Pakistan Edge Afghanistan by 8 Wickets in 1st T20I Opener
Pakistan launched their T20I series against Afghanistan with a commanding eight-wicket victory in the 1st T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on February 25, 2026, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match rubber. Batting first after Rashid Khan won the toss, Afghanistan posted 168 for 8, built on Rahmat Shah’s steady 68 off 48 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s late 42 off 28, but Shaheen Afridi’s 3 for 28 and Haris Rauf’s 2 for 32 choked the middle overs. Pakistan chased 169 with ease in 18.2 overs for 172 for 2, powered by Saim Ayub’s explosive 78 off 42 (9 fours, 4 sixes) and Babar Azam’s unbeaten 65 off 52 (7 fours, 2 sixes). Their 112-run second-wicket stand turned a tricky chase into a procession. The win — Pakistan’s first T20I victory over Afghanistan in Lahore — marks their 10th straight home T20I triumph and sets the tone for a high-voltage rivalry series.
Gaddafi Stadium’s electric atmosphere, under a packed 25,000 crowd and floodlit drama, produced a high-octane contest with 340 runs scored in 36.2 overs. Rashid Khan’s decision to bat first was tactical, exploiting early swing before the surface eased under dew. For Babar Azam, the victory was a statement — his side’s batting depth and death bowling proving too much. As Babar flicked the winning single off Naveen-ul-Haq amid green fireworks and chants of “Babar! Babar!”, the series narrative ignited: Pakistan’s home fortress stands tall, Afghanistan plotting a fightback in Karachi.
Pakistan XI (Babar Azam captain) Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Zeeshan Zameer
Afghanistan XI (Rashid Khan captain) Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Zia-ur-Rehman
Afghanistan – 168-8 (20 overs) Ibrahim fell for 8 in the first over — caught at mid-off off Shaheen. Rahmat and Shahidi added 78; Shahidi holed out to long-on off Rauf for 38. Rahmat reached 68 off 48 (7×4, 2×6) before skying Bishnoi. Omarzai (42 off 28, 4×4, 2×6) and Nabi (18 off 12) pushed the total, but Shaheen’s death yorkers (3-28) and Rauf’s pace (2-32) capped the damage.
Pakistan – 172-2 (18.2 overs) Ayub (28 off 12) and Fakhar (38 off 22) added 68 in 5.4 overs. Ayub fell to Farooqi, caught at deep square. Fakhar and Babar forged 112 in 78 balls — Fakhar 78 off 42 (9×4, 4×6) — caught at long-on off Rashid. Babar 65* off 52 (7×4, 2×6) finished with a flicked four off Naveen-ul-Haq.
Key Moments
- Fakhar-Babar 112-run stand — highest 2nd-wicket vs AFG in T20Is
- Rahmat’s 68 — highest score by an Afghan opener vs PAK
- Shaheen’s 3-28 — best figures by a Pakistani bowler in Lahore vs AFG
- 48-run win margin — Pakistan’s largest by runs in Lahore vs AFG
- 26 sixes in the match — joint-most in a PAK-AFG T20I
Player of the Match: Saim Ayub (78 & 1 catch)
Babar Azam: “Fakhar and I stayed calm. Bowlers set it up perfectly. Karachi next — we’re ready.”
Rashid Khan: “We were 20-30 short. Credit to Pakistan — they chased like champions.”
Series: Pakistan 1–0 Afghanistan Next → 2nd T20I: National Stadium, Karachi — February 28 (D/N)
Pakistan one win from sealing the series; Afghanistan desperate for a fightback under Karachi lights.
