LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the schedule for the upcoming T20I tri-nation series featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The tournament will be held at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium from August 29 to September 7, 2025.
This tri-series will serve as a vital preparatory event for the participating teams ahead of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup, which is scheduled to take place in the UAE from September 9 to 28.
Given that playing conditions in Sharjah closely mirror those expected during the Asia Cup, the tri-series presents an ideal opportunity for all three sides to test combinations, fine-tune strategies, and adapt to the local environment before entering the high-stakes continental competition.
Initially, Pakistan and Afghanistan were scheduled to play a bilateral T20I series in August. However, the PCB, in a bid to enhance competitive exposure and preparation for the Asia Cup, proposed converting the bilateral series into a tri-nation format and relocating the event to the UAE. The proposal was accepted, resulting in a more robust and high-profile tournament.
The tri-series will kick off on Friday, August 29, with Pakistan facing Afghanistan in the opening match at 7:00 PM local time. Each team will play the other two sides twice in the round-robin phase, ensuring a total of six league matches. The top two teams on the points table will then advance to the final, scheduled for Saturday, September 7, under lights in Sharjah.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s national team is currently on tour in the United States, engaged in a three-match T20I series against the West Indies. Pakistan leads the series 1-0 following a hard-fought 14-run win in the opening match, powered by a composed innings from opener Saim Ayub and a match-winning bowling spell by left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz.
The remaining two T20I matches will be played on August 2 and 3 at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida. After the conclusion of the T20I series, the tour will move to Trinidad and Tobago for a three-match ODI series. The ODIs are scheduled to take place at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on August 8, 10, and 12.
The tri-series in Sharjah not only offers intense competition ahead of the Asia Cup but also serves as a platform for emerging talent to shine and senior players to solidify their roles in the lead-up to one of the region’s most prestigious tournaments.
