Captain rashi

The T20I Tri: The T20I Tri-Series, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and host United Arab Emirates (UAE), kicks off on Friday as a perfect dress rehearsal for the Asia Cup 2025, bringing together three ambitious nations at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The three teams will battle in a double round-robin format from August 29 to September 7, with the top two teams advancing to the final just two days before the continental showpiece begins.

This Tri-series represents crucial preparation opportunities for all three participants, who will benefit enormously from acclimatising to the UAE conditions ahead of the Asia Cup (September 9-28). The timing couldn't be more strategic, as Pakistan and Afghanistan find themselves grouped differently in the main tournament – Pakistan in Group A alongside India, Oman, and UAE, while Afghanistan feature in Group B with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.

Pakistan enter the event with renewed leadership under captain Salman Ali Agha, notably without senior stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. The Green Shirts will rely on explosive opener Fakhar Zaman, who, despite recent injury concerns, brings 1,949 T20I runs at a strike rate of 131.77.