Pakistani all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz showcased his spin prowess, delivering a match-winning performance against Afghanistan in the T20 tri-nation series final. Nawaz took a hat-trick in the match, dismantling the Afghan batting lineup with his precise spin bowling. He achieved the hat-trick within his first seven balls of the match, becoming the third Pakistani bowler to achieve this feat in T20 Internationals. Pakistan secured a dominant 75-run victory, claiming the trophy.
The T20 series served as a preparation for the Asia Cup 2025, held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), between the host UAE, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The final, played on December 7th in Sharjah, saw Pakistan initially struggling to build a competitive score. However, Nawaz’s masterful spin then ensnared the Afghan batsmen.
Nawaz, who had been consistently performing well throughout the tournament, continued his form in the final. He conceded only one run in his first four balls of the sixth over before taking two consecutive wickets with the final two balls. He dismissed Darwish Rasooli on the fifth ball and then Azmatullah Omarzai, putting him on the verge of a hat-trick. He had the opportunity to complete the hat-trick in the following over.
On the first ball of the eighth over, Mohammad Haris stumped Ibrahim Zadran, completing Nawaz’s hat-trick. Nawaz etched his name in the history books by becoming only the third Pakistani bowler to claim a hat-trick in T20 Internationals. Before him, Faheem Ashraf (2017) and Mohammad Hasnain (2019) had accomplished the feat, both against Sri Lanka.
Nawaz didn’t stop at the hat-trick. He added his fourth wicket within the next three balls. In his first two overs, Nawaz conceded only one run while taking four wickets. The Pakistani spinner capped off his spell with another wicket, dismissing Afghan captain Rashid Khan in his final over, completing his five-wicket haul. Nawaz finished with figures of 5 wickets for 19 runs in his 4 overs, marking his first five-wicket haul in a T20 International.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan had set a target of 142 runs for victory. Pakistan’s start was shaky, losing five wickets for 72 runs. Nawaz (25) displayed his batting skills, stabilizing the innings. He partnered with captain Salman Agha, adding 40 runs to guide the team to a competitive score. Following this, Nawaz’s five-wicket haul demolished the Afghan team. Afghanistan was bowled out for 66 runs in 15.5 overs. Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem also contributed with 2 wickets each.
