In the fourth match of the Tri-Nation T20 series hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Afghanistan beat Pakistan by 18 runs after their triumph against the hosts yesterday.

With this win, Afghanistan rose to four points, equalling Pakistan and turning out to be the likely finalists of the tournament.

Afghanistan Captain Rashid Khan won the toss and opted to bat first.

Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal scored 64, 65 runs respectively for Afghanistan, putting a total of 169 runs on the scoreboard in the allotted overs.

Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf grabbed four wickets while Saim Ayub took one.

While chasing, none of the Pakistani batters managed to keep the momentum and build a partnership.

Fakhar Zaman scored 25 runs, while skipper Salman Agha returned to the pavilion after losing his wicket on 20 runs.

Haris Rauf played an entertaining knock of 34 runs on just 16 balls, smashing four colourful sixes.

Afghan bowlers restricted Pakistan to 151 runs over the loss of nine wickets in twenty overs.

Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmed, and Fazalhaq Farooqi took two wickets each for Afghanistan.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Sharafuddin Ashraf were rested as AM Ghazanfar and Noor Ahmad made it into the Afghan playing XI. Pakistan’s side remained unchanged.

Pakistan have beaten Afghanistan in the first match of the series by 39 runs, followed by a victory against the hosts by 31 runs.

Afghanistan now stands with Pakistan with four points, while the UAE is yet to secure their maiden win to gain a point.

Pakistan will face UAE in the fifth match of the series on September 6.

The top two teams in the points table will play the final on Sunday, September 07.