Sharjah — On a night filled with high stakes and heavy pressure, Pakistan’s left-arm all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz produced a spell that will go down in memory as one of the finest in recent T20 history. His hat-trick against Afghanistan didn’t just rattle the opposition; it practically ended the contest right there.
Nawaz Turns the Game on Its Head
Pakistan had set a target of 142 runs after posting 141/8 in 20 overs, a score that looked competitive but far from unbeatable on a Sharjah surface known for tricky chases. Afghanistan, considered by many as the “second-best team in Asia” after their recent rise in rankings, were expected to push hard. Instead, they ran straight into Nawaz’s magic.
With his sharp left-arm spin, Nawaz ripped through the Afghan batting order, claiming three wickets in three consecutive deliveries. The Afghan middle order collapsed like a deck of cards, the scoreboard pressure mounting beyond recovery.
The Final Collapse
From 44/3, Afghanistan slid rapidly and were bowled out for just 66 runs in 15.5 overs, handing Pakistan a thumping 76-run win. Nawaz’s hat-trick was the highlight of the night, but he was well-supported by fellow bowlers, especially Sufiyan Muqeem, who picked 2 wickets for just 9 runs in his 2.5 overs.
Career-Defining Moment
For Nawaz, who has often been in and out of the side due to stiff competition in Pakistan’s spin department, this performance couldn’t have come at a better time. Delivering in a final, under lights, in front of a charged Sharjah crowd, elevated his status from a utility all-rounder to a genuine match-winner.
Cricket fans across social media were quick to hail him as the “Hat-Trick Hero”, with memes and tributes celebrating his spell that silenced Afghanistan’s chase before it could even begin.
Trophy Secured, Message Sent
The victory not only gave Pakistan the UAE T20I Tri-Series trophy but also sent a clear reminder to rivals: underestimate Pakistan’s bowling depth at your own risk. And at the heart of it stood Mohammad Nawaz, smiling, arms raised, with the match ball that scripted history.
