The cricket rivalry between Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is getting more intense with every contest. Both teams are currently competing in the 2025 T20I Tri-Nation Series in Sharjah, where Pakistan is the third participant. With the Asia Cup 2025 approaching, these games are crucial as teams fine-tune their squads.
Recent Match — Afghanistan vs UAE (1 September 2025)
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Result | Afghanistan won by 38 runs |
| Afghanistan Batting | 188/4 in 20 overs |
| Top Scorers | Ibrahim Zadran (63), Sediqullah Atal (54) |
| UAE Bowling | Sharafuddin Ashraf (3 wickets), Rashid Khan (3 wickets) |
| Milestone | Rashid Khan became the leading wicket-taker in T20Is (165 wickets) |
| Venue | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025 — Schedule
| Match No. | Fixture | Date | Time (GMT / Local) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pakistan vs Afghanistan | 29 Aug 2025 | 15:00 / 19:00 |
| 2 | Pakistan vs UAE | 30 Aug 2025 | 15:00 / 19:00 |
| 3 | Afghanistan vs UAE | 1 Sep 2025 | 15:00 / 19:00 |
| 5 | Pakistan vs UAE | 4 Sep 2025 | 15:00 / 19:00 |
| 6 | Afghanistan vs UAE | 5 Sep 2025 | 15:00 / 19:00 |
| Final | Top two teams (TBD) | 7 Sep 2025 | 15:00 / 19:00 |
📍 All matches are being played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Key Talking Points
Afghanistan
- Rashid Khan continues his dominance, now the top T20I wicket-taker.
- Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal produced strong batting displays.
- Afghanistan remain favorites for the final after their strong start.
UAE
- Despite losses, bowlers like Sharafuddin Ashraf have impressed with tight spells.
- Still in contention for the final — but must win upcoming matches.
- Valuable exposure before the Asia Cup 2025.
Tournament Context
- This tri-series is the last preparation for teams before the Asia Cup 2025, starting 9 September in the UAE.
- Building momentum here is key for success in the continental event.
What’s Next?
| Fixture | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan vs UAE | 4 September 2025 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| Afghanistan vs UAE | 5 September 2025 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| Final (TBD) | 7 September 2025 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
These fixtures will decide who reaches the grand finale — and with their current form, Afghanistan already look like strong contenders.
