Sharjah, August 28, 2025: Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha voiced optimism on Thursday that his new-look side will deliver in the upcoming tri-nation T20I series in Sharjah, which doubles as a crucial build-up for the Asia Cup 2025.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Agha said leading the team was both an honour and a responsibility: “The trilateral series will be vital for preparations ahead of the Asia Cup. I have a good team; we have played good cricket in the last three series. The new team is being formed, and you will see the players delivering for the country.”
The skipper also praised Pakistan’s strong track record at the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium, while recalling the popularity of tri-series tournaments during his childhood: “When I was a kid, many trilateral series used to happen. I believe that tournaments like these should happen every now and then.”
Earlier on Thursday, the trophy for the Pakistan–Afghanistan–UAE tri-series was unveiled at Sharjah. The ceremony was attended by Agha, Afghan captain Rashid Khan, and UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem.
The event will run from August 29 to September 7, with each team playing the others twice before the final on September 7. Pakistan open their campaign against Afghanistan on Friday (August 29) under lights at 7:00 pm local time.
Pakistan was originally scheduled to host Afghanistan in a bilateral T20I series this month. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) converted it into a tri-nation tournament and relocated it to the UAE to help players adjust to local conditions ahead of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup, also set to take place in the Emirates from September 9–28.
Officials and players alike see the Sharjah series as both a test of Pakistan’s new combinations and a chance to fine-tune strategies before the Asia Cup, where tougher regional rivals await.
