Pakistan's left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz recorded a hat-trick against Afghanistan in the Tri-Series final at Sharjah on Sunday night. His efforts drove Pakistan to a series win. Nawaz tangled his web around the Afghan batsmen in the 142-run chase, as they were bowled out for just 66. Nawaz eventually returned with a five-wicket haul.
Nawaz claimed the hattrick after striking in the last two balls of the sixth over as he dismissed Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai. He returned in the eight over to remove Ibrahim Zadran for a duck. With this, Nawaz became the first Pakistan men’s spinner — and only the third Pakistan bowler after Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Hasnain — to claim a hat-trick in T20Is.
He then added Rashid Khan and Karim Jannat's scalps to complete a fifer.
5-fers for Pakistan in Men’s T20Is:
5/3 - Sufiyan Muqeem vs ZIM, Bulawayo, 2024
5/6 - Umar Gul vs NZ, The Oval, 2009
5/6 - Umar Gul vs SA, Centurion, 2013
5/14 - Imad Wasim vs WI, Dubai, 2016
5/19 - Mohammad Nawaz vs AFG, Sharjah, 2025
5/30 - Hasan Ali vs BAN, Lahore, 2025
Afghanistan, meanwhile, lost the series after a forgettable batting performance in which they were unable to provide any resistance in a reasonable chase.
Lowest all-out totals for Afghanistan in T20Is:
56 vs SA, Tarouba, 2024
66 vs PAK, Sharjah, 2025
72 vs BAN, Mirpur, 2014
80 vs SA, Bridgetown, 2010
80 vs ENG, Colombo (RPS), 2012
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Pakistan, who had previously won the toss and batted, had trouble with spin as well. With Fakhar Zaman leading the way with 27, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan got three wickets to help limit Pakistan to 141-8. Agha struggled to a 27-ball 24 while Nawaz scored a 21-ball 25 with two sixes.
After opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a duck on the third delivery of the match, Zaman and Saim Ayub (17) combined to score 49 for the second wicket.
Reflecting on his team's strategy, Nawaz described how self-control and discipline with the ball were beneficial on a challenging surface. He talked about how they recovered under pressure to post 140 by keeping things simple, adjusting to the pitch fast, and relying on a vital partnership.
“The plan was very simple. We knew this pitch was difficult to bat on. We had to be disciplined with our bowling. We hit the right areas and found success. I got spin on the first two balls, I realised the pace on which I had to bowl. I had to keep the pads and stumps in play. I am feeling good. I have control and that has given me the confidence. Just trying to keep things simple and trying to execute. We needed a partnership at that time. We were under pressure but we recovered and got to 140,” said Nawaz after the match.
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