The stage is set in Sharjah as the glittering trophy for the much-anticipated T20I Tri-Nation Series featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE was unveiled on Thursday evening at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Captains Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), and Muhammad Waseem (UAE) stood proudly beside the newly revealed silverware, signaling the start of a week-long contest that many see as a vital dress rehearsal ahead of the Asia Cup 2025.
The tournament, running from August 29 to September 7, will follow a double round-robin format. Each side will play the other twice, with the top two teams advancing to the final on September 7. All matches are scheduled under the lights, starting at 7:00 pm local time.
The action begins on Friday, August 29, when Pakistan face Afghanistan in what is expected to be a high-intensity opener. With both sides eyeing Asia Cup preparations, the contest promises more than just early bragging rights.
Speaking at the unveiling, Afghanistan’s talisman Rashid Khan highlighted the competitive nature of the series. “Every team here wants to fine-tune before the Asia Cup. These games are going to be tough and very important,” he said. Pakistan’s stand-in skipper Salman Ali Agha echoed the sentiment, calling the series “a perfect opportunity to test combinations before the bigger stage.”
For the UAE, led by Muhammad Waseem, the tri-series represents a rare chance to challenge two of Asia’s cricketing powerhouses. “Hosting and competing against teams like Pakistan and Afghanistan is massive for us,” Waseem remarked. “We want to show we can push them hard.”
The series comes just two days before the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, which kicks off on September 9 across UAE venues, making this tri-nation event a crucial prelude.
With Sharjah’s rich cricketing history and the promise of fiercely contested games, fans are gearing up for a week of fireworks under the desert sky.
