Afghanistan breathed new life into their 2026 Cricket World Cup campaign as they secured their first victory of the tournament, defeating the United Arab Emirates by five wickets. After suffering defeats in their opening two matches, the win has revitalised the team’s hopes of progressing to the Super Eight stage, under the leadership of captain Rashid Khan.
The match, held on Monday, 16 February, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, saw Afghanistan lose the toss and be asked to field first. The United Arab Emirates posted a competitive total of 160 for 9 in 20 overs. Shaib Khan led the scoring with 68 runs, while Alishan Sharafu contributed a steady 40, the pair putting together an 84-run partnership that stabilised the UAE innings.
Afghanistan’s bowlers responded superbly. Azmatullah Omarzai claimed 4 wickets for just 15 runs in his four overs, providing crucial breakthroughs. Captain Rashid Khan added to the pressure, taking 1 wicket for 24 runs. A historic moment arrived in the 16th over when Mohammad Afran took a wicket, marking his 700th career dismissal – a milestone that makes him the first bowler in the world to reach this landmark.
Chasing 163, Afghanistan suffered an early setback when Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed on the second delivery of their innings. However, Ibrahim Zadran and Omarzai steadied the chase with a composed partnership. Zadran scored a fluent 53 off 41 balls before being dismissed, while Omarzai remained unbeaten on 40 runs from 21 deliveries, guiding Afghanistan to a comfortable victory.
The win has significant implications for the points table:
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| United Arab Emirates | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| South Africa | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
With three matches completed, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates both have 2 points each. New Zealand leads with 4 points, while South Africa tops the group with a perfect 6 points from three matches. Afghanistan’s victory over the UAE has not only kept their Super Eight hopes alive but also brought renewed confidence to the team ahead of their remaining fixtures.
Speaking after the match, Rashid Khan remarked, “This first win is vital for our momentum. The boys showed great character, and we are determined to give our best in the upcoming games to reach the Super Eight.”
The win has also been celebrated by fans worldwide, who see it as a testament to Afghanistan’s growing stature in international cricket. With their batting and bowling units showing resilience and skill, the team now looks forward to building on this landmark victory.