Sharjah tri-series: Rashid Khan urges fans to stay calm
Sharjah hosts the first game of the Bank Alfalah T20I Tri-Series, featuring a big clash between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the UAE completing the three-team lineup.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan asked fans not to cause trouble, saying cricket 'brings people and nations together'. In 2022, Pakistan won against Afghanistan by only one wicket. The close game was exciting, but fights broke out among fans. The Pakistan Cricket Board complained, and local officials had to step in to control the situation.
Before the series, Rashid said Afghanistan would focus on delivering strong performances rather than worrying about form or momentum. He added that 'one or two players can change the whole game'. Afghanistan’s rise in T20 cricket, shown by their semi-final run in the recent World Cup, comes from a strong top order that performs well in key moments.
Led by new captain Salman Agha, Pakistan has a young team that is still learning. Yet, they also have some experienced players who know Sharjah well. Both teams see this series as useful practice for the Asia Cup next month. Afghanistan wants to play steady cricket, while Pakistan is giving young players a chance to learn how to handle pressure.
