PAK vs AFG: Afghanistan send out clear warning ahead of Asia Cup 2025 as Rashid Khan's men stun Pakistan in Sharjah

Before the start of the ongoing T20I tri-series, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan emphasized on playing good cricket. On Tuesday, Afghanistan played good cricket as Rashid Khan's men stunned Pakistan by 18 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Ground, thus sending a clear warning to all the teams ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, which starts later this month. 

Having not played a single T20I in 2025, Afghanistan surrendered in front of Pakistan by 39 runs in the tri-series opener. But they made a strong statement in their next two games, by winning against United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan to ease their passage into the final. 

Batting first, Rahmanullah Gurbaz once again faltered at the top but Sediqullah Atal (64) and Ibrahim Zadran (65) laid the foundation with a 100-plus partnership for the second wicket. The score could have been more for Afghanistan had Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi chipped in with the bat. Afghanistan managed 169/5 in 20 overs.  

In reply, Pakistan never got going in chase as Afghanistan bowlers kept on taking wickets at regular intervals.