Afghanistan vs UAE Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Afghanistan beat UAE by 5 wickets to clinch first win
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Feb 16, 2026, 14:59:36 IST
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Afghanistan vs UAE Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Afghanistan beat UAE by 5 wickets to clinch first win

Afghanistan vs UAE Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Azmatullah Omarzai produced a stunning all-round performance to lead Afghanistan to a five-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates in their Group D T20 World Cup match on Monday.

The victory marked Afghanistan’s first win of the tournament and came thanks to Omarzai’s impact with both ball and bat.

Bowling first, Omarzai was the standout performer for Afghanistan, returning impressive figures of 4 for 15. His disciplined spell helped restrict UAE to 160 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs.

Sohaib Khan was the top scorer for UAE, smashing 68 off 48 balls, while Alishan Sharafu added a valuable 40 off 31 balls to push the total to a competitive score. However, regular wickets prevented UAE from building bigger partnerships.

Chasing 161 for victory, Afghanistan got off to a solid start through Ibrahim Zadran, who played a composed knock of 53 to anchor the innings. After Zadran’s dismissal, Omarzai once again took charge, scoring an unbeaten 40 to steer Afghanistan home in 19.2 overs. His calm finishing ensured there were no late hiccups in the chase.

UAE bowlers Muhammad Arfan and Junaid Siddique tried to fight back, picking up two wickets each, but Afghanistan’s batting depth proved too strong.

The win will boost Afghanistan’s confidence as they aim to push for qualification from Group D, while UAE will need to bounce back quickly to stay alive in the competition.

T20 World Cup 2026 Points Table | T20 World Cup Schedule 2026
12:06 (IST) Feb 16
Score after 14 overs 113 - 3
Runs Scored: 0
010116
  • Syed Haider 13 (9)
  • Sohaib Khan 45 (35)
Noor Ahmad3-0-35-0
6
Overs13.6
Score113 - 3

Noor Ahmad to Syed Haider, SIX! Noor Ahmad's ordinary run in this tournament continues. Noor looks to drag the length back but bowls it well short and the ball just sits up for the batter. Syed Haider has all the time to rock back and he muscles it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie to close out the over. 9 off it and Noor has now gone for 35 runs in 3 overs, without getting a wicket as well.

12:06 (IST) Feb 16
1
Overs13.5
Score107 - 3

Noor Ahmad to Sohaib Khan, Fractionally short on leg, nurdled away to the left of short fine leg for one more by Khan.

12:05 (IST) Feb 16
1
Overs13.4
Score106 - 3

Noor Ahmad to Syed Haider, Nice and full, darted into the stumps, Haider backs away and strokes it through extra cover for a run.

12:04 (IST) Feb 16
0
Overs13.3
Score105 - 3

Noor Ahmad to Syed Haider, Flighted ball around leg, Haider moves past the leg stump and taps it into the off side.

12:04 (IST) Feb 16
1
Overs13.2
Score105 - 3

Noor Ahmad to Sohaib Khan, Fuller and on leg again, Sohaib Khan sits down and swings it on the bounce to deep backward square leg for just a single.

12:04 (IST) Feb 16
0
Overs13.1
Score104 - 3

Noor Ahmad to Sohaib Khan, Bowled flatter and around leg stump, Sohaib defends with a straight bat and plays it back to the bowler.

12:03 (IST) Feb 16

Noor Ahmad is back on. He has conceded 26 runs in his first couple of overs.

12:03 (IST) Feb 16
Score after 13 overs 104 - 3
Runs Scored: 0
011400
  • Syed Haider 6 (6)
  • Sohaib Khan 43 (32)
Rashid Khan3-0-17-0
0
Overs12.6
Score104 - 3

Rashid Khan to Syed Haider, A googly now, angled into the pads, Haider fails to flick it away.

12:02 (IST) Feb 16
0
Overs12.5
Score104 - 3

Rashid Khan to Syed Haider, Quicker delivery, attacking the off stump, Haider stays back to defend.

12:02 (IST) Feb 16
4
Overs12.4
Score104 - 3

Rashid Khan to Syed Haider, FOUR! Slightly fortuitous but UAE will take it. Tossed up on leg stump, Syed Haider sits down and looks to sweep but gets a top edge that goes between the keeper and short fine leg and rolls away into the fence behind.

12:01 (IST) Feb 16
1
Overs12.3
Score100 - 3

Rashid Khan to Sohaib Khan, On the pads again, worked away past square leg for another single. The 100 is now up for the UAE.

12:01 (IST) Feb 16
1
Overs12.2
Score99 - 3

Rashid Khan to Syed Haider, A bit more flighted from Rashid, around leg, worked away around the corner on the leg side for a single.

12:01 (IST) Feb 16
0
Overs12.1
Score98 - 3

Rashid Khan to Syed Haider, Full and flat around off, Syed Haider jams it out into the off side.

12:00 (IST) Feb 16
Score after 12 overs 98 - 3
Runs Scored: 0
00(W)1000
  • Sohaib Khan 42 (31)
  • Syed Haider 1 (1)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman4-0-31-2
0
Overs11.6
Score98 - 3

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sohaib Khan, Pushed through a bit quicker and fuller around off, Sohaib Khan lunges to defend. Just a run and a big wicket off it. Mujeeb Ur Rahman ends with figures of - 4-0-31-2.

11:59 (IST) Feb 16
0
Overs11.5
Score98 - 3

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sohaib Khan, Flighted ball, in and around off, Khan blocks it back to the bowler.

11:59 (IST) Feb 16
0
Overs11.4
Score98 - 3

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sohaib Khan, Flighted up on middle, Sohaib opts to block it off.

11:59 (IST) Feb 16
1
Overs11.3
Score98 - 3

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Syed Haider, Drifted into middle and leg, Haider clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

11:58 (IST) Feb 16

Afghanistan break the big 84-run partnership. Syed Haider is the next man in.

11:57 (IST) Feb 16
W
Overs11.2
Score97 - 3

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Alishan Sharafu, OUT! CAUGHT! Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes back and breaks the threatening stand. This is floated up on off and middle, slightly full as well. Alishan Sharafu backs away to open up the off side and goes through with the lofted shot but doesn't get the right connection. The ball sails down to long off, where Ibrahim Zadran is standing well inside the ropes and takes a couple of steps back to reverse-cup it with ease. 

11:57 (IST) Feb 16
0
Overs11.1
Score97 - 2

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Alishan Sharafu, Mujeeb starts the final spell with a fullish delivery around off, Sharafu leans on and pushes it to extra cover.

11:56 (IST) Feb 16
Score after 11 overs 97 - 2
Runs Scored: 0
01011(1LB)1(1LB)
  • Alishan Sharafu 40 (29)
  • Sohaib Khan 42 (28)
Ziaur Rahman2-0-18-0
1lb
Overs10.6
Score97 - 2

Ziaur Rahman to Alishan Sharafu, Fuller and angled into the pads, Sharafu gets inside the line to sweep but misses. The ball goes off the pads to square leg for aother leg bye.

11:55 (IST) Feb 16
1lb
Overs10.5
Score96 - 2

Ziaur Rahman to Sohaib Khan, Half an appeal for LBW, nothing more. On a hard length and on off, jags back in a bit. Khan gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball hits him high on the pads before rolling to point. They pick up a leg bye.

11:54 (IST) Feb 16
1
Overs10.4
Score95 - 2

Ziaur Rahman to Alishan Sharafu, Back of a length, just outside off, nudged down to the right of deep third for an easy single.

11:54 (IST) Feb 16
0
Overs10.3
Score94 - 2

Ziaur Rahman to Alishan Sharafu, That's carried through nicely. Good-length delivery, wide outside off, Sharafu reaches out to smash it over covers but the ball sails over the willow.

11:53 (IST) Feb 16
1
Overs10.2
Score94 - 2

Ziaur Rahman to Sohaib Khan, Back of a length and outside off, Khan gets on his toes and guides it through short third for a single.

11:52 (IST) Feb 16
0
Overs10.1
Score93 - 2

Ziaur Rahman to Sohaib Khan, Bowls a heavy short ball, over middle, Khan looks to pull but miscues it badly and back onto the pitch.

11:52 (IST) Feb 16

United Arab Emirates are in the ascendancy heading into the second half of the innings. 93/2 in 10 overs is an excellent platform to build on and the Afghans have their work cut out in the field. With that said, Ziaur Rahman is back on. He went for 16 in his first over.

11:51 (IST) Feb 16
Score after 10 overs 93 - 2
Runs Scored: 0
062161
  • Sohaib Khan 41 (25)
  • Alishan Sharafu 39 (26)
Noor Ahmad2-0-26-0
1
Overs9.6
Score93 - 2

Noor Ahmad to Sohaib Khan, Pushed through quicker, full and on leg, Sohaib Khan flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one more. 16 runs off the over!

11:51 (IST) Feb 16
6
Overs9.5
Score92 - 2

Noor Ahmad to Sohaib Khan, SIX! Sohaib Khan's turn now. Noor Ahmad floats it up, full and on middle. Khan gets on his knee and slogs it flat and hard over the deep mid-wicket fence for the second six of the over.

11:50 (IST) Feb 16
1
Overs9.4
Score86 - 2

Noor Ahmad to Alishan Sharafu, Short again, on middle, Alishan Sharafu nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

11:49 (IST) Feb 16
2
Overs9.3
Score85 - 2

Noor Ahmad to Alishan Sharafu, Drags his length back, on middle, Alishan Sharafu punches it wide of long on and calls for two. His partner responds, and the throw comes in at the bowler's end. Khan puts in a dive in but Noor fails to collect the ball cleanly. 

11:48 (IST) Feb 16
6
Overs9.2
Score83 - 2

Noor Ahmad to Alishan Sharafu, SIX! That is a shot and a half! Tossed up, full and on off. Alishan Sharafu backs away early and goes down on one knee. He extends his arms to reach out and dispatches it over the long off fence for a biggie.

11:48 (IST) Feb 16
0
Overs9.1
Score77 - 2

Noor Ahmad to Alishan Sharafu, Flighted, full and on middle, Alishan Sharafu knocks it to the right of the bowler.

11:47 (IST) Feb 16
Score after 9 overs 77 - 2
Runs Scored: 0
001100
  • Sohaib Khan 34 (23)
  • Alishan Sharafu 30 (22)
Rashid Khan2-0-11-0
0
Overs8.6
Score77 - 2

Rashid Khan to Sohaib Khan, Short and on middle, Sohaib Khan pats it to short extra cover.

11:47 (IST) Feb 16
0
Overs8.5
Score77 - 2

Rashid Khan to Sohaib Khan, Slows it up, full and on middle, Sohaib Khan turns it to the leg side.

11:46 (IST) Feb 16
1
Overs8.4
Score77 - 2

Rashid Khan to Alishan Sharafu, Short again and around off, Alishan Sharafu punches it through extra cover for one more.

11:46 (IST) Feb 16
1
Overs8.3
Score76 - 2

Rashid Khan to Sohaib Khan, Flighted, full and on off, Sohaib Khan taps it to cover for one.

11:46 (IST) Feb 16
0
Overs8.2
Score75 - 2

Rashid Khan to Sohaib Khan, The stumps become a fielder! Flatter, full and on middle, Sohaib Khan uses his feet and drills it down the pitch. It hits the stumps at the other end and rolls towards extra cover. A boundary saved.

11:45 (IST) Feb 16
0
Overs8.1
Score75 - 2

Rashid Khan to Sohaib Khan, Beauty! Flighted, full and on off, turns away just a bit. Sohaib Khan gets forward to block but gets beaten on the outside edge.

11:44 (IST) Feb 16
Score after 8 overs 75 - 2
Runs Scored: 0
11(1LB)4410
  • Alishan Sharafu 29 (21)
  • Sohaib Khan 33 (18)
Noor Ahmad1-0-10-0
0
Overs7.6
Score75 - 2

Noor Ahmad to Alishan Sharafu, Just short! Tossed up, full and on off, does not spin that much. Alishan Sharafu has a poke at it with soft hands. Gets an outside edge but it drops in front of first slip.

11:44 (IST) Feb 16
1
Overs7.5
Score75 - 2

Noor Ahmad to Sohaib Khan, Fires one full and on middle and leg, Sohaib Khan works it through mid-wicket for one.

11:43 (IST) Feb 16
4
Overs7.4
Score74 - 2

Noor Ahmad to Sohaib Khan, EDGED AND FOUR MORE! A googly, full and on middle, turns away sharply. Sohaib Khan tries to play it from the crease but gets a thin outside edge just past first slip and the ball races to the third man fence for a boundary.

11:43 (IST) Feb 16
4
Overs7.3
Score70 - 2

Noor Ahmad to Sohaib Khan, FOUR! Poor delivery and gets the treatment! Noor Ahmad bowls this quicker, but serves this full and down the leg side, begging to be put away. Sohaib Khan goes down and swipes it away to the deep backawrd square leg fence for a boundary.

11:42 (IST) Feb 16
1lb
Overs7.2
Score66 - 2

Noor Ahmad to Alishan Sharafu, Flatter, full and around leg, Alishan Sharafu looks to clip it away but misses as the ball goes off his pads to the right of short fine. A leg bye taken.

11:42 (IST) Feb 16
1
Overs7.1
Score65 - 2

Noor Ahmad to Sohaib Khan, Floated, full and on off, Sohaib Khan tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

11:41 (IST) Feb 16

Two wrist spinners from both ends now as Noor Ahmad comes into the attack. Hang on, there is a halt in proceedings. It seems like the ball has gone out of shape after that last six from Alishan Sharafu and the fourth umpire is out with a box of balls. The on-field umpires select the one closest in wear and tear to the original ball and we can now continue.

11:39 (IST) Feb 16
Score after 7 overs 64 - 2
Runs Scored: 0
011106
  • Alishan Sharafu 29 (19)
  • Sohaib Khan 23 (14)
Rashid Khan1-0-9-0
6
Overs6.6
Score64 - 2

Rashid Khan to Alishan Sharafu, SIX! BOOM! Alishan Sharafu does take Rashid Khan on. More air on this one, full and around middle. Sharafu gets down on one knee and nails the slog sweep over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

11:39 (IST) Feb 16
0
Overs6.5
Score58 - 2

Rashid Khan to Alishan Sharafu, Flighted delivery, full and on off, Alishan Sharafu defends it on the front foot.

11:39 (IST) Feb 16
1
Overs6.4
Score58 - 2

Rashid Khan to Sohaib Khan, Slower through the air, full and on middle and off, Sohaib Khan eases it to long off for one.

11:38 (IST) Feb 16
1
Overs6.3
Score57 - 2

Rashid Khan to Alishan Sharafu, Flatter, full and on middle, Alishan Sharafu drills it down to long on for a run.

60 More Updates
Afghanistan vs UAE Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Azmatullah Omarzai delivered a brilliant all-round performance to guide Afghanistan to a five-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in their Group D match of the T20 World Cup on Monday. Omarzai starred with both ball and bat, playing a key role in Afghanistan’s first win of the tournament.

The Afghan all-rounder first shone with the ball, picking up four wickets for just 15 runs to restrict UAE to 160 for 9 in their 20 overs. UAE’s Sohaib Khan was the standout performer, scoring 68 off 48 balls, while Alishan Sharafu added a handy 40 off 31 balls to help their side post a competitive total.

In reply, Afghanistan chased down the target comfortably, reaching 162 for 5 in 19.2 overs. Opener Ibrahim Zadran led the chase with a steady 53, setting a solid foundation. Omarzai then finished the job with an unbeaten 40, ensuring Afghanistan crossed the line without any major trouble.

The win gives Afghanistan a crucial boost in Group D after a tough start to the tournament, while UAE will look to regroup after failing to defend their total.

T20 World Cup 2026 Points Table | T20 World Cup Schedule 2026