SHARJAH, Sunday, September 8, 2025 (WNP): Pakistan clinched the Tri-Series trophy in emphatic fashion on Monday, thrashing Afghanistan by 75 runs in a one-sided final at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Set a modest target of 142, Afghanistan’s batting order crumbled to just 66 all out, undone by a sensational spell from left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz.

He claimed a hat-trick on his way to career-best figures of 5 for 19 in four overs, dismantling Afghanistan’s hopes and earning the Player of the Match award.

Nine Afghan batters failed to reach double figures, with only captain Rashid Khan (17) and opener Sediqullah Atal (13) offering brief resistance. Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Karim Janat were dismissed for ducks in a collapse that exposed Afghanistan’s vulnerability against spin.

Earlier, Pakistan posted 141 for 8 in their allotted overs after struggling against Afghanistan’s spinners. Fakhar Zaman top-scored with 27, while Nawaz chipped in with 25. Captain Salman Ali Agha added a valuable 24, striking two sixes off Rashid Khan in a single over, while Saim Ayub (17) and Faheem Ashraf (15) provided small but useful contributions.

For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan led the bowling effort with 3 for 38, while Noor Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi picked up two wickets apiece.

Pakistan’s dominant victory not only sealed the Tri-Series crown but also highlighted Nawaz’s all-round brilliance, as he played a pivotal role with both bat and ball.