At Sharjah Cricket Stadium on September 5th, as part of the UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025, Afghanistan narrowly defeated the United Arab Emirates by 4 runs in a thrilling match. Up to the very last ball of the game, spectators remained engrossed due to the thrilling batting, the nerve-wracking bowling intervals, and the nail-biting ending.
Concise Match Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | September 5, 2025 |
| Venue | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| Format | T20 International (World Cup T20 format) |
| Result | Afghanistan won by 4 runs |
| Afghanistan Score | 170/4 in 20 overs |
| UAE Score | 166/5 in 20 overs |
Batting Stats for Afghanistan’s Victory
Afghanistan batted brilliantly after choosing to bat first. The foundation was solidly built with the opening duet:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 40 runs off 38 balls with composure and control.
- Ibrahim Zadran – 48 runs off 35 balls, showing aggression and timing with 3 fours and 1 six.
- Karim Janat – 28 runs off just 14 balls, providing a remarkable late burst in the last overs.
- Gulbadin Naib & Azmatullah Omarzai – lower-order contributions that pushed the total to a competitive 170/4.
The batting was aggressive without being reckless, and they managed to prevent consecutive wicket losses.
The UAE’s Brave Effort
The United Arab Emirates began their pursuit with conviction, prepared to leave an impact on the superior team:
- Muhammad Waseem – provided attacking firepower in the early stages.
- Alishan Sharafu – played a key role in preventing an initial spike in the required run rate.
- Asif Khan – thunderous 40 off only 28 balls that nearly altered the game’s trajectory.
The UAE’s chase remained alive till the final over, but Afghanistan’s bowlers held their composure to secure a thrilling win.
Notable Moments from the Match
- Zadran’s Sixes in the Powerplay: Back-to-back sixes lifted Afghan spirits early.
- Janat’s Late Carnage: A fiery cameo in the death overs ensured Afghanistan crossed 170 runs.
- Asif Khan’s Counterattack: A flurry of boundaries had UAE fans roaring as the equation dropped to nearly run-a-ball.
- Dramatic Final Over: UAE needed 10 runs off the last 6 balls. Fareed Ahmad bowled with composure, conceding only 5 runs.
- Spirit of Sportsmanship: Players exchanged smiles and handshakes, showcasing cricket’s unifying spirit.
Famous Strikes in Bowling
- Fareed Ahmad (AFG): The unsung hero of the final over with tight yorkers and variations.
- Noor Ahmad (AFG): Middle-overs spin that put UAE’s chase under pressure.
- Simranjeet Singh (UAE): Fantastic spell, breaking momentum just when Afghanistan looked to accelerate.
This Win and What It Means
- For Afghanistan:
- Boost of confidence ahead of the series decider.
- Showed team depth, with multiple contributors rather than relying only on star names.
- For UAE:
- A narrow loss, but filled with positives.
- Batting proved they can compete with the best.
- Need to overcome death-over nerves for future victories.
Personal Review of the Match
As a cricket fan, this match had everything I love about the sport—drama, skill, and emotions running high. What stood out to me was not just Afghanistan’s victory, but how UAE fought with so much determination right till the final ball.
- Ibrahim Zadran looked classy, and his effortless sixes in the powerplay set the tone. He has the ability to anchor while still keeping the scoreboard moving.
- Karim Janat’s cameo was my personal favorite moment. The way he shifted gears in the last few overs made the difference between a defendable and a chaseable target.
- On the other side, Asif Khan’s fearless counterattack gave me goosebumps. For a while, it felt like UAE were going to snatch the game away.
- The last over from Fareed Ahmad was pure nerves of steel. To concede just 5 runs when 10 were needed under lights at Sharjah is the mark of a match-winner.
From a broader perspective, this wasn’t just about the scoreline—it was about character. Afghanistan showed they can hold their composure under pressure, while UAE proved they are no longer pushovers in world cricket.
Read More: India vs Pakistan: Historic Rivalry, Recent Encounters & Asia Cup 2025 Preview
Final Thoughts
The encounter between the UAE and Afghanistan on September 5th was a true roller coaster of emotions.
- Afghanistan showed resilience by defending a modest score.
- UAE displayed courage, resolve, and perseverance that impressed everyone.
- Key memories:
- Janat’s fireworks in the death overs.
- Zadran’s classy batting.
- Asif Khan’s fearless counterattack.
- Fareed Ahmad’s nerve in the final over, sealing a 4-run victory.
