Cricket fans are gearing up for an electrifying T20I tri-series featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Set to blaze across the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from August 29 to September 7, 2025, this seven-match spectacle will serve as the ultimate warm-up for the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup, kicking off in the UAE from September 9 to 28. With Pakistan facing off against Afghanistan in the opener and a high-stakes final on the horizon, this tournament promises thrilling action under the floodlights.
A Battleground for T20 Glory
The tri-series kicks off with a bang on August 29, 2025, as Pakistan locks horns with Afghanistan at 7pm local time in Sharjah. The round-robin format ensures each team plays the others twice, delivering at least four matches per side before the top two battle it out in the final on September 7. This setup guarantees intense rivalries and strategic depth, with every ball counting toward Asia Cup readiness. The UAE joins the fray, hosting and competing, making this a perfect stage to adapt to local conditions ahead of the continental showdown. All matches, from the opener to the finale, will light up Sharjah’s iconic turf, starting at 7pm, offering prime-time thrills for fans across the region.
- Tournament Schedule: Mark Your Calendars
- August 29: Afghanistan vs Pakistan – 7pm
- August 30: UAE vs Pakistan – 7pm
- September 1: UAE vs Afghanistan – 7pm
- September 2: Pakistan vs Afghanistan – 7pm
- September 4: Pakistan vs UAE – 7pm
- September 5: Afghanistan vs UAE – 7pm
- September 7: Final – 7pm
This packed lineup ensures a rollercoaster of T20 action, with Pakistan facing Afghanistan twice—on August 29 and September 2—promising a fierce rivalry renewal. The UAE’s matches against both teams will test their home advantage, setting the stage for a dramatic final where the top two teams will clash for supremacy.
With the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup starting just two days later, this tri-series is a critical tune-up. Pakistan, grouped with India, UAE, and Oman, and Afghanistan with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong, will sharpen their skills on UAE pitches, a key factor for success in the eight-team tournament.
Post their recent West Indies series win, Pakistan aims to build momentum, while Afghanistan, fresh from a 2-1 Zimbabwe triumph in December 2024, seeks to maintain form. UAE, buoyed by a May 2025 Bangladesh series win, will leverage home conditions to rise.
Sharjah’s history of hosting epic India-Pakistan clashes adds hype. Social media buzz on X highlights fans’ excitement for the Pakistan-Afghanistan duels, with ticket sales already trending as the final nears.
This isn’t just practice—it’s a proving ground. Pakistan, ranked 8th by ICC, faces Afghanistan (9th) in a rivalry spiced by past Sharjah encounters (Pakistan leads 3-2). UAE (14th) aims to upset the odds, using home turf to secure a 2026 T20 World Cup qualifier spot via the Asia-East Asia Pacific qualifiers. The September 7 final could see a Pakistan-Afghanistan rematch, echoing their 2022 Asia Cup thriller, making every match a potential classic.
A strong tri-series showing could boost Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Asia Cup prospects, while UAE’s performance might elevate its regional standing, impacting T20 World Cup 2026 seeding.
Emerging stars like Pakistan’s Saim Ayub and Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz could shine, catching selectors’ eyes for the Asia Cup and beyond.
As of 5:45 PM PKT on August 1, 2025, the Pakistan, Afghanistan, and UAE T20I tri-series is set to ignite Sharjah from August 29 to September 7. Serving as a launchpad for the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup, this tournament blends preparation with passion, offering fans seven nights of non-stop cricket. From the Pakistan-Afghanistan opener to the September 7 final, the stakes are high, the rivalries real, and the excitement palpable. Get ready—Sharjah is about to steal the spotlight!
