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SHARJAH: Fakhar Zaman’s unbeaten knock, followed by Abrar Ahmed’s outstanding spell, powered Pakistan into the final of the T20I tri-series here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

In pursuit of a 172-run target, UAE fell short by 31 runs and could only muster 140-7 in their 20 overs.

UAE were off to a steady start with a 41-run partnership, but not until Abrar Ahmed removed Muhammad Waseem on the first ball of the seventh over. He was caught after scoring a run, a ball 19 with the aid of a boundary and a six.

Despite the wicket, UAE batted steadily, reaching the 70-run mark in the 10 overs. However, Ethan D’Souza’s wicket gave Pakistan an opening. D’Souza made nine from 14 balls.

Meanwhile, Alishan Sharafu, playing his first game, continued to bat sensibly with wickets falling around him. In the 13th over, Abrar Ahmed struck twice, first removing dangerous Asif Khan (7) and then Rahul Chopra (0) to put Pakistan on top.

UAE continued to lose wickets amid a creeping required run rate, with Sharafu playing a lone hand. He eventually departed after making 68 from 51 balls, striking four boundaries and four maximums.

As a result, UAE fell short of the target by a similar number of runs —31 in their first fixture of the tri-series against Pakistan.

For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed starred with the ball, picking up four wickets for just nine runs in his quota of four overs. Mohammad Nawaz and Shaheen Afridi supported him well with one wicket each.

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Earlier, Fakhar Zaman’s composed half-century and Mohammad Nawaz’s cameo took Pakistan to a strong total against UAE.

After opting to bat, Pakistan chalked up 171-5 in their allocated 20 overs.

After racking up 28 runs in only 2.4 overs, Sahibzada Farhan was caught at mid-wicket — a similar pattern of his dismissal to the previous two matches. The right-hander struck a six before getting out after scoring 16 off 11 balls.

Two overs later, Saim Ayub was caught behind in an attempt to play a cover drive. Ayub made 11 off 10 with the help of a six. As a result, Pakistan was reduced to 35-2.

The situation worsened for Pakistan with Salman Ali Agha’s (7) departure on the stroke of the powerplay. Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman remained firm at one end with wickets tumbling.

In came promoted Mohammad Haris, who put on a brief stand of 24 runs with Zaman before getting trapped lbw, which left Pakistan reeling on 74-4 at the halfway mark of the innings.

Haris hit a four and a six in his sluggish knock off 14 from 17 balls.

At one stage, the 150-run mark looked ominous for Pakistan; yet the visitors crossed it due to UAE’s sloppy fielding, which gave Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz second chances.

The duo’s unbeaten 91* run partnership, with 42 runs coming off the last two overs, took Pakistan to a strong total.

For UAE, Haider Ali remained the pick of the bowlers, picking up two wickets in his four overs while giving away just 17 runs.

READ: Tanvir Ahmed questions Rizwan’s exclusion amid Haris’ struggles

The schedule for the all-format series between South Africa and Pakistan has been finalized, with the Proteas set to visit next month, sources confirmed on Thursday.

The tour will feature two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. According to the sources, the red-ball leg begins in Lahore on October 12, with the second Test to be played in Rawalpindi from October 20.

The series will also mark the start of Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle.

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After the Tests, the focus will shift to white-ball cricket. The ODI series is scheduled for October 28 and 30, with the final match on November 2, all to be staged in Rawalpindi.

The T20I series will then follow on November 5, 8, and 9, with Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium likely to host the matches. The T20Is will serve as vital preparation for both sides ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

This will be South Africa’s second visit to Pakistan in 2025, following their participation in the February tri-nation series alongside New Zealand.

Tentative schedule of Pakistan-South Africa series

• 1st Test: October 12–16, Lahore
• 2nd Test: October 20–24, Rawalpindi
• 1st ODI: October 28, Rawalpindi
• 2nd ODI: October 30, Rawalpindi
• 3rd ODI: November 2, Rawalpindi
• 1st T20I: November 5, Faisalabad
• 2nd T20I: November 8, Faisalabad
• 3rd T20I: November 9, Faisalabad

READ: Tanvir Ahmed questions Rizwan’s exclusion amid Haris’ struggles

MANCHESTER: Pakistan cricketer Haider Ali has been cleared of rape allegations in the United Kingdom (UK) after Greater Manchester Police dropped the case, citing a lack of evidence.

Police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) sources confirmed on Wednesday that the investigation has been closed, with insufficient material to support the claims made by a British-Pakistani woman.

The 24-year-old batter, who was represented by barrister Moeen Khan, is now free to leave the UK and has collected his passport from the police.

Ali had been arrested on August 4 while touring with Pakistan Shaheens. He was taken into custody from the players’ canteen at the Spitfire County Cricket Ground in Kent and later interviewed at Canterbury Police Station.

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The woman alleged the incident took place at a Manchester hotel on July 23 and claimed they met again in Ashford on August 1, before filing her complaint four days later.

During questioning, Ali denied the allegation, stating that he knew the woman personally and that the accusation came as a shock to him.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had provisionally suspended him while the investigation was ongoing.

Notably, the 24-year-old has represented Pakistan in two ODIs and 35 T20Is since making his international debut in 2020. His last appearance for the Green Shirts was in 2023 against Afghanistan during the Asian Games.

READ: Sufiyan Muqeem becomes Pakistan’s highest-ranked T20I bowler

DUBAI: Zimbabwe’s veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza has climbed to the top of the ICC Men’s ODI All-rounder Rankings for the first time in his career following a stellar performance against Sri Lanka.

The 39-year-old produced scores of 92 and an unbeaten 59, along with a wicket in the two-match ODI series in Harare, to leapfrog Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi, who now occupy second and third place, respectively.

The previous career-best ranking for Sikandar Raza was No.2 in December 2023.

Raza’s exploits with the bat also saw him surge nine spots to 22nd in the ICC ODI Batting Rankings, edging closer to his career-high of 24th set last year.

He further gained one position in the bowling charts, now sitting at 38th.

Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka, who emerged as the leading run-scorer with 198 runs and was named Player of the Series, jumped seven places to 13th among batters.

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His teammate Janith Liyanage rose 13 places to 29th, while Zimbabwe’s Sean Williams moved up three places to 47th.

Elsewhere, Scotland’s George Munsey advanced to 34th after a match-winning 84 not out against Canada in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2, and South Africa’s Tony de Zorzi climbed to 64th.

In the ICC Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings, South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj claimed the outright No.1 spot after his four-wicket haul against England in Leeds pushed him ahead of Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana.

England pacer Jofra Archer (up six places to 19th) and Lungi Ngidi (up five places to joint-23rd) also made notable progress.

Sri Lanka’s Asitha Fernando rose to 31st, while Dilshan Madushanka’s hat-trick and four for 62 in Harare lifted him from 60th to 52nd.

READ: Former Pakistan cricketer slams Haris, questions ‘cricketing sense’

SHARJAH: Clinical bowling performance helped Afghanistan beat Pakistan by 18 runs in the fourth match of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

In pursuit of a 170-run target, Pakistan could only muster 151-9 in their allocated 20 overs.

Pakistan started poorly as Saim Ayub departed for a golden duck in only the second over. Sahibzada Farhan, on the other end, tried to put pressure back on Afghanistan, striking two sixes in AM Ghazanfar’s overs.

However, his innings of 18 from 13 was cut short in the fourth over. As a result, Pakistan were reduced to 29-2.

Fakhar Zaman and captain Sahibzada Farhan paired up for a brief stand of 33 runs to steady Pakistan in the chase.

With Pakistan looking to accelerate, Mohammad Nabi struck for Afghanistan, providing the breakthrough that eventually led to the culmination of the partnership.

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The wicket sparked a collapse that Pakistan could never recover from. Consequently, Pakistan fell short of Afghanistan’s target despite Haris Rauf’s lusty blows.

Haris Rauf remained the top scorer for Pakistan with 34* off 16 balls laced with four towering sixes.

For Afghanistan, Fazalhaq Farooqi picked up two wickets, whereas Noor Ahmad, Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Nabi picked up two scalps each to seal a thrilling win.

Earlier, Faheem Ashraf’s four-wicket haul helped Pakistan restrict Afghanistan to 169-5.

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan managed to score 169 for 5 in their 20 overs.

Afghanistan lost their opener, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, early after scoring eight off 10 deliveries.

However, Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran paired up for a mammoth stand of 113 runs, laying a strong foundation for a big total.

The duo started from where they left off against the UAE, batting with a sensible approach. Both batters kept Pakistan bowlers at bay in the middle overs as Afghanistan’s scorecard read 83-1 at the halfway stage of the innings.

Pakistan did manage to sneak some quite overs, not until the 15th over, where Zadran and Atal took Sufiyan Muqeem to the cleaners. The over leaked 20 runs with Afghanistan threatening to score a massive total.

Yet, Pakistan roared back into the last few overs with quick wickets, which halted Afghanistan’s progress.

Sediqullah Atal made 64 from 45, striking three sixes and three fours, whereas Ibrahim Zadran made 65 from 45 balls, including a six and eight boundaries.

For Pakistan, Faheem Ashraf remained the standout bowler, picking up four wickets. Saim Ayub remained economical with a wicket in his four spell while giving away only 18 runs.

Playing XIs

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (capt), Mohammad Nabi, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem

READ: Fakhar Zaman joins Babar Azam in elite list in Pakistan-Afghanistan tri-series clash

SHARJAH: Afghanistan have won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the fourth match of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

In the opening match of the tri-series, Pakistan comprehensively defeated Afghanistan by 39 runs, primarily due to a powerful batting display.

Playing XIs;

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (capt), Mohammad Nabi, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Both teams have faced each other in eight T20I matches so far. In this competitive rivalry, Pakistan holds a narrow edge with five victories, while Afghanistan has notched three wins.

Matches 8, Pakistan 5, Afghanistan 3

For context, the tri-series serves as a launching pad for the teams to prepare for and acclimatise to the conditions ahead of the eight-team ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in the UAE from 9 to 28 September.

READ: India likely to play Asia Cup 2025 without lead sponsor

Middle-order batter Asif Ali has announced his retirement from international cricket, effective immediately.

The 33-year-old took to social media, where he called time on his international cricketing career. However, Asif Ali reiterated that he will continue to feature in league cricket.

“Today, I announce my retirement from international cricket,” he wrote on his Instagram post.

“Alhamdulillah, wearing the Pakistan jersey has been the greatest honour of my life and serving my country on the cricket field has been my proudest chapter,” he added.

 

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A post shared by Asif Ali (@asif9741)

He also thanked his fans and teammates for supporting him throughout his career, particularly passing away of his daughter.

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“To my fans, teammates, and coaches, thank you for your love, belief, and support through every high and low. To my family and friends, who stood with me in moments of joy and in the deepest of trials, including the loss of my beloved daughter during the World Cup, your strength carried me forward.

I retire with immense gratitude, and InshaAllah will continue to share my passion for the game by playing domestic and league cricket worldwide,” he concluded.

Asif Ali played for Pakistan in 58 T20Is and 21 ODIs from 2018 to 2023. His last appearance for Pakistan was against Bangladesh in October 2023, during the Asian Games.

Asif’s most memorable innings came against Afghanistan on October 30, 2021, during the T20 World Cup. With Pakistan requiring 24 off 12, the right-hand pummelled medium pacer Karim Janat for towering four sixes in the 19th over in a tricky 148-run chase.

He was also crucial to Pakistan’s triumph against New Zealand later in the tournament, scoring a handy 27 runs off just 12 balls.

READ: WATCH: Pakistan train ahead of Afghanistan clash in tri-series

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a massive increase in prize money for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, with the overall pool soaring to an unprecedented $13.88 million.

Set to be staged across India and Sri Lanka from September 30, the 13th edition of the Women’s World Cup will see a four-fold jump from the $3.5 million offered at the previous edition in New Zealand in 2022.

The prize pot even surpasses the $10 million distributed at the Men’s World Cup in India just two years ago.

The winners in 2025 will pocket $4.48 million, a 239% increase from the $1.32 million awarded to Australia in 2022.

The runners-up will claim $2.24 million (up from $600,000), while the two semi-finalists will take home $1.12 million each, compared to $300,000 three years ago.

Every participating team is guaranteed $250,000, with group-stage victories worth an additional $34,314 each.

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Teams finishing fifth and sixth will earn $700,000 apiece, while seventh and eighth place will collect $280,000 each.

Calling the move a “defining milestone,” ICC Chairman Jay Shah said the decision reflects the governing body’s long-term commitment to women’s cricket.

“This four-fold increase in prize money is a landmark moment and underscores our ambition to inspire the next generation of players and fans,” Shah said.

“Women cricketers must know they will be treated on par with men if they choose this sport professionally.”

The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 begins on September 30, with hosts India taking on Sri Lanka in the opening match in Guwahati.

READ: Khawaja Nafay among Pakistan players to participate in Canada Super 60

SHARJAH: Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson, took to the social media platform ‘X’ to post a heartfelt message for the victims suffering due to the floods in Pakistan.

Pakistan claimed two successive victories in the UAE T20I triangular series. The Green Shirts opened their campaign against Afghanistan with a comprehensive 39-run victory courtesy of a clinical all-round performance.

After that, Pakistan defeated the hosts, the UAE, by 31 runs in a convincing manner, largely due to a solid batting performance.

For Pakistan, Saim Ayub and Hassan Nawaz starred with the bat, scoring brisk half-centuries which powered them to a commanding total of 207 runs.

In reply, the UAE fell short despite late fireworks from Asia Khan, who made 77 off just 35 balls.

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For Pakistan, Hasan Ali claimed three wickets and Mohammad Nawaz picked up two wickets, bowling an economical four-over spell.

Following the victories, Mike Hesson prayed for the safety of people affected by the Flood in Pakistan.

“These back-to-back wins are dedicated to everyone affected by the floods in Pakistan. Some people are really struggling, and we are praying for safety and strength for all those affected back in Pakistan,” he wrote.

For the uninitiated, Pakistan will face Afghanistan on Tuesday, September 2, before squaring off against the UAE two days later.

It is noteworthy to mention that the tri-series serves as a launching pad for the teams to prepare for and acclimatise to the conditions ahead of the eight-team ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in the UAE from 9 to 28 September.

READ: Saim, Hasan and Nawaz power Pakistan to victory over UAE

SHARJAH: Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz’s brisk knock followed by Mohammad Nawaz’s clinical spell powered Pakistan to a 31-run victory over the UAE in the second match of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

In pursuit of a daunting 208-run target, UAE could only muster 176-8  in their allocated 20 overs.

The hosts started strongly in the chase, with openers laying a solid foundation with a brisk 39-run stand in just 4.1 overs.

However, Mohammad Nawaz removed Muhammad Zohaib, who made 13 from 14 deliveries. Meanwhile, Mohammad Waseem continued the charge from one end.

Pakistan roared back with successive strikes in the last over of play as dangerous Waseem ran himself out, whereas Ethan D’Souza followed his next ball.

Thus, the UAE were reduced to 54-3 in the first six overs, and with those wickets, Pakistan sparked a collapse which left the hosts in dire straits.

UAE were 79-4 in 10 overs with Asif Khan and Dhruv Parashar at the crease. The pair steadied the innings with a  54-run partnership with the former taking the core aggressor role.

Asif played a valiant knock but it was not enough as he was removed in the last over with. He played a scintillating knock off 77 runs from just 35 balls, an innings featuring half a dozen fours and sixes.

For Pakistan, Hasan Ali picked up three wickets whereas Mohammad Nawaz was clinical with his two wickets.

Saim Ayub and  Hasan Nawaz’s imposing knocks powered Pakistan to a commanding total.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan were bowled for 207 on the last ball of the final over.

UAE struck early as Sahibazada Farhan (8) was castled in the opening over. Despite the wicket, Pakistan upped the ante, scoring briskly until Fakhar Zaman’s departure.

Zaman (6) was bowled by left-arm spinner Haider Ali. As a result, Pakistan were reduced to 38.2 in 3.1 overs. However, Saim Ayub scored briskly and steadied the Green Shirts’ innings.

Meanwhile, the UAE struck at regular intervals, but it was unable to prevent Pakistan from scoring big. The previous match, half-century maker Salman Ali Agha (6) could not get going this time as he was caught behind.

Consequently, Pakistan were reduced to 74-3 in 7.5 overs. Meanwhile, Saim Ayub continued the charge and reached his fourth T20I half-century in the process.

He eventually departed on the third ball of the 12th over after playing an impressive knock which included four sixes and seven fours. At this stage, Pakistan were 104-4.

Following his departure, Hasan Nawaz upped the ante with a powerful knock. The right-hander batter tonked Haider Ali for three sixes in the over before getting dismissed.

He made 56 from 26 balls laced with half a dozen towering sixes and two fours.

For UAE, Saghir Khan and Junaid Siddique picked up three wickets each.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan,  Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman,  Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris,  Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali,  Salman Mirza, Sufiyan Muqeem

UAE: Muhammad Zohaib, Muhammad Waseem, Asif Khan,  Alishan Sharafu,  Rahul Chopra, Ethan DSouza, Dhruv Parashar, Saghir Khan, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah

READ: WATCH: Saeed Ajmal bowls Babar Azam with beautiful delivery during exhibition match