The cricketing spotlight shifts to Sharjah as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the UAE prepare to battle it out in a tri-nation T20I series starting on August 29. This short-format series presents the ideal opportunity for all three sides to refine their combinations ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to commence on September 9 in the UAE.

Rashid Khan with UAE and Pakistan captainsAfghanistan will take on Pakistan in the opening fixture on Friday night, and captain Rashid Khan has appealed to fans for unity in the stands. Their previous encounter at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium during the 2022 Asia Cup was marred by crowd unrest amid heightened political tensions, making security and crowd management key priorities this time around. Rashid emphasised that cricket is a sport meant to unite nations and provide entertainment.

“It is a message to everyone who comes to watch the game. Cricket brings unity and shows the right message—a message of peace,” Rashid Khan said. “Support your team, enjoy the game, and respect the opposition. At the end of the day, it’s just a game meant for enjoyment and entertainment.”

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Pakistan captain Salman Agha echoed the significance of the tri-series as a vital preparation platform for the Asia Cup in Dubai. The 31-year-old, who replaced Mohammed Rizwan as Pakistan’s T20I skipper earlier this year, will lead a side without regular stars such as Rizwan and Babar Azam. Agha described the series, which includes two matches each against Afghanistan and UAE, followed by a final, as both exciting and challenging.

“It’s a great opportunity for preparation ahead of the Asia Cup. We know it will be tough, but we are ready for the challenge,” Salman Agha said.

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UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem, meanwhile, admitted that his team enters the series with lower expectations but expressed confidence in their preparations. “It is home for all three teams, but given our preparation and the work we’ve done over the past one and a half months, we are optimistic about performing well in the series,” Waseem noted.

With special security arrangements in place, including potential segregation of supporters, the tri-nation series promises thrilling cricket action while ensuring a safe and respectful environment. Fans can expect high-intensity matches as these teams gear up for Asia Cup glory.