T20 World Cup: All-rounder Azmat helps Afghanistan beat UAE, stay in Super 8s race

Short Score: Afghanistan (162/5 in 19.2 overs) beat UAE (160/9 in 20 overs) by 5 wickets in New Delhi in a Group D match.

AFG vs UAE T20 WORLD CUP 2026: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD

Afghanistan stayed alive in the 2026 FIFA World Cup T20 after a comfortable win over the United Arab Emirates in a Group D match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday, February 16. Days after heartbreak double Super Over loss to South AfricaAfghanistan defeated a spirited UAE side to open their account in the tournament.

Led by Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round heroics (40 off 21 balls and four wickets) and a steady fifty from Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan managed 161 in 19.2 overs to stay in contention for a place in the Super 8s.

Afghanistan, who have lost to both South Africa and New Zealand, are third in the Group D table with a negative net success rate. Rashid Khan’s men now need a miracle as they need Canada to beat New Zealand on Tuesday. If Canada loses, Afghanistan, the 2024 FIFA World Cup T20 semi-finalists, will be eliminated.

UAE, on the other hand, will take heart from their performance in Delhi, which entertained the crowd throughout. Bihar-born Sohaib Khan’s stroke-laden 68 and left-arm paceman Junaid Siddique’s spirited efforts eventually came up empty, but the UAE battled to the final, days after their memorable win over Canada in the capital.

Azmatullah hit three sixes and two boundaries while stringing together a crucial 43-run partnership with Darwish Rasooli, injecting momentum into the chase after Afghanistan teetered on 70 for 3 in the 10th over.

SOHAIB KHAN’S LOVE FOR DELHI

Earlier in the day, UAE made the most of their knowledge of the conditions at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Buoyed by their win over Canada in Friday night’s match in Delhi, they did not disappoint as Rashid Khan won the toss to send them into bat.

Batting was not easy under the bright sun as the early morning humidity helped the Afghan bowlers. UAE got off to a poor start when they lost opener Aryansh Sharma for a duck in the first over off the bowling of Azmatullah Omarzai, who found movement whenever he bowled the ball.

The setback deepened in the very next over when they lost their most experienced batsman Muhammad Waseem for 10. The 32-year-old looked set to unsettle Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who shared the new ball alongside Omarzai. The MI Emirates batsman hit Mujeeb back to back but the seasoned spinner had the last laugh as he produced a delivery that straightened after the pitch and trapped the right-hander lbw.

The disappointment on Waseem’s face was evident when the decision went against him on the umpire’s call, with the ball shown to clip the top of middle stump.

At 13 for 2 in the second match, the UAE were on the back foot.

However, Alishan Sharafu and Sohaib Khan put together an 84-run partnership that laid a solid foundation for a competitive side. Born in Kerala, Alishan controlled the spin with authority, finding angles accurately and shooting effectively. He scored 40 off 31 balls, including two sixes and three boundaries.

At the other end was Sohaib Khan, who lived in Delhi until a few years ago. Born and bred in Bihar before moving to Delhi for Jamia Millia Islamia to study sociology, the 27-year-old played with the confidence of familiarity and brought up his second consecutive fifty at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

With four sixes and six boundaries, Sohaib was in complete control and handled the likes of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman with considerable ease.

While his scintillating 29-ball 51 helped the UAE to a heist against Canada on Friday, Sohaib once again anchored the innings and tried to steer his team to safety even as wickets fell around him.

Azmatullah emerged as Afghanistan’s star, finishing with excellent figures of four wickets for just 15 runs. His spell, supported by poor bowling from Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, proved decisive on a day when Noor Ahmad struggled to find his rhythm and Zia-ur-Rahman conceded 43 runs in his four overs.

– The end

Published on:

February 16, 2026

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