T20 World Cup 2026: Afghanistan vs UAE, Match 28 – Full highlights, top moments & winner details

In Match 28 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 between Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, on Monday, February 16, the Rashid Khan-led side secured a well-fought victory after chasing down 161 in 19.2 overs. After winning the toss, Afghanistan had opted to bowl first, a decision that brought mixed reactions on a pitch that offered something for both batters and bowlers.

UAE posted 160 for 9 in their 20 overs, riding on another composed innings from Sohaib Khan, who continued his impressive run of form. The right-hander top-scored with 68 off 48 deliveries, striking at 141 and lacing his knock with six fours and four sixes. Alishan Sharafu provided valuable support with a brisk 40 off 31 balls, helping UAE reach a competitive total. For Afghanistan, Azmatullah Omarzai was the standout performer with the ball, picking up four crucial wickets and keeping the scoring in check through the middle overs.

Afghanistan’s chase began on a shaky note as Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a duck, putting early pressure on the batting unit. However, Ibrahim Zadran steadied the innings with a well-judged 53 off 41 deliveries, anchoring the chase through the middle phase. Darwish Rasooli added impetus with a quick 33 off 23 balls, ensuring Afghanistan remained in touch with the required rate.

The decisive moment came in the closing overs, when Omarzai returned with the bat to produce a match-winning cameo. He smashed three sixes and two fours at a strike rate of 194.8, turning the game decisively in Afghanistan’s favour and guiding them home with four balls to spare.

Top batting performance: Sohaib Khan

Sohaib Khan was the standout batter in a UAE lineup that struggled to find momentum, producing a composed and impactful innings at the top. He scored 68 off 48 deliveries, striking six fours and four sixes, and almost single-handedly ensured UAE posted a competitive total of 160 against Afghanistan.

Top bowling performance: Azmatullah Omarzai 

Azmatullah Omarzai was the standout bowler for Afghanistan, delivering a decisive spell that dismantled the UAE batting lineup. He conceded just 15 runs in his four overs while picking up four wickets, effectively breaking the backbone of the innings. Omarzai removed Aryansh Sharma, Sohaib Khan, Syed Haider, and Harshit Kaushik, ensuring UAE never fully recovered after promising starts.

Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved

• Rashid Khan has become the first bowler in men’s T20 cricket to take 700 wickets, achieving the historic milestone in the T20 format.

Who was the Player of the Match?

Azmatullah Omarzai was deservedly named Player of the Match for his outstanding all-round performance. With the ball, he claimed four wickets to rip through the UAE batting order and then capped it off with a quickfire 40 off just 21 deliveries, playing a decisive role in helping Afghanistan chase down the 160-run target. His impact in both innings made the difference in a tightly contested match.

When is the next match?

The 29th Group C match will be played in Kolkata, featuring England vs Italy. Afghanistan will play their next fixture in Chennai, taking on Canada in Match 39. UAE, meanwhile, will be heading back home after playing South Africa on February 18.