Pakistan vs Afghanistan match 1 of tri nation series 2025

 

Well Pakistan is an unpredictable team and they cant be in a trough for too long. They brushed aside recent form to defeat Afghanistan by 39 runs in the first match of the trination series 2025. Although Rashid Khan, mohammad Nabi and mujeeb ur Rahman were unplayable at times Pakistani batsmen targeted the Afghan pacemen namely Farooqi, Fareed and Omarzai. This strategy worked as Pakistan piled up a decent total of 182 runs against them.

Afghanistan batting as compared to their bowling is weak with only Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rashid Khan with ability to strike the ball hard rest of the batting is pretty ordinary in terms of strike rate. So if Pakistan can overcome Afghanistan's bowling they are always favourites to win. Pakistani selectors are right to drop Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as both bat too slowly in Twenty20 cricket.

In the end what I would like to say is that Pakistan and Afghanistan should play the final of this tournament. 

Pakistan, Afghanistan, UAE tri nations series

 

Well the overwhelming favourites for the trination series twenty20 tournament is not Pakistan but Afghanistan. Afghanistan is a dangerous side given that they were one of the semi finalists in last year's twenty20 world cup in 2024 and they are in form as compared to Pakistan and UAE. Afghanistan have a dangerous bowling line up with spinners like Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi. In fast bowling they have Fazal ul Haq Farooqi and in batting they have swashbuckling opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Pakistan on the otherhand couldnt defeat Bangladesh in their home conditions losing to Bangladesh 2-1 a side that just recently lost to UAE 2-1. Also Sharjah pitches suit Afghanistan more than they suit Pakistan. Pakistan's batting is unreliable and their bowlers do have an off day from time to time. I hope they dont miss Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in their batting.

In the end what I would like to say is that not only Afghanistan but even UAE will prove to be tough opponents for Pakistan.

Shoaib Malik - A match winning all rounder

 

If there was any match winner in Pakistan cricket except from Inzamam ul Haq it has to be Shoaib Malik. Shoaib Malik was an expert in finishing matches for Pakistan resulting in Pakistan's victories. He would often come in tough situations and win the match with the bat for Pakistan.

In 2008 Shoaib Malik was captain of Pakistan cricket team which won the Kitply cup in Bangladesh defeating India in the final. He also led Pakistan to runners up position in the 2007 inaugural Twenty20 world Cup losing to India in the final.   As a player he played an important role in Pakistan's victories in 2009 Twenty20 World Cup and ICC champions trophy in 2017.

In 2021 World Cup of Twenty20 he last played a significant role in Pakistan cricket by helping Pakistan to reach the semi finals of that World Cup. He was never selected to play for Pakistan again after that Twenty20 World cup. His career lasted more than twenty years. 

In the end what i would like to say is that given the potential that Shoaib malik had he underachieved somewhat not playing upto his true potential.

Pakistan vs West indies 3rd ODI 2025

 

Pakistan have been crushed by West indies by 202 runs in the third ODI 2025. Have to admit ability wise and planning wise West indies were the better side. On a tricky pitch they consolidated keeping wickets in hand and once the bowling was tired they smashed Pakistan to all parts of the ground to pile up a huge total of 294 runs.

This total was always beyond Pakistan given the bowling friendly pitch which turned square right from the beginning and Jayden Seales bowling. I think the main difference between the two sides was Jayden Seales bowling and Shai Hope's batting. Both Muhammad Rizwan and Babar Azam are out of form that's why we lost the ODI series 2-1 to West Indies. Also in bowling we should have played Shaheen Afridi and Sufyan Muqeem in all the three ODI's .

In the end what I would like to say is that West Indies although ranked 10th were the better ODI side as compared to Pakistan as West Indies team contained more match winners than the Pakistan cricket team.

Pakistan vs West indies 2nd ODI 2025

 

Pakistan have been defeated by 5 wickets in the second ODI against West indies. Both West Indies although ranked 10th and Pakistan ranked 4th are equally talented and equally matched teams. Pakistan were unlucky they lost the toss as the trend in this ODI series shows that who so ever wins the toss wins the match by batting second.

Pakistan took a  Conservative approach to batting and played a lot of dot balls just like teams in the 1980's used to do. Modern day cricket requires a more proactive approach and an attacking approach to batting playing 360 degree shots all over the ground. Pakistan doesnt play with the modern day approach to batting.

Also never disturb a winning combination and I think Pakistan should have stuck with the same team as they played in the first ODI.

In the end what I would like to say is that if Pakistan finds it hard to compete against a low ranked team like West indies then I am sorry to say Pakistan cannot compete against the top ranked teams like Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, England and India.             

Pakistan vs West Indies 3rd Twenty20 2025

 

Pakistan won the Third Twenty20 by 13 runs to win the series 2-1 against West Indies. This result was always in doubt as Pakistan were beaten in Bangladesh and West Indies is a much stronger team than Bangladesh also West Indies are the two time Twenty20 World Champions winning the ICC Twenty20 World Cup in 2012 and 2016 respectively.

THis time Pakistan while batting made sure that they kept wickets in hand before going all out to hit it out in the death overs. This strategy worked as Pakistan put up a decent total of 189 runs on board. Sufiyan Muqeem and Haris Rauf were able to contain the West Indian batsmen and were the stars with the ball. I still think Hasan Ali is well past his prime and Shaheen Afridi should play regularly for Pakistan.

In the end what I would like to say is that Pakistan slowly but surely are making a comeback in Twenty20 Internationals.

Pakistan vs West indies 2nd twenty20 2025

 

Pakistan lost a match they should have won by 2 wickets against West Indies in the second twenty20 match. Pakistan should have won when West Indies needed a minor miracle that is three runs off the last ball to win but Jason Holder had other ideas as he hit a four. Clearly the main difference between the two teams in the first two Twenty20 internationals has been Jason Holder's all round ability with both bat and ball. Jason Holder is the only match winner in the West Indian side. 

We are clearly missing Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in our batting in Twenty20 cricket and the selectors should select both sooner rather than later. Also Hasan Ali's bowling was the reason why we lost this match. Haris Rauf is always a better choice than Hasan Ali.

In the end what I would like to say is that if we cannot beat weak teams like West Indies and Bangladesh then how can you expect Pakistan to compete against top cricket playing nations.