The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 saw Afghanistan defeat the United Arab Emirates by 5 wickets with 4 balls remaining in Match 28 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on February 16. UAE posted 160/9 in 20 overs. Afghanistan chased down the target and finished at 162/5 in 19.2 overs.
Azmatullah Omarzai starred with both bat and ball. He took 4 wickets for 15 runs and remained unbeaten on 40 runs off 21 balls. Sohaib Khan top-scored for the UAE with 68 runs. Junaid Siddique grabbed 2 wickets for UAE. This was a brilliant all-round performance from Afghanistan.
Match Summary: UAE vs AFG
Here is the complete match summary of this Group D encounter:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| UAE Score | 160/9 (20 overs) |
| Afghanistan Score | 162/5 (19.2 overs) |
| Match Result | Afghanistan won by 5 wickets (with 4 balls remaining) |
| Best Batting (UAE) | Sohaib Khan – 68 off 48 balls (6 fours, 4 sixes) |
| Best Batting (AFG) | Ibrahim Zadran – 53 off 41 balls (6 fours, 1 six) |
| Best Bowling (UAE) | Junaid Siddique – 2/23 in 3.2 overs (Econ: 6.90) |
| Best Bowling (AFG) | Azmatullah Omarzai – 4/15 in 4 overs (Econ: 3.75) |
| Player of the Match | Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG) |
UAE Innings: 160/9 in 20 Overs
UAE scored 55 runs in the powerplay with 2 wickets down. Aryansh Sharma fell for 0 runs. Captain Muhammad Waseem scored 10 runs off 6 balls with 2 fours. Alishan Sharafu played well and made 40 runs off 31 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes. Sohaib Khan played a brilliant knock of 68 runs off 48 balls. He smashed 6 fours and 4 sixes. His fifty came in 37 balls.
Syed Haider added 13 runs off 10 balls with 1 four and 1 six. Harshit Kaushik scored 0 runs. Muhammad Arfan made 0 runs. Haider Ali contributed 13 runs off 12 balls with 2 fours. Simranjeet Singh remained unbeaten on 3 runs. Junaid Siddique added 3 runs. Sharafu and Khan put up a 50-run partnership in 31 balls. UAE reached 50 runs in 5.5 overs, 100 runs in 12.3 overs, and 150 runs in 18.2 overs.
Azmatullah Omarzai dominated with 4 wickets for 15 runs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 2 wickets. Rashid Khan grabbed 1 wicket. Ziaur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Gulbadin Naib did not take any wickets.
Afghanistan Chase: 162/5 in 19.2 Overs
Afghanistan scored 41 runs in the powerplay with 2 wickets down. Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for 0 runs. Ibrahim Zadran played a crucial knock of 53 runs off 41 balls with 6 fours and 1 six. His fifty came in 37 balls. Gulbadin Naib scored 13 runs off 12 balls with 1 four and 1 six. Sediqullah Atal added 16 runs off 14 balls with 1 four and 1 six.
Darwish Rasooli contributed 33 runs off 23 balls with 3 fours and 1 six. Azmatullah Omarzai remained unbeaten on 40 runs off 21 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes. Mohammad Nabi was not out on 3 runs. Afghanistan reached 50 runs in 7.3 overs, 100 runs in 13.5 overs, and 150 runs in 18.5 overs. They crossed the target in 19.2 overs with 4 balls to spare.
Junaid Siddique took 2 wickets for 23 runs. Muhammad Arfan grabbed 2 wickets. Haider Ali picked up 0 wickets. Muhammad Jawadullah got 1 wicket. Simranjeet Singh took 0 wickets.
Key Highlight: Player of the Match – Azmatullah Omarzai
- Bowling: 4/15 in 4 overs
- Batting: 40 not out off 21 balls
Azmatullah Omarzai delivered a match-winning all-round performance. He first destroyed the UAE’s batting, taking 4 wickets for just 15 runs. His economy rate was 3.75. He picked up crucial wickets of Aryansh Sharma, Syed Haider, Harshit Kaushik, and Sohaib Khan.
Then he came in to bat and scored an unbeaten 40 off 21 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes. His innings sealed Afghanistan’s victory. This win strengthened Afghanistan’s position in Group D.
