UAE, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to Compete in T20 Tri-Series in Sharjah
This seven-match tournament, played entirely at the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium, follows a double round-robin format—each side plays the other twice, with the top two advancing to the final on September 7. All fixtures are scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM local time to maximise both crowds and prime time viewership.
The series opens with a blockbuster encounter on August 29 as Afghanistan takes on Pakistan.
Pakistan will face the UAE on August 30, while Afghanistan will meet the UAE for the first time on September 1. The reverse fixtures follow on September 2 (Pakistan vs Afghanistan), September 4 (Pakistan vs UAE), and September 5 (Afghanistan vs UAE), before the triumphant conclusion with the final on September 7.
Designed as a strategic lead-up to the T20 Asia Cup, which begins shortly after on September 9 and continues through September 28 across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the tri‑series enables all three nations to refine combinations, build momentum, and acclimatise to the UAE's conditions.
Pakistan, currently sitting at ICC T20I ranking No. 8, enters the series mid-way through a bilateral T20I series against the West Indies and aims to remain sharp ahead of its Asia Cup opener against Oman on September 12, followed by a marquee clash with India on September 14.
Afghanistan, ranked No. 9, returns to T20I action after a gap since late last year's Zimbabwe tour, looking to rebuild match rhythm ahead of their Asia Cup fixture against Hong Kong on September 9.
The UAE, currently ranked No. 15, earned its Asia Cup berth by winning the ACC Premier Cup 2024. The tri-series offers a prime opportunity to test themselves against superior opposition on home soil and sharpen their T20 credentials.
Fans and broadcasters are eagerly awaiting full broadcast and ticketing announcements, expected in the coming days, to tune into the seven-match spectacle that will shape the early contours of the Asia Cup campaign and potentially influence team strategies heading into the World Cup cycle.
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