Omarzai Magic Keeps Dream Alive! Afghanistan Clinch 5-Wicket Thriller vs UAE
Delhi, 16 February (Sports Desk)
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Match 28 (Group D) between Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) was played on February 16, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, India. Afghanistan secured their first win of the tournament in a must-win clash, defeating UAE by 5 wickets with 4 balls remaining. This victory kept Afghanistan’s slim hopes of qualifying for the Super 8s alive (though it also mathematically confirmed qualification for teams like South Africa from the group standings ripple effect).
- Toss: Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field first (Rashid Khan’s decision to exploit early conditions on a balanced Delhi pitch).
- UAE innings: 160/9 (20 overs)
- Afghanistan innings: 162/5 (19.2 overs)
- Result: Afghanistan won by 5 wickets (with 4 balls remaining).
- Player of the Match: Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan) for his outstanding all-round performance: 4/15 in 4 overs (career-best T20WC figures; dismantled UAE’s middle order with pace, bounce, and variations) and an unbeaten 40 off 21 balls (quick cameos with boundaries and finishing power to seal the chase under pressure).
UAE Innings (160/9 in 20 overs)
UAE started solidly with an opening stand but collapsed from 97/3 to 160/9 due to Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling, particularly Omarzai’s spell that pegged them back in the middle overs.
Key performers for UAE:
- Sohaib Khan: 68 off 48 (top scorer; fought hard with aggressive hitting but fell late to Omarzai).
- Muhammad Waseem (c): Early contribution but dismissed by Mujeeb.
- Alishan Sharafu / others: Brief stands, but no big momentum post-powerplay.
Azmatullah Omarzai’s bowling highlights (4/15):
- Early breakthrough: Dismissed opener Aryansh Sharma (c Gurbaz b Omarzai) for a duck in the first over.
- Middle-order destroyer: Claimed multiple wickets including Haider Ali, Sohaib Khan (caught at square leg off a slower bouncer), and others with immaculate lengths, seam movement, and pace variations.
- Economical death overs: Finished with dots and wickets, restricting UAE below 170 despite late cameos.
Other Afghanistan bowlers:
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman: 2/31 (key scalps like Sharafu and Waseem).
- Rashid Khan: 1/24 (tight and wicket-taking).
- Noor Ahmad / Ziaur Rahman: Supported with economy and pressure.
watch…Kishan Stars as India Thrash Pakistan by 61 Runs – Super 8 Berth Confirmed in Style
Afghanistan Innings (162/5 in 19.2 overs)
Chasing 161, Afghanistan lost early wickets (Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 0, Gulbadin Naib) but steadied through partnerships before Omarzai’s finishing knock.
Key performers:
- Ibrahim Zadran: 53 off 41 (anchor half-century; rebuilt after early losses with calm strokeplay).
- Darwish Rasooli: 33 off 22 (quick support; fell to Junaid Siddique in the death).
- Azmatullah Omarzai: 40* off 21 (unbeaten; explosive lower-order hitting with fours and sixes; finished the game with a boundary through covers off Muhammad Jawadullah).
- Others: Brief contributions from Sediqullah Atal.
UAE bowling:
- Junaid Siddique: 2/23 (best figures; breakthroughs like Rasooli).
- Muhammad Arfan: 2/30.
- Muhammad Jawadullah: 1/39 (leaked in the end).
The chase was tense with Afghanistan at 97/4 in the 13th over, but Zadran-Omarzai stand steadied it, and Omarzai’s power-hitting in the final overs (including a four to win) made it clinical. This all-round masterclass from Omarzai (4 wickets + unbeaten 40*) was pivotal on a pitch offering variable bounce.
A much-needed boost for Afghanistan—Rashid Khan’s side showed resilience with spin/pace balance and batting depth. UAE’s campaign ended with a fighting total but chase struggles.
