Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Afghanistan secured their first win of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup by defeating the United Arab Emirates in a thrilling contest, keeping their Super 8 hopes alive. The victory was powered by an all-round performance from 25-year-old Azmatullah Omarzai, who took 4 wickets for just 15 runs to restrict UAE to 160 for 9 and then scored an unbeaten 40 off 21 balls to guide Afghanistan to a tense win with four balls to spare.
UAE started strongly as Junaid Siddique dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz early, putting Afghanistan under initial pressure. Afghanistan began their chase cautiously, scoring only nine runs in the first three overs, before Ibrahim Zadran added momentum with three boundaries and a six in the fourth over. Gulbadin Naib also contributed with a four and six but was soon dismissed, leaving Afghanistan at 41 for 2 after the PowerPlay.
Zadran and Sediqullah Atal added 30 runs for the third wicket, but disciplined bowling from UAE restricted big scoring. Atal was later bowled by Muhammad Jawadullah, leaving Afghanistan at 71 for 3 at the halfway point. Zadran reached a 37-ball fifty but was dismissed soon after, as Afghanistan slumped to 97 for 4 in the 14th over.
Needing 61 from the final six overs, Afghanistan faced pressure before Darwish Rasooli and Omarzai counterattacked with crucial boundaries. Rasooli was dismissed for 33, but Omarzai’s six and four in the penultimate over reduced the target to just four runs. Omarzai sealed the chase with a boundary off Siddique in the final over, completing Afghanistan’s thrilling win.
Earlier, UAE recovered from early setbacks to post a competitive total of 160 for 9. Omarzai struck early to remove Aryansh Sharma, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman trapped Muhammad Waseem lbw. Sohaib Khan and Alishan Sharafu then built an 84-run partnership, keeping UAE in control. However, wickets fell in quick succession towards the end, including Sohaib’s well-made 68, allowing Afghanistan to seize the momentum and claim victory in a tightly contested match.
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