Sharjah, Aug. 29 -- Pakistan's all-rounded display took the limelight as Afghanistan crumbled to a 39-run defeat just more than a week before the Asia Cup on Friday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

While pursuing the 183-run target in the tri-nation series opener, Afghanistan were jolted early with Ibrahim Zadran (9) left bamboozled from a searing inswinging yorker from Shaheen Shah Afridi, a trademark from the left-arm speedster.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz upped the ante while executing his shot with chivalry in the powerplay. He shuffled across the crease and whipped tearaway Haris Rauf over the deep backwards square-leg fence with his sheer power to lift Afghanistan to 50/1 at the end of the first six overs.

Gurbaz's belligerent approach ultimat...