Azmatullah Omarzai’s impressive 4-15 spell and a quick 40 off 21 balls led Afghanistan to their maiden victory in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, defeating the UAE by five wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Omarzai’s smart bowling dismantled UAE’s lower order, supported by Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s two wickets and Rashid Khan’s tight bowling, restricting UAE to 160/9.
In response, Ibrahim Zadran’s composed 53 and Omarzai’s crucial 40 not out guided Afghanistan to victory with four balls to spare. Despite UAE’s efforts, Afghanistan’s depth in batting proved decisive, keeping their hopes alive for the Super Eights stage. The win also confirmed South Africa’s qualification, joining India and West Indies in the next round.
UAE’s innings saw Sohaib Khan’s resilient 68 and Alishan Sharafu’s 40 stabilize their total, but the late collapse limited them to a par score. With key contributions from various players, Afghanistan successfully chased down the target, securing their first points in the tournament.
Aryansh Sharma survived a nervy start, benefiting from a close call early on, but UAE’s bowlers fought hard to keep the pressure. Despite some strong performances, Afghanistan’s determined chase, led by Zadran and Omarzai, sealed the win, highlighting their potential in the competition.
