Will the UAE Successfully Host Afghanistan and Pakistan in T20I Tri-Series?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- UAE hosts a T20I Tri-Series with Afghanistan and Pakistan.
- Matches commence on August 29 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
- Each team plays in a double round-robin format.
- The final will be held on September 7.
- This tournament serves as preparation for the Asia Cup.
Dubai, Aug 1 (NationPress) The UAE is set to welcome Pakistan and Afghanistan for an exciting seven-match T20I Tri-Series at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium beginning August 29. In this thrilling tournament, each team will face off against one another twice during the six-match group phase, with the top two teams advancing to the final on September 7.
The tournament kicks off with Afghanistan battling Pakistan on August 29. The host nation, UAE, will launch their campaign against Pakistan on August 30, followed by Afghanistan's encounter with UAE on September 1, and their subsequent match against Pakistan on September 2.
Another crucial clash between Pakistan and UAE is scheduled for September 4, with the Afghanistan-UAE match taking place on September 5.
This tri-series serves as a vital preparation platform for all three teams ahead of the upcoming eight-team ACC Asia Cup 2025, which is slated to occur in the UAE starting September 9.
Originally, Pakistan was supposed to host Afghanistan for a three-match T20I series in the same period now occupied by the tri-series, according to the ICC’s Future Tours Programme.
Among these teams, Pakistan holds the highest position in the ICC T20I rankings at No. 8, with Afghanistan at No. 9 and UAE at No. 14.
Currently, Pakistan is engaged in a bilateral white-ball series against the West Indies, having claimed victory in the opening match. Their Asia Cup journey kicks off on September 12 against Oman. Meanwhile, Afghanistan, who last competed in a T20I series in Zimbabwe late last year, will begin their Asia Cup campaign on September 9 against Hong Kong.
Both Pakistan and Afghanistan have already guaranteed their places in the 2026 T20 World Cup, set to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan qualified by finishing among the top seven teams (excluding the hosts) in the last T20 World Cup, while Pakistan secured their spot based on their ICC ranking as of the June 30, 2024 cut-off. The UAE, however, has yet to secure their spot in the tournament and must navigate through the Asia-East Asia Pacific Qualifiers, scheduled in Oman from October 8 to 17.