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Afghanistan, Pakistan, and UAE begin a tri-nation T20I series in Sharjah on August 29. Rashid Khan urges unity, while Salman Agha and Muhammad Waseem eye strong Asia Cup prep.
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and UAE begin tri-nation T20I series in Sharjah
The Asia Cup is around the corner, and before the continental tournament gets underway, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the UAE will lock horns in a tri-nation T20I series, starting August 29.
Afghanistan face Pakistan in the opening game of the tri-nation series in Sharjah on Friday night. Ahead of the fixture, Rashid Khan has urged “unity” among supporters.
The last time Afghanistan and Pakistan met at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, during the 2022 Asia Cup, crowd unrest broke out in the stands. With political tensions providing a backdrop, the UAE will stage several fixtures over the next month.
India and Pakistan are drawn in the same group in the first round of the Asia Cup and could meet up to three times in Dubai. Afghanistan and Pakistan could also play each other three times in Sharjah if both sides reach the tri-series final. Though placed in separate groups in the Asia Cup, they could clash in the second round.
Special security arrangements will be in place for the Sharjah games, including the possibility of segregating supporters. Rashid, Afghanistan’s captain, appealed for fans to enjoy the game while respecting the opposition.
“It is a message to everyone who ever comes to watch the game in the stadium,” Rashid said.
“This game is something that brings unity, it brings people together, and brings nations together. It shows the right message, a message of peace.
“Everyone coming to the ground should support their team, support the players, and have fun. This game is all about enjoyment. We play this game to enjoy it and give entertainment to the crowd. I feel like it is just a game. There is nothing bigger to it.”
“For the crowd to come and support their teams, and the respective players, that is what I request of them, and make sure they have fun and enjoy every moment of the game,” he added.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha described the tri-series as an ideal tune-up ahead of the Asia Cup in Dubai next month. The 31-year-old batter, who replaced Mohammed Rizwan as Pakistan’s T20I skipper earlier this year, will lead a new-look side without regular stars like Rizwan and Babar Azam.
“It is going to be exciting, but great for our preparation as well,” he said of the series, which includes two matches apiece against UAE and Afghanistan, followed by a final. “I know it is going to be challenging, but we are ready for that.”
UAE captain Muhammad Waseem acknowledged his side carried the least expectations in the tournament but expressed confidence in their preparations.
“It is home for all three teams, but the way we have prepared, the way we have played for the past couple of years, and the work we have done over the past one and a half months, I think we are going to play good cricket over here,” Waseem said.
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had …Read More
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had … Read More
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