NEW DELHI: Pakistan sent out a strong statement ahead of the Asia Cup as Mohammad Nawaz’s hat-trick inspired a thumping 75-run victory over Afghanistan in the tri-series final in Sharjah on Sunday. Nawaz finished with career-best T20I figures of 5 for 19, dismantling Afghanistan for just 66 in 15.5 overs while defending a modest 142 on a challenging surface.Earlier, Afghan skipper Rashid Khan claimed 3 wickets to restrict Pakistan to 141 for 8 after they chose to bat first. Fakhar Zaman top-scored with 27, adding 49 runs for the second wicket with Saim Ayub (17). Nawaz chipped in with a 21-ball 25, while captain Salman Agha laboured to 24. Rashid removed Zaman in his opening over, before also dismissing Hasan Nawaz (15) and Agha, though the latter struck him for two sixes.The match turned decisively when Nawaz dismissed Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai off successive deliveries for ducks, before trapping Ibrahim Zadran (9) first ball of his next over to complete his hat-trick. In doing so, he became just the third Pakistani bowler after Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Hasnain to claim a T20I hat-trick.Afghanistan’s batting collapsed in the chase, with only Rashid (17) and Sediqullah Atal (13) reaching double figures. Their total of 66 was their second-lowest in T20Is, behind the 56 all out against South Africa in last year’s World Cup semi-final.
“We wanted to prepare in a way that helps us for the Asia Cup and we’ve done that,” said Pakistan captain Salman Agha. “We’ve been doing really well since the Bangladesh series at home. Now, we’re in very good shape and fully prepared.”Afghanistan will begin their Asia Cup campaign on Tuesday against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi, with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also in Group B. Pakistan, meanwhile, are placed in Group A alongside India, Oman and hosts UAE.