Afghanistan kept their Super Eight hopes alive in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a tense but valuable 5-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Group D on 16 February 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. The tightly contested game saw Afghanistan chase down a competitive target thanks to key contributions with both bat and ball.
🏏 Match Summary
United Arab Emirates
🏟️ 160/9 (20 overs)
Afghanistan
🏏 162/5 (19.2 overs)
📌 Result: Afghanistan won by 5 wickets (with 4 balls to spare)
🏆 Player of the Match: Azmatullah Omarzai
🧾 UAE Innings – Set a Competitive Total (160/9)
UAE batted first after losing the toss and posted a respectable score of 160 for 9, thanks to a strong partnership in the middle.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sohaib Khan | 68 | 48 | 6 | 4 |
| Alishan Sharafu | 40 | 31 | 3 | 2 |
| Waseem Muhammad | 10 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Syed Wasi Shah | 13 | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| Haider Ali | 13 | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| Simranjeet Singh | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Other contributions & extras | 13 | – | – | – |
UAE Bowling Figures
Afghanistan’s chase was not straightforward thanks to some varied bowling figures:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junaid Siddique | 3.2 | 23 | 2 |
| Muhammad Arfan | 4 | 30 | 2 |
| Muhammad Jawadullah | 4 | 39 | 1 |
| Other bowlers | – | – | – |
Despite their efforts, a strong Afghan chase edged them out in the final stages.
🧠 Afghanistan Chase – Composed and Effective (162/5)
Chasing 161, Afghanistan showcased a balanced batting effort to reach the target with four balls remaining.
Afghanistan Batting Highlights
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibrahim Zadran | 53 | 41 | – | – |
| Azmatullah Omarzai* | 40 | 21 | – | – |
| Other contributions (support) | 69 | – | – | – |
- Ibrahim Zadran anchored the innings with a calm half-century that kept Afghanistan in the hunt.
- Azmatullah Omarzai played a vital late-innings role and finished the match with an unbeaten 40 off 21 balls.
Afghan Bowling Brilliance
Before the chase, Afghanistan’s bowling attack delivered a fine performance to restrict UAE to a defendable total:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 4 | 15 | 4 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 4 | 31 | 2 |
| Other bowlers | – | – | – |
Omarzai’s brilliant 4-for-15 was instrumental in stifling UAE’s scoring power and turning the match in Afghanistan’s favour.
🔎 Key Moments & Analysis
- UAE set a competitive target of 160 with Sohaib Khan’s 68 being the backbone of their innings.
- Afghanistan’s bowlers, particularly Omarzai and Mujeeb, maintained disciplined pressure, picking crucial wickets and curbing big shots.
- In the chase, Zadran’s composed 50 and Omarzai’s finishing touch ensured Afghanistan reached the target, keeping their tournament hopes alive.
The victory gives Afghanistan a morale boost as they aim to qualify for the Super Eight stage, though progression will still depend on other results in the group.
📊 Summary
- UAE: 160/9 (20 overs)
- Afghanistan: 162/5 (19.2 overs)
- Result: Afghanistan won by 5 wickets
- Player of the Match: Azmatullah Omarzai – all-round performance (4/15 + 40*)
📌 Disclaimer
This match report is based on verified live scorecards and official tournament coverage from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group D match between Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates played on 16 February 2026. Final official records are maintained by the ICC and may be updated