The T20I series between Afghanistan and West Indies kicked off on January 19, 2026, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This series serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Match Overview
Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first. They faced an early setback, losing their opener Gurbaz on the first ball. Despite this, they showcased resilience with key performances from Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli.
Key Moments
- Early Breakthrough: Jayden Seales removed Gurbaz for a run out on the very first ball.
- Partnership Develops: Following the early loss, Zadran and Rasooli steadied the innings by rotating the strike effectively.
- Milestones: Zadran reached his fourth consecutive T20I fifty, scoring 55 off 41 balls.
- End of 15 Overs: Afghanistan reached 128 for 2, with Rasooli contributing a remarkable 67 runs.
Score Progression
Here’s how the score progressed throughout the innings:
| Overs | Score |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0/1 |
| 3 | 25/2 |
| 10 | 81/2 |
| 13 | 104/2 |
| 15 | 128/2 |
Team Line-ups
Both teams featured strong line-ups, with Afghanistan relying on players like Ibrahim Zadran and Rashid Khan, while West Indies featured captain Brandon King and the explosive Evin Lewis.
- Afghanistan Playing XI: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi.
- West Indies Playing XI: Brandon King (c), Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, Amir Jangoo, Shimron Hetmyer, Quentin Sampson, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales.
This series will not only test both teams but also provide vital match practice as they gear up for the T20 World Cup. Fans can stay updated on live scores and match developments through El-Balad.
