Nawaz’s hat-trick powers Pakistan to tri-series final win against Afghanistan
All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz celebrates after taking his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket during the tri-series final against Afghanistan on Sunday. Photo: PCB
Pakistan laid down a marker ahead of the Asia Cup as Mohammad Nawaz took a hat-trick in a 75-run win over Afghanistan in their tri-series final in Sharjah on Sunday.
Nawaz picked up 5-19 in total -- his best figures in T20 internationals -- as Pakistan skittled Afghanistan out for 66 in 15.5 overs while defending a modest 142-run target on a tricky pitch.
Afghan captain Rashid Khan took three wickets to help restrict Pakistan to 141-8, with Fakhar Zaman top-scoring with 27.
Mohammad Nawaz becomes the 3️⃣rd 🇵🇰 bowler after Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Hasnain to claim a T20I hat-trick 🔥
A match-winning spell against 🇦🇫 👏
4️⃣ overs
1️⃣ maiden
1️⃣9️⃣ runs
5️⃣ wickets#BackTheBoysInGreen | #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/RyxxlRklYmNawaz dismissed Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai off successive deliveries for ducks and then removed Ibrahim Zadran for nine off the first ball of his next over to complete a hat-trick.
Nawaz became the third Pakistani bowler after Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Hasnain to achieve the feat in T20Is.
Rashid (17) and Sediqullah Atal (13) were the only batters to reach double figures as Afghanistan recorded their second lowest total in T20Is, behind their 56 all out against South Africa in last year's World Cup semi-finals.
"We wanted to prepare in a way that helps us for the Asia Cup and we've done that," said Pakistan skipper Salman Agha.
🏅 Mohammad Nawaz is Player of the Match for his match-winning spell in the Final 🌟#BackTheBoysInGreen | #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/VuR30RaeQj
"We've been doing really well since the Bangladesh home series. Finally, we're in very good shape and fully prepared for the Asia Cup."
Earlier, Pakistan, who won the toss and batted, also struggled against spin.
Nawaz made a 21-ball 25 with two sixes while Agha laboured to a 27-ball 24.
Zaman added 49 for the second wicket with Saim Ayub (17) after opener Sahibzada Farhan fell off the third ball of the match for a duck.
Rashid dismissed Zaman in his first over and then accounted for Hasan Nawaz (15) and Agha, but only after his opposite number struck him for two sixes.
Afghanistan next open their Asia Cup campaign on Tuesday against Hong Kong in a Group B clash in Abu Dhabi. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are the other two teams in their group.
Pakistan will face arch-rivals India, Oman and the United Arab Emirates in Group A.