Cricket in the UAE has always carried a special charm. The Sharjah Cricket Stadium, with its rich history of classic encounters, once again became the stage for an exciting battle on September 1, 2025, when Afghanistan locked horns with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the third match of the UAE T20I Tri-Nation Series.

This game had everything cricket fans love—big sixes, sharp spin bowling, a record-breaking milestone, and the emergence of new heroes. But at the heart of it all stood one man, Rashid Khan, who not only led Afghanistan to victory but also etched his name into cricketing history.

The Setting: A Clash Beyond Numbers

The UAE T20I Tri-Nation Series 2025 features three teams—Afghanistan, Pakistan, and UAE—all preparing for the Asia Cup 2025 to be held just days later. For the UAE, this tournament is more than just a warm-up; it’s an opportunity to prove that they can compete against higher-ranked sides.

For Afghanistan, meanwhile, the stakes are different. The team, led by Rashid Khan, is fine-tuning its squad ahead of a busy season, and every match provides a chance to test players under pressure.

With both sides eager to prove themselves, the Sharjah crowd was treated to a fiery contest.

Afghanistan’s Innings: Zadran and Atal Take Charge

Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first—a decision that turned out to be the right call. Openers walked in with intent, and soon, the innings found its rhythm.

• Ibrahim Zadran played a fluent knock, anchoring the innings with a well-crafted 63 runs. His innings was filled with elegant drives and controlled aggression.
• On the other end, Sediqullah Atal complemented him beautifully, smashing a quick 54 runs that gave Afghanistan the momentum they needed.

Together, they built a solid foundation that set the stage for a big total. UAE’s bowlers tried to break the partnership with variations, but the Afghan batters looked confident, rotating the strike and punishing the loose deliveries.

The middle order chipped in with cameos, and by the end of 20 overs, Afghanistan had posted a challenging 188/4—a total that looked above par on the Sharjah pitch.

UAE’s Bowling Efforts

Though UAE’s bowlers toiled hard, they couldn’t keep the Afghan batters quiet for long. The standout performer was Aayan Afzal Khan, who managed to contain runs in the middle overs. However, without regular breakthroughs, UAE struggled to halt the Afghan momentum.

UAE’s Chase: A Mountain Too Steep

Chasing 189 runs against Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack was always going to be a tough challenge for UAE. Their innings began with a cautious approach, but once wickets started falling, the pressure mounted.

• Muhammad Waseem, the UAE skipper, tried to keep the chase alive with aggressive intent, but his dismissal at a crucial stage left the team in trouble.
• Middle-order contributions came in patches, but none could convert starts into match-defining innings.

In the end, UAE managed 150/8 in their allotted overs, falling short by 38 runs.

Rashid Khan’s Magic: Record-Breaking Spell

The highlight of the match was undoubtedly Rashid Khan’s performance. Already regarded as one of the greatest T20 bowlers, Rashid took 3 wickets for 21 runs, completely dismantling UAE’s batting order.

But this wasn’t just another spell—it was historic. With these three wickets, Rashid Khan became the highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals, surpassing New Zealand’s Tim Southee. He now stands with an unbelievable 165 wickets in T20Is, a record that reflects his dominance and consistency in the shortest format of the game.

Adding to the brilliance, Sharafuddin Ashraf supported him well, claiming 3/24, ensuring UAE never found momentum in their chase.

Key Moments That Defined the Match

1. Zadran & Atal’s Partnership – The duo’s solid start set the tone for Afghanistan’s innings.
2. Rashid’s Record-Breaking Spell – His three wickets not only sealed the match but also created history.
3. Sharafuddin’s Impact – His ability to pick wickets in the middle overs ensured UAE’s chase collapsed.

Afghanistan vs UAE: Head-to-Head Record

This victory adds to Afghanistan’s dominance over UAE in T20Is. Out of 12 matches played, Afghanistan has now won 9, while UAE has managed just 3 victories.

The record clearly highlights Afghanistan’s superiority, but UAE’s fighting spirit continues to earn them respect.

Importance of the Tri-Series

This tri-series acts as a crucial preparatory stage for the Asia Cup 2025, which UAE will host from September 9 to 28, 2025. For Afghanistan, such wins boost confidence and help sharpen their strategies. For UAE, playing against top teams helps build experience and resilience, something they’ll need in the Asia Cup.

What This Win Means for Afghanistan

• Confidence Booster – A dominant win ahead of the Asia Cup gives Afghanistan belief in their squad depth.
• Rashid’s Leadership – His record and leadership show that Afghanistan is in safe hands.
• Balanced Squad – Strong batting and world-class spin attack make Afghanistan a dark horse in upcoming tournaments.

What UAE Can Learn

• Middle-Order Stability – UAE needs batters who can absorb pressure and build partnerships.
• Bowling Variations – While the bowlers showed fight, lack of breakthroughs hurt them.
• Positive Takeaway – Playing against a strong side like Afghanistan provides valuable experience.

The Road Ahead

Both teams will now shift focus to their remaining matches in the tri-series and prepare for the Asia Cup 2025. While Afghanistan looks well-settled, UAE will aim to iron out weaknesses before facing Asian giants like India and Pakistan.

FAQs on Afghanistan vs UAE Match

Q1. Who won the Afghanistan vs UAE T20I match on September 1, 2025?
Afghanistan defeated UAE by 38 runs in the third match of the UAE T20I Tri-Series.

Q2. Who was the top performer for Afghanistan?
Ibrahim Zadran (63 runs), Sediqullah Atal (54 runs), and Rashid Khan (3/21) were standout performers.

Q3. What record did Rashid Khan achieve in this match?
Rashid Khan became the highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals, with 165 wickets, surpassing Tim Southee.

Q4. How many T20 matches have Afghanistan and UAE played against each other?
They have played 12 T20Is, with Afghanistan winning 9 and UAE winning 3.

Q5. Why is this tri-series important?
It serves as preparation for the Asia Cup 2025, which the UAE will host.