T20 Asia-Cup 2025 Cricket tournament is currently underway in UAE. Pakistan team has entered this tournament winning T20 Tri-Nation-Series with much-needed confidence and some impressive displays, specially the victory in Tri-Nation-Series final against Afghanistan was a huge morale-booster.

Pakistan commenced their T20 Asia-Cup 2025 campaign against Oman. Pakistan won this match comfortably, posting 160/7 batting first and then bowled out Oman for mere 67. Wicket keeper batter Muhammad Haris back at number 3, scored a brilliant 66 (43) at a strike rate of 153.48 with 3 sixes and 7 boundaries. Pakistan’s bowling did really well specially the combination of 4 spinners, the spin-trio of Nawaz, Muqeem, Abrar along with the golden arm Saim Ayub chipped in with wickets and flattened Oman in just 16.4 overs.

Pakistan then clashed with arch-rivals India but lost the game badly. They chose to bat first and scored a below average total of 127/9. However, thanks to Shaheen Afridi, who scored a quick fire 33* (16) with 4 maximums, batting at number 9. In response, India chased down this unchallenging total in 15.5 overs with skipper SuryaKumar Yadav top scored 47* (37). Interestingly, Shaheen Shah Afridi smacked one sixer to highest wicket taker Kuldeep Yadav, launched massive one on the bowling of Varun Chakravarthy and deposited couple of meaty blows to Hardik, what does it mean?. It signifies that these bowlers are very much targetable. Our number 9 can do that, then what’s wrong with the other 8 batsmen, what’s really ailing them. Perhaps, they need to study the method of Heinrich Klaasen in 2024 T20 World Cup final against India, the way he handled and hammered the same Indian bowlers with ease.

Pakistani batsmen will have to quit this self-destructive ‘Kami-kaze’ batting approach. They need to employ a method which should be a mix of flair & stability, strike rotation together with boundaries. Batting approach should not be one dimensional, rather, it needs to be calculated-aggression and anchoring the innings to at least a formidable total. Proper cricketing shots are a must.

Had Pakistan managed to score a total of around 170 in the match against India, then it would have been a real tough ask for India to score against a dynamic Pakistan bowling lineup, which comprises a mix of pace and a number of spin options at disposal. Saim Ayub was the only wicket taker and the most successful bowler with 3 scalps in 4 overs. Pakistani batters ought to give reasonable totals for their bowlers to defend, and by doing so they can become a real dangerous side. Sufyan Muqeem is a very talented wicket taking bowler and a vital asset for Pakistan cricket team, he should be backed & given consistent chances. Saim Ayub is not having a good run with bat at the top of order, making him bat at number 3 and Fakhar Zaman as an opener would not be a bad strategy, as Fakhar is in good form. Fakhar opened successfully for Pakistan in past for a long time.

The Pakistan played their last knockout match of the initial round against UAE and progressed to Super 4 stage after prevailing UAE in a must win game. Saim Ayub once again got out on a duck, his consecutive third duck in all three Asia cup matches. Fakhar Zaman’s vital 50 on 36 balls and then from the tail once again, the rescuer Shaheen Shan Afridi demonstrated his clean and crisp hitting skills scoring a brisk 29 on 14 balls and gave bowlers something to have a crack at UAE batsmen. Pakistan scored 146/9 and the in form Pakistan bowling line up packed UAE for 105.

Pakistani batters are having problems reading spinners from the hand, except Captain Salman Agha. Therefore, they should concentrate more on reading it from the track and be ready for the one coming in. Pakistan quickly need to solve their batting order problems, Muhammad Haris is an excellent timer of cricket ball and not a power hitter, so why not make him open with Fakhar to best utilize him in power play overs. Remember his match setting courageous knock of 41 runs on 20 balls, SR (205) with 3 sixes and 4 fours in Auckland against New Zealand.

Pakistan’s first match of Super 4 round is going to be a high-octane game against India on September 21.

T20 Tri-Nation-Series final match played between Pakistan & Afghanistan earlier September 2025 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium was an ordeal for Afghan cricket team. This final was supposed to be a Cliffhanger, but not so, rather ended in a one sided supremacy by Pakistan. Pakistan chose to bat first on a spin friendly, tricky surface where the ball was turning and gripping for spinners. Seamers were getting help and swing from the deck as well.

Pakistan managed 141/8 in 20 overs, Coach Mike Hesson and Skipper Salman Agha already assessed the wicket nature & were confident that they have done extremely well crossing 130, as it was going to be a demanding challenge for afghan batters to surpass this total.

In response Afghanistan batting was dismantled for 66 all out in 15.5 overs. Playing specialist spin trio of Nawaz, Abrar & Muqeem was an act of genius by Pakistan.

It was indisputably an astonishing victory by Pakistan. Bogeyman, Muhammad Nawaz was Afghanistan’s biggest nightmare. Nawaz claimed 5 wickets including a hat-trick with an economy of 4.75 in 4 overs. Earlier in the first innings, the southpaw also contributed with the bat and played a significant cameo of 25 on 21 balls including two maximums. Pakistan gave Afghanistan a taste of their own medicine by developing a quality spin web around their batsmen.