Afghanistan Secures First T20 World Cup Win by Defeating UAE
Afghanistan's national cricket team defeated the United Arab Emirates by five wickets with four balls remaining in their third match of the T20 World Cup on Monday at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Afghanistan chased a target of 161 runs, reaching 162 for five wickets in 19.2 overs. Azmatullah Omarzai was the standout performer, taking four wickets for 15 runs in four overs with an economy rate of 3.75, then scoring an unbeaten 40 off 21 balls, including three sixes, to turn the game after a mid-innings collapse.
Ibrahim Zadran laid the foundation with 53 runs off 41 balls, featuring six fours and one six. Darwish Abdulrasooli contributed 33 off 23 balls to aid the recovery. The innings began with Rahmanullah Gurbaz dismissed for a duck in the first over, followed by short stays from Gulbadin Naib (13) and Siddiqullah Atal (16), leaving Afghanistan at 97 for four in the 14th over. Abdulrasooli fell at 140 for five, but Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi (3 not out) guided the team home.
Earlier, UAE posted 160 for nine in 20 overs, led by Shehbir Khan's 68 off 48 balls and Alishan Sharafu's 40 off 31 balls. Afghanistan's Mujeeb ur Rahman took two wickets for 31 runs, while Rashid Khan claimed one.
This victory earns Afghanistan their first points after two initial losses, keeping their hopes alive for advancing from the group stage.
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