Key Points
- The tournament acts as a vital warm-up for the Asia Cup 2025 and a testing ground ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026
- Each team will play the others twice, with the top two advancing to a high-stakes final under the Sharjah lights on September 7
ISLAMABAD: The cricket ground in Sharjah is ready for some exciting matches as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirates will play a T20 International tri-nation series from August 29 to September 7. All matches will be held at the famous Sharjah Cricket Stadium, where fans can look forward to fast-paced and thrilling cricket action.
Announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the tri-series serves as a high-stakes prelude to the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, which kicks off just two days later on September 9. With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 also looming on the horizon, the tournament promises to be a key testing ground for team strategies, line-ups, and form.
A fierce format, a familiar venue
The format guarantees excitement: each team will face the other twice in the group stage, giving all three sides ample opportunity to experiment and sharpen their skills. The top two teams will meet in the grand finale on September 7—a winner-takes-all clash under the floodlights.
🚨 T20I Tri-Nation series schedule announced! 🚨
🇵🇰🇦🇫🇦🇪🏏
🗓️ 29 Aug – 07 Sep 2025
🏟️ Sharjah Cricket StadiumMore details ➡️ https://t.co/5bQmhI8A6V#UAEvPAK | #PAKvAFG | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/9XLAAPllRW
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 1, 2025
Pakistan’s campaign kicks off on opening night, August 29, against familiar foes Afghanistan, with the match set to begin at 7 PM (PST).
Full Schedule:
August 29 – Afghanistan vs Pakistan
August 30 – UAE vs Pakistan
September 1 – UAE vs Afghanistan
September 2 – Pakistan vs Afghanistan
September 4 – Pakistan vs UAE
September 5 – Afghanistan vs UAE
September 7 – Final
Asia Cup on the Horizon
This tri-nation dress rehearsal will seamlessly transition into the Asia Cup 2025, also being held in the UAE, featuring eight teams in the T20 format. The curtain-raiser of that tournament will see Afghanistan clash with Hong Kong on September 9.
Pakistan, a traditional powerhouse in white-ball cricket, will begin their Asia Cup campaign on September 12 against Oman, and wrap up their group stage on September 17 against UAE—possibly meeting familiar faces from the tri-series once again.
Beyond Sharjah: Bigger goals await
The tri-series is about momentum, match fitness, and mental readiness. With global eyes already turning toward the ICC T20 World Cup 2026—co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka—teams are eager to refine combinations, test young talent, and finalise strategies.
