Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran performs a brief throughout T20 World Cup 2026 conflict towards United Arab Emirates on the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, India, February 16, 2026. — Fb/@ AfghanistanCricketBoardOfficial
NEW DELHI: Afghanistan defeated United Arab Emirates by three wickets to remain in rivalry for the Tremendous 8 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup on the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Chasing a goal of 161, Afghanistan had a shaky begin as Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a second-ball duck by Junaid Siddique within the opening over.
Ibrahim Zadran and Gulbadin Naib rebuilt the innings with a gradual partnership for the second wicket.
Nonetheless, Gulbadin was dismissed by Muhammad Arfan after scoring 13 off 12 balls, which included a 4 and a six, leaving Afghanistan at 40-2 in 5.3 overs.
Sediqullah Atal added 16 runs off 14 deliveries earlier than being eliminated by Muhammad Jawadullah. Opener Ibrahim Zadran performed an important knock of 53 off 41 balls, that includes six fours and one six, earlier than falling to the bowlers.
Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai then guided Afghanistan previous the goal with essential contributions.
Rasooli scored 33 off 23 balls, together with three fours and a six, earlier than falling to Junaid Siddique at 140-5 in 17.3 overs.
Afghanistan ultimately surpassed the goal in 19.2 overs, with Azmatullah unbeaten on 40 off 21 balls, together with two fours and three sixes, supported by Mohammad Nabi’s three runs.
Batting first, the UAE struggled early, dropping opener Aryansh Sharma for a duck within the first over to Azmatullah Omarzai.
Skipper Muhammad Waseem was dismissed LBW by Mujeeb Ur Rahman for 10 off six deliveries within the subsequent over, leaving UAE at 13-2.
Alishan Sharafu and Sohaib Khan stabilized the innings with an 84-run partnership. Sharafu was ultimately dismissed for 40 off 31 balls, together with three fours and two sixes, by Mujeeb, leaving UAE at 97-3 in 11.2 overs.
Sohaib Khan acquired help from Syed Haider, who added 13 runs off 10 balls.
The UAE center order collapsed as Harshit Kaushik and Muhammad Arfan have been despatched again for geese by Azmatullah and Rashid Khan respectively, decreasing the crew to 121-6 in 15.3 overs.
Sohaib Khan fell for 68 off 48 deliveries, which included six fours and 4 sixes, as Afghanistan seized management.
Azmatullah Omarzai was the standout bowler for Afghanistan, ending with figures of 4 wickets for 15 runs in 4 overs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman took two wickets, whereas Rashid Khan added one.
Enjoying XI
Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi
UAE: Muhammad Waseem (c), Aryansh Sharma (wk), Alishan Sharafu, Sohaib Khan, Syed Haider, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Arfan, Haider Ali, Simranjeet Singh, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah
