UAE Tri-Series 2025: Pakistan, Afghanistan and UAE squads, full schedule, IST timings and streaming updates

Pakistan land first punch as Afghanistan collapse in Sharjah

The UAE Tri-Series 2025 opened with a reminder of how quickly T20 can flip. Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 39 runs in Sharjah on Friday night, turning a tense chase into a sudden collapse. Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha held the innings together with an unbeaten 53 off 36 after his side slipped to 83/4. He found steady support from Mohammad Nawaz, and Pakistan pushed the total to 182/7—above par on a wearing surface.

Afghanistan were in control at 92/2 with ten overs left. Then came the slide. In a burst of 17 balls, they lost five wickets for four runs. The wreckers-in-chief were Haris Rauf—hostile and accurate at the death with 4/31 in 3.5 overs—and left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, who prised open the middle order during that decisive phase. Rashid Khan’s late 39 off 16 was electric but arrived too late to bend the game back.

It was a useful early stress test for Pakistan’s batting core. The top order misfired, but Salman’s calm tempo meant they still finished strong, which is precisely what this team lacked in a few tight finishes earlier this year. Nawaz’s hand—both with the bat and in how he handled the back end—will also please the think-tank. For Afghanistan, the takeaway is clear: protect overs 11–16. When they held shape, the chase looked routine; when the middle slipped, it went fast.

After match one, the table is simple: Pakistan lead with 2 points and a net run rate of +1.950; Afghanistan have 0 points with -1.950. Hosts UAE are yet to play and will get their first look at this tri-series tempo on Saturday evening.

Schedule, IST timings, squads and how to watch

The tri-nation format is straight-forward: round-robin, each team plays the others twice, and the top two make the final on September 7. All matches start at 7:00 PM local time in the UAE, which is 8:30 PM IST. Toss is expected 30 minutes before first ball.

• Saturday, August 30 — UAE vs Pakistan — 7:00 PM local, 8:30 PM IST
• Monday, September 1 — Afghanistan vs UAE — 7:00 PM local, 8:30 PM IST
• Tuesday, September 2 — Afghanistan vs Pakistan — 7:00 PM local, 8:30 PM IST
• Thursday, September 4 — Pakistan vs UAE — 7:00 PM local, 8:30 PM IST
• Friday, September 5 — Afghanistan vs UAE — 7:00 PM local, 8:30 PM IST
• Sunday, September 7 — Final — 7:00 PM local, 8:30 PM IST

Opening night was played in Sharjah. The UAE leg often moves between established venues, but the schedule keeps the start times fixed—prime time for local crowds and late evening in India.

Where this matters competitively is rhythm. Four games across eight days before the final means little time to brood on mistakes. Pakistan face UAE next—a chance to bank points early and rotate if needed. Afghanistan return quickly against UAE, which could suit them after a harsh wake-up against Pakistan’s pace. The hosts will back familiarity with conditions and sharper fielding to make up for a relative gap in experience.

Squads reflect continuity from recent tournament windows, with Pakistan sticking to their Asia Cup group and Afghanistan making only one headline change.

Pakistan squad (core names): Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris (wk), Salman Ali Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, and others from their Asia Cup roster.

Afghanistan squad (selected): Rashid Khan (capt), Fareed Ahmad, Noor Ahmad, Abdollah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar; Naveen-ul-Haq is not part of this group.

UAE squad: a blend of regulars and several new faces, with the selectors clearly aiming to blood talent at home against two top-tier opponents.

What to watch tactically over the next week? For Pakistan, how they balance pace and spin in the middle overs on UAE surfaces that can grip. Rauf’s end-overs spells will remain a weapon, but matches may hinge on how their spinners hold the squeeze between overs 7 and 15. With the bat, the question is whether the top three can set cleaner platforms and keep Salman and Nawaz for acceleration rather than rescue.

Afghanistan will want more from their middle order against pace change-ups. They were cruising until Pakistan varied speeds and angles after the tenth over. Rashid’s finishing power is a bonus, not a plan A. Expect them to lean on Fazalhaq Farooqi’s new-ball swing and Rashid’s middle-over choke to create chases in the 160–170 range, which suit their hitters.

For the UAE, the goal is clarity: stable powerplay starts, sharper ground fielding, and disciplined death bowling. Even if they split games, pushing one of the big two into a net run rate scrap could tilt the final spot.

Points and net run rate will likely decide the finalists if the pack tightens. Two wins can be enough; three definitely are. If teams are level on points, net run rate breaks the tie, so late-innings margins matter—expect aggressive fields and brave batting in the last two overs as sides hunt those extra runs.

How to watch: TV and digital broadcast details are being finalized by the organizers and rights holders. As of now, region-wise listings have not been formally announced. Viewers should check official updates from the cricket boards and local broadcasters on match days. All games begin at 7:00 PM local time (8:30 PM IST), with the final on Sunday, September 7 at the same time.

Current snapshot after Match 1:

• Pakistan — Played 1, Won 1, Points 2, Net run rate +1.950
• Afghanistan — Played 1, Lost 1, Points 0, Net run rate -1.950
• UAE — Yet to play

With five league games left and little daylight between the squads on paper, there’s ample room for a late surge. For now, Pakistan own the early statement win. Afghanistan have a quick turnaround to steady the middle order. The hosts have a shot to surprise as soon as Saturday night under lights.