In the 28th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Afghanistan finally opened their winning account with a thrilling five-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.
Chasing a challenging target of 161, Afghanistan were jolted early as Junaid Siddique removed in-form batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz on the second ball of the first over, marking the fifth time Siddique has dismissed Gurbaz in T20Is.
Ibrahim Zadran and Gulbadin Naib steadied the innings with a 40-run second-wicket partnership. Zadran targeted Haider Ali, hitting four boundaries in the fourth over, while Naib contributed with a couple of boundaries off Muhammad Jawadullah before falling to Jawadullah himself in the sixth over.
Sediqullah Atal joined Zadran at the crease and added 30 runs for the third wicket before being dismissed for 16 off 14 balls. Zadran went on to complete his half-century, scoring 53 off 41 balls, including six fours and a six, but was soon dismissed.
The match-winning moment came from Azmatullah Omarzai, who shared a 43-run fifth-wicket partnership with Darwish Rasooli. Rasooli scored 33 off 23 balls, while Omarzai finished the chase in style, remaining unbeaten on 40 off 21 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes, including the winning boundary on the second delivery of the final over. Afghanistan secured their first victory of the tournament with composure and flair.
Earlier, Afghanistan had restricted the UAE to 160/9 in 20 overs after inviting them to bat. Omarzai was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4/15 in four overs, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman chipped in with two wickets.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan also made history during the match, claiming his 700th T20 wicket when he dismissed Muhammad Arfan hit wicket in the 16th over, a landmark no other cricketer has achieved.
The UAE were powered by Sohaib Khan’s 68 off 48 balls and Alishan Sharafu’s 40 off 31 balls, setting a challenging total, but Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling and decisive batting under pressure ensured a memorable victory.
Afghanistan will conclude their group-stage campaign against Canada on Thursday at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, while the UAE face South Africa on Wednesday in New Delhi.