The third match of the ongoing T20I Tri-Series in Sharjah between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan on Monday promised an intriguing contest as both teams looked to bounce back after suffering defeats against Pakistan.
After winning the toss, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem opted to field first, aiming to restrict Afghanistan to a total below 160 runs. However, the plan did not unfold as intended, with Afghanistan cruising towards a formidable score at 116/2 in 13 overs at the time of filing this report.
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Hosts UAE take on Afghanistan in match three of the Inverex Solar Energy presents Bank Alfalah T20I Tri-Series 2025.
Action begins at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium at 7pm tonight!
Best wishes for team UAE! 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/Nyx14Tb05e— UAE Cricket Official (@EmiratesCricket) September 1, 2025
There was no specific reason behind choosing to bowl first other than trusting the conditions to remain consistent throughout the match. The Sharjah pitch appeared evenly prepared with a hint of early assistance for the bowlers due to the fresh surface. Coupled with UAE’s intent to recover from their earlier setback against Pakistan, the decision reflected a cautious, defensive approach in the initial stages of the game.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, welcomed the toss outcome. Their captain, Rashid Khan, revealed that his side had planned to bat first, making the result align perfectly with their strategy. Khan stressed the importance of playing simple cricket and learning from the mistakes of their previous match. Coming into this clash also after a defeat to Pakistan, Afghanistan were determined to register their first win of the tournament. Their dominant record against UAE nine wins in twelve T20I encounters added further confidence as they took the field.
Both teams made one change each to their playing XIs. UAE introduced Harshit Kaushik in place of Alishan Sharafu, while Muhammad Rohid replaced Muhammad Jawadullah. These changes were aimed at injecting fresh energy, particularly in the bowling department, where UAE had struggled in their opening game. Afghanistan brought in Sharafuddin Ashraf for Fareed Ahmad to strengthen their all-round balance and tweak their spin-bowling options for the Sharjah conditions.
The surface in Sharjah had previously favoured spinners, but the fresh pitch for this contest was expected to provide a fairer battle between bat and ball. Early moisture indicated the potential for some movement with the new ball, making UAE’s decision to bowl first a calculated gamble.
For Afghanistan, the challenge was to capitalise on their superior head-to-head record while countering the psychological edge UAE hoped to gain by bowling first. Rashid Khan’s side was determined to produce a strong batting performance, one that would not only post a competitive total but also set the tone for the remainder of the tri-series. With Pakistan already leading the points table, the stakes for this fixture were high, as victory would keep either side’s hopes of making the final alive.
As play unfolded, the atmosphere in Sharjah carried a mix of anticipation and urgency. The toss set the stage for a battle of contrasting strategies: UAE banking on disciplined bowling and a controlled chase, while Afghanistan relied on their experience and batting depth to dictate terms. Whether UAE’s plan to contain their opponents would succeed or Afghanistan’s aggressive approach with the bat would prevail remained to be seen. But one thing was certain: this was a crucial clash with the potential to shape the tournament’s course.
