Rashid, Zadran, Atal Guide Afghanistan to First Tri-Series Win

News Desk

Islamabad: Afghanistan registered their first points in the ongoing tri-series with a 38-run victory over the UAE, thanks to an all-round display led by captain Rashid Khan, who not only derailed the hosts’ chase but also became the highest wicket-taker in men’s T20 internationals.

Set a target of 189, the UAE looked threatening while skipper Muhammad Waseem was at the crease. His blistering 37-ball 67 gave the hosts real hope, but once he fell, Afghanistan tightened their grip.

Rashid struck immediately after, removing Asif Khan first ball and later dismissing Ethan D’Souza and Dhruv Parashar to finish with figures of 3 for 21.

His spell sparked a middle-order collapse that left UAE too far behind despite a late unbeaten fifty from Rahul Chopra, who lifted his half-century with a six off the last ball.

Earlier, Afghanistan’s innings was anchored by a crucial 84-run partnership between Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal after an early setback.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell cheaply to Muhammad Rohid, leaving Afghanistan struggling through the opening overs. But Atal and Zadran changed the momentum, capitalizing on Saghir Khan’s wayward bowling in the sixth over that went for 18 runs.

Atal kept finding boundaries regularly, while Zadran cashed in on mistakes from Parashar to bring up the team’s 100 before the stand was broken.

Afghanistan’s acceleration came late. The UAE seamers had kept them in check for much of the innings, but the death overs proved costly. Azmatullah Omarzai provided the spark with a six that shifted gears, and Karim Janat’s explosive cameo against Rohid in the penultimate over was decisive—two sixes and two fours took 22 runs, undoing Rohid’s earlier tight spell. Afghanistan plundered 49 runs in the final three overs to finish above par.

Chasing 189, UAE started brightly with Waseem leading from the front. Unlike Afghanistan, they faced no early trouble, staying ahead of the required rate through the powerplay.

Waseem’s clean hitting included a towering six off Rashid, and by the ninth over UAE required just over nine per over with eight wickets in hand. But his dismissal to Sharafudin ignited Afghanistan’s comeback. With Asif Khan bowled first ball by Rashid, UAE lost momentum, and wickets tumbled quickly.

By the time Rashid completed his spell, UAE needed nearly 16 an over, a task beyond their remaining batters. Chopra’s fighting half-century only reduced the margin of defeat, as Afghanistan secured a much-needed win and moved off the bottom of the table.