Pakistan’s dominant win in the tri-series final didn’t just earn them a trophy—it sent a loud, confident signal ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup. In Sharjah on September 7, 2025, Mohammad Nawaz’s spectacular magic with the ball (and a rare hat-trick) helped seal a convincing 75-run victory over Afghanistan. It’s the kind of performance that makes fans sit up and say, “Here we go.”
1. A Final Full of Flair — The Scoreline Speaks
Chasing 142, Afghanistan crumbled to a meek 66 all out, dismantled by smart, disciplined spin bowling. Pakistan’s total of 141/8 wasn’t overwhelming, but it was enough—especially under the hands of Nawaz and company.
2. Mohammad Nawaz: The Match-Winner
Bowling brilliance: Nawaz carved up the Afghan batting, finishing with eye-popping figures of 5 for 19, including a hat-trick—making him only the third Pakistani to bag a T20I hat-trick.
A bit of batting shine: He even chipped in with 25 off 21 balls, peppering the innings with two sixes—adding unexpected momentum.
Tactical maestro: Nawaz’s control and accuracy turned rough patches into breakthroughs, the kind of performance that coaches highlight in locker-room DVDs.
3. Building the Winning Foundations
Opening statement: The Asia Cup warm-up began strongly with a 39-run win over Afghanistan in the series opener. Captain Salman Agha poured in a composed unbeaten half-century, while Haris Rauf wreaked havoc with the ball.
Smooth progression: The form continued against UAE, where Pakistan again beat them by 31 runs, carrying forward momentum into the final.
Team spirit on show: With stalwarts like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan absent, Faheem Ashraf quipped—“We don’t even miss our family”—underlining the squad’s confidence and camaraderie.
4. What This Win Means for Asia Cup Ambitions
Spin-friendly conditions: Sharjah’s pitches were clearly conducive to spin—a fact Nawaz and co. capitalized on. Pakistan’s ability to exploit this will be key in the Asia Cup.
Trust in emerging stars: The combination of Salman’s leadership, Nawaz’s all-round impact, and a confident bowling unit gives Pakistan a balanced setup.
Momentum and morale: Going into a high-stakes Asia Cup starting September 9, 2025, Pakistan enters as confident, battle-tested front-runners.
5. Fan-Worthy Moments and Takeaways
Tactical triumph: Choosing to bat first proved pivotal, as the pitch deteriorated and became increasingly challenging. Smart captaincy decisions paid off.
A class-act from Nawaz: In a tournament filled with big hitters and seasoned players, Nawaz stepped up with both bat and ball—an all-rounder delivering in big moments.
Laughs amidst intensity: Faheem Ashraf’s joke about not missing his family brought a light-hearted moment that humanizes the squad amid serious cricketing business.
Conclusion – Asia Cup Looks Brighter
Pakistan’s tri-series success in Sharjah has laid down a clear blueprint: spin mastery, fearless intent, and team depth—even when missing Q-tier names. As the Asia Cup looms, this victory isn’t just a trophy—it’s a statement.