistan will need their openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub to fire in the powerplay, while experienced hands like Fakhar Zaman and captain Salman Agha must hold the innings together.
With Shaheen spearheading the pace attack and Faheem Ashraf providing balance, Pakistan still look dangerous if they can post a competitive score.
Afghanistan’s Rise in the Series
Afghanistan, under Rashid Khan’s leadership, have grown stronger as the tournament has progressed. After losing their first meeting against Pakistan, they bounced back with an emphatic win in the return fixture. The batting, anchored by Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, clicked at the right time, while the spinners strangled Pakistan’s middle order.
Their strength lies in their all-round depth. Mohammad Nabi brings experience, Karim Janat and Omarzai add firepower, and the spin trio of Rashid, Noor Ahmad, and Ghazanfar can choke runs in the middle overs. If they chase, their openers will need to give them a strong start, but defending a total could be their preferred path.
What to Expect
- Powerplay Battle: Pakistan’s openers vs Afghanistan’s new-ball bowlers — whoever wins this sets the tone.
- Middle Overs Spin Test: Afghanistan’s spinners against Pakistan’s middle order could decide the game.
- Death Overs: With the pitch slowing down, hitting boundaries late might not be easy. Smart batting will be key.
The final promises to be a tight contest, with both teams eager to lift the trophy. Pakistan will bank on their batting depth and pace attack, while Afghanistan will trust their spin arsenal and Rashid’s tactical brilliance.
Live Score: Pakistan vs Afghanistan, Final
- Pakistan: 0/0 (0.0 overs)
- Match yet to begin (Day – Final)
- Pakistan elected to bat
Stay tuned for live updates as the match unfolds in Dubai.
