Last Updated: June 19, 2026
Direct Answer: United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: Afghanistan defeated UAE by 5 wickets in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. UAE scored 160/9 in 20 overs, while Afghanistan chased 162/5 in 19.2 overs. Azmatullah Omarzai starred with 4 wickets and a match-winning unbeaten knock.
Disclaimer: This article is created for informational and editorial purposes using publicly available match data. Match statistics and records are referenced and verified from official cricket reporting sources.
Match Snapshot
| Match | UAE vs Afghanistan |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Date | 16 February 2026 |
| Toss | Afghanistan won and chose to bowl |
| UAE Score | 160/9 (20 overs) |
| Afghanistan Score | 162/5 (19.2 overs) |
| Result | Afghanistan won by 5 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Azmatullah Omarzai |
This United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard tells the story of a game where bowling discipline and late finishing power made the difference.
UAE Innings: A Spirited 160 That Almost Wasn’t Enough
Afghanistan won the toss and put UAE in to bat. On a Delhi pitch with known slowness, that was a smart call. UAE though — credit to them — didn’t just roll over. They fought hard.
United Arab Emirates — Full Batting Scorecard (160/9 in 20 Overs)
| Batsman | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aryansh Sharma (wk) | c Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Azmatullah Omarzai | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Muhammad Waseem (c) | lbw b Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 10 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 166.67 |
| Alishan Sharafu | c Ibrahim Zadran b Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 40 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 129.03 |
| Sohaib Khan | c Mujeeb Ur Rahman b Azmatullah Omarzai | 68 | 48 | 6 | 4 | 141.67 |
| Syed Haider | b Azmatullah Omarzai | 13 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 130.00 |
| Harshit Kaushik | c Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Azmatullah Omarzai | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Muhammad Arfan | hit wkt b Rashid Khan | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Haider Ali | run out (Rahmanullah Gurbaz) | 13 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 108.33 |
| Simranjeet Singh | not out | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Junaid Siddique | run out (Rashid Khan / Rahmanullah Gurbaz) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Muhammad Jawadullah | did not bat | — | — | — | — | — |
| Extras | (lb 4, w 4, nb 2) | 10 | ||||
| TOTAL | 160/9 in 20 Overs | RR: 8.00 |
Afghanistan Bowling — UAE Innings
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | NB | WD | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 4 | 0 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3.80 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 4 | 0 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7.80 |
| Ziaur Rahman Sharifi | 4 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 10.80 |
| Rashid Khan (c) | 4 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6.00 |
| Noor Ahmad | 3 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11.70 |
| Gulbadin Naib | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8.00 |
UAE Innings Deep Analysis:
The final score says UAE – 160/9 in 20 overs.
That looks like a decent total.
But the real story of the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard was how UAE recovered after a poor start and kept fighting until the last over.
Powerplay (Overs 1–6): Early Trouble, Smart Recovery
UAE could not have asked for a worse start.
Azmatullah Omarzai struck early and removed Aryansh Sharma, who was caught behind by Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Soon after, captain Muhammad Waseem played a quick cameo of 10 off 6 balls, hitting two boundaries before Mujeeb Ur Rahman trapped him LBW.
UAE were under pressure.
But then came the partnership that changed the innings.
Alishan Sharafu stayed calm and helped rebuild.
He did not rush.
He picked good balls and kept the scoreboard moving.
Fans watching Afghanistan vs United Arab Emirates and following Afg vs UAE Live Score could feel the innings slowly coming back to life.
Middle Overs (Overs 7–15): Sohaib Khan Leads the Fightback
This was UAE’s best phase.
Sohaib Khan played a brilliant innings and gave UAE something to defend.
His numbers:
- 68 runs off 48 balls
- 6 fours
- 4 sixes
- Strike Rate: 141.67
At the other end, Alishan Sharafu played the perfect support role.
His innings:
- 40 runs off 31 balls
- 3 fours
- 2 sixes
Together they rebuilt the innings and pushed UAE toward a competitive score.
At one stage, UAE looked capable of reaching 165+.
This was the point where the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard became much more competitive.
Death Overs (Overs 16–20): Omarzai Stops the Big Finish
Just when UAE looked ready to explode in the final overs, Afghanistan struck back.
Azmatullah Omarzai returned and changed the game.
He removed:
- Syed Haider for 13
- Harshit Kaushik for 0
Then another unusual moment followed as Muhammad Arfan accidentally hit his own wicket while facing Rashid Khan.
Haider Ali and Junaid Siddique added a few late runs, while Simranjeet Singh stayed unbeaten.
But UAE lost momentum at the wrong time.
Final Score:
UAE – 160/9 (20 Overs)
Muhammad Jawadullah did not bat.
Afghanistan Chase: Rocky Start, Brilliant Finish
161 to win. 20 overs. Arun Jaitley Stadium under Delhi’s sky. Afghanistan — led by the cool-headed Rashid Khan — walked out knowing they had quality but would need to execute.
What followed was a chase that kept fans watching on the edge of their seat right until Omarzai’s final cover drive sealed it.
Afghanistan — Full Batting Scorecard (162/5 in 19.2 Overs)
| Batsman | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) | c Sohaib Khan b Junaid Siddique | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | c Muhammad Waseem b Muhammad Arfan | 53 | 41 | 6 | 1 | 129.27 |
| Gulbadin Naib | c Harshit Kaushik b Muhammad Arfan | 13 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 108.33 |
| Sediqullah Atal | b Muhammad Jawadullah | 16 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 114.29 |
| Darwish Rasooli | b Junaid Siddique | 33 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 143.48 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | not out | 40 | 21 | 2 | 3 | 190.48 |
| Mohammad Nabi | not out | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Did not bat | Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi | — | — | — | — | — |
| Extras | (w 4) | 4 | ||||
| TOTAL | 162/5 in 19.2 Overs | RR: 8.38 |
UAE Bowling — Afghanistan Innings
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | NB | WD | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junaid Siddique | 3.2 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6.90 |
| Haider Ali | 4 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8.20 |
| Muhammad Jawadullah | 4 | 0 | 39 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9.80 |
| Muhammad Arfan | 4 | 0 | 30 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7.50 |
| Simranjeet Singh | 4 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9.20 |
Afghanistan Chase Deep Analysis:
The final score makes the chase look comfortable.
But if you watched the game, you know it was anything but easy.
The United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard tells a story of pressure, patience, and one brilliant all-round performance that changed everything.
Afghanistan lost an early wicket, faced pressure in the middle overs, and still found a way to finish with confidence.
Let’s break the chase down phase by phase.
Powerplay (Overs 1–6): Early Shock, Then Calm Recovery
Afghanistan’s chase started in the worst possible way.
Second ball of the innings — wicket.
Junaid Siddique struck immediately and removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a golden duck. Trying to attack early, Gurbaz sliced the ball straight to Sohaib Khan at backward point.
Suddenly, UAE had energy.
Fans following Afghanistan vs United Arab Emirates and checking the Afg vs UAE Live Score could feel momentum shifting.
But Ibrahim Zadran never looked rushed.
Instead of forcing boundaries, he built the innings step by step. He rotated strike, found gaps, and made sure Afghanistan stayed in the game.
By the drinks break at 5.3 overs:
Afghanistan – 40/2
Ibrahim Zadran – 26 runs
Gulbadin Naib supported well with 13 off 12 balls, including a four and a six before Muhammad Arfan got the breakthrough.
This phase showed why the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard became more than just numbers — it became a test of temperament.
Middle Overs (Overs 7–15): Ibrahim Zadran Takes Control
This was the phase where Afghanistan rebuilt.
Ibrahim Zadran played the innings his team needed.
No flashy shots. No panic.
Just smart cricket.
His half-century came from 37 balls with 6 boundaries and 1 six. He scored at a healthy strike rate while keeping wickets in hand.
Meanwhile, Sediqullah Atal added 16 off 14 before Muhammad Jawadullah dismissed him.
Then came another big moment.
Zadran fell for 53 in the 13th over after being caught by Muhammad Waseem off Muhammad Arfan.
At that stage:
Afghanistan – 97/4 after 13.1 overs
Need – 64 runs from 41 balls
That is not easy in a World Cup game.
UAE sensed a chance.
Muhammad Arfan finished with excellent figures of 2/30 and kept pressure throughout.
For a short moment, the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard looked like it might produce an upset.
Death Overs (Overs 14–19.2): Rasooli and Omarzai Finish the Job
Pressure creates heroes.
This phase belonged to Afghanistan.
Darwish Rasooli came in with clear intent.
He scored 33 from only 23 balls and never allowed the required rate to climb.
His partnership with Azmatullah Omarzai changed everything.
Together they added 43 runs in just 4.2 overs.
Fast.
Smart.
Controlled.
Rasooli eventually got bowled by Junaid Siddique when Afghanistan reached 140/5.
That left:
21 needed from 15 balls.
Still not over.
Still pressure.
But Omarzai looked completely in control.
People following Afg vs UAE Live and Afg vs UAE Today Match could see the confidence growing with every shot.
Azmatullah Omarzai: The Man Who Finished It
Some players perform.
Some players take over.
Azmatullah Omarzai did both.
He stayed unbeaten on 40 off just 21 balls.
His innings included:
- 2 fours
- 3 sixes
- Strike Rate: 190.48
With Mohammad Nabi quietly supporting at the other end, Omarzai kept attacking the right deliveries.
Then came the finish.
A crisp cover-drive boundary in over 19.2.
Game over.
Afghanistan win.
That moment completed one of the biggest highlights in the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard.
Azmatullah Omarzai – The Ultimate Match Winner
Let’s appreciate what he actually did.
| Role | Performance |
|---|---|
| Bowling | 4 Overs, 15 Runs, 4 Wickets |
| Economy | 3.80 |
| Batting | 40* off 21 Balls |
| Boundaries | 2 Fours, 3 Sixes |
| Player of the Match | Yes |
| Impact Score | 167.71 |
Think about that for a second.
He gave away only 15 runs in four overs.
Then came out and finished the chase.
That is elite T20 cricket.
The United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard may show Afghanistan won by 5 wickets, but Omarzai’s performance was the real headline.
UAE’s Bowlers Deserved More Credit Than They Got
The result says Afghanistan won, but UAE’s bowlers made them work for every run.
In the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, UAE’s bowling effort was one of the biggest positives.
- Junaid Siddique (2/23) was outstanding. He removed Gurbaz with the second ball of the chase and later dismissed Rasooli at a crucial stage. Calm, disciplined, and smart throughout.
- Muhammad Arfan (2/30) used the slower surface well and picked up two important wickets — Naib and the well-set Ibrahim Zadran.
- Muhammad Jawadullah (1/39) delivered a key breakthrough by removing Atal with a sharp delivery that brought UAE back into the game.
- Haider Ali (0/33) and Simranjeet Singh (0/37) went for runs late on, but they kept attacking and never allowed Afghanistan to relax.
UAE may not have had a superstar bowling attack, but they competed hard and stayed in the match until the final overs. That effort deserves recognition in this United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard.
Afghanistan vs United Arab Emirates: What This Result Means
The United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard was more than just a result—it had a real impact on Group D.
- Afghanistan secured their first Group D win and gained a big confidence boost.
- They moved ahead of UAE on net run rate, which could matter later in qualification.
- Both teams’ Super 8 chances still depended on other group results.
- UAE lost, but scoring 160 runs against Afghanistan showed strong progress and competitiveness.
- Officially listed as T20I No. 3716, the match reflected the continued growth of global cricket.
This Afghanistan vs United Arab Emirates clash proved that every run and every over mattered.
Where to Watch United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team
Wondering where to watch United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team live or on replay? Here’s your full guide:
| Platform | Region | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Star Sports Network | India & South Asia | TV Broadcast |
| Disney+ Hotstar | India | Live Streaming |
| Sky Sports | United Kingdom | TV Broadcast |
| Willow TV | USA & Canada | TV & Streaming |
| ICC.tv | Select countries | Live Streaming |
| ESPNCricinfo / Cricbuzz | Global | Live Score & Commentary |
For Afg vs UAE Live Score updates, ESPNCricinfo and Cricbuzz remain the gold standard for Afg vs UAE Live ball-by-ball coverage. The ICC’s official website is also your best bet for official tournament standings and schedules.
Fall of Wickets Summary – How the Match Changed
Sometimes a scorecard does not tell the full story.
The United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard became interesting because both teams lost wickets at moments that completely changed momentum.
UAE Fall of Wickets
- 0/1 – Aryansh Sharma dismissed (0.1 overs)
Not the start UAE wanted. Losing a wicket on the very first ball immediately created pressure. - 10/2 – Muhammad Waseem dismissed (early overs)
Another early setback left UAE rebuilding instead of attacking. - 97/3 – Alishan Sharafu dismissed (12th over)
Just when UAE looked ready to accelerate, Afghanistan struck again. - 140/5 – Middle-order collapse
UAE lost momentum during the death overs and could not finish as strongly as planned. - 160/9 – Innings closed (20 overs)
Afghanistan’s bowlers controlled the final overs and restricted the total.
Afghanistan Fall of Wickets
- 0/1 – Rahmanullah Gurbaz dismissed (0.2 overs)
A golden duck. UAE got the perfect start and briefly took control. - 40/2 – Gulbadin Naib dismissed (5.3 overs)
Afghanistan were steady but still under pressure. - 70/3 – Sediqullah Atal dismissed (9.5 overs)
UAE kept finding breakthroughs and stayed in the contest. - 97/4 – Ibrahim Zadran dismissed (13.1 overs)
This felt like the biggest wicket of the chase. Afghanistan suddenly needed experience and calm. - 140/5 – Darwish Rasooli dismissed (17.3 overs)
UAE still had hope with 21 runs needed. - 162/5 – Afghanistan reached the target (19.2 overs)
Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi finished the chase with confidence.
This phase-by-phase wicket pattern is one of the reasons the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard remained competitive until the final overs and turned into a memorable Afghanistan vs United Arab Emirates clash.
Conclusion
The United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from T20 World Cup 2026 is one of those results you’ll want to save. It had everything — a shocking early wicket, a rescue act, a brilliant UAE fightback, and then one man tearing the match apart with both ball and bat.
The United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team contest showed that associate cricket is no longer a formality. UAE posted 160, took 5 wickets in the chase, and made Afghanistan genuinely uncomfortable. That’s progress.
But Omarzai was simply on another level. His 4/15 throttled the UAE innings; his 40* off 21 finished the chase. No other player in this match came close to that kind of impact on both sides of the game.
For anyone tracking the Afg vs UAE T20 journey through the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, this is the scorecard to bookmark. Afghanistan got their first win. UAE showed their class. And cricket, as always, delivered the goods.
FAQs: United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Q1. What was the final result of the UAE vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2026 match?
A: Afghanistan won by 5 wickets with 4 balls remaining, chasing down UAE’s total of 160 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on February 16, 2026.
Q2. What was UAE’s total in the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard?
A: UAE scored 160/9 in 20 overs at a run rate of 8.00. Muhammad Jawadullah did not bat.
Q3. What was Afghanistan’s score in the chase?
A: Afghanistan finished on 162/5 in 19.2 overs at a run rate of 8.38.
Q4. Who was the top scorer for UAE in the Afg vs UAE match?
A: Sohaib Khan was UAE’s top scorer with a brilliant 68 off 48 balls — 6 fours and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 141.67.
Q5. Who was the Player of the Match?
A: Azmatullah Omarzai of Afghanistan won the Player of the Match award for his stunning all-round performance — 4 wickets for 15 runs with the ball and 40 not out off 21 balls with the bat.
Q6. How did Ibrahim Zadran perform in the Afghanistan chase?
A: Ibrahim Zadran scored a crucial 53 off 41 balls (6 fours, 1 six, SR: 129.27) and brought up his fifty off 37 balls, providing the foundation for Afghanistan’s successful chase.
Q7. Who took the most wickets for UAE in the bowling?
A: Junaid Siddique and Muhammad Arfan both took 2 wickets each for UAE. Siddique’s figures were 2/23 (ECO: 6.90) and Arfan’s were 2/30 (ECO: 7.50).
Q8. Where to watch United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team matches?
A: Live coverage is available on Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar (India), Sky Sports (UK), and Willow TV (USA). For live scores, visit ESPNCricinfo or Cricbuzz.
Q9. Who won the toss in the Afg vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 game?
A: Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field first.
Q10. Was this Afghanistan’s first win in the T20 World Cup 2026?
A: Yes! This was Afghanistan’s first victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group stage — a hugely important result for the team’s campaign and Group D standings.
Q11. How did Rahmanullah Gurbaz get out?
A: Gurbaz was dismissed for a golden duck (0 off 2 balls), caught by Sohaib Khan off Junaid Siddique on the second ball of Afghanistan’s innings.
Q12. What was Muhammad Arfan’s unusual dismissal?
A: Muhammad Arfan was dismissed hit wicket off Rashid Khan’s bowling — one of the rarest dismissals in cricket, and a real talking point from this match.
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