Afghanistan vs West Indies 1st T20 Highlights: AFG Win by 38 Runs | Match Report 2026
If the West Indies thought their road to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was going to be a smooth ride, they just hit a massive roadblock in the desert. In a game that was supposed to be a “warm-up” for the Caribbean giants, Afghanistan delivered a cold, hard reality check at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
On Monday (January 19), the Afghans didn’t just beat the West Indies; they outclassed them in every department. A stunning 38-run victory has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, proving once again that Afghanistan is no longer a “dark horse”—they are genuine title contenders.
From a disastrous start of 19/2 to a commanding total of 181/3, followed by a spin-bowling masterclass, here is the deep dive into how Afghanistan stunned the two-time champions.
The Turning Point: From Disaster to Domination
The match began with high drama. Afghanistan’s aggressive opener, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, was run out on the very first ball of the match—a “diamond duck” nightmare triggered by a sharp direct hit from Gudakesh Motie. When Sediqullah Atal followed soon after, caught brilliantly by Brandon King at slip, Afghanistan was reeling at 19/2.
At that moment, the West Indies pacers smelled blood. The ball was moving, and the pressure was immense. But what happened next was a display of maturity that defines the “New Afghanistan.”
The Partnership That Changed Everything
Enter Darwish Rasooli and Ibrahim Zadran.
Instead of panicking, the duo settled in. They absorbed the early pressure from Matthew Forde and Jayden Seales before unleashing carnage. It wasn’t just slogging; it was calculated aggression. They put together a monumental 162-run partnership off just 106 balls, completely shutting the West Indies out of the game.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Key Stat |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 87* | 56 | 155.35 | Anchored the innings till the end |
| Darwish Rasooli | 84 | 59 | 142.37 | Player of the Match Performance |
Rasooli, often overshadowed by the bigger names in the squad, played the innings of his life. His 84 was laced with elegant drives and powerful pulls, forcing the West Indies bowlers to alter their lengths. By the time the innings ended, Afghanistan had posted 181/3, a total that looked psychologically impossible for the Windies on a slowing track.
West Indies Bowling: A Tale of Two Halves
The West Indies bowling figures tell a story of lost control. While Jayden Seales tried to keep things tight (1/30), the support was non-existent. Matthew Forde, usually reliable, was taken to the cleaners, conceding 51 runs in his 4 overs.
The lack of discipline in the middle overs allowed Afghanistan to rotate the strike freely, a flaw that West Indies must address before the World Cup.
West Indies Bowling Card
| Bowler | Overs | Wickets | Runs Conceded | Economy |
| Jayden Seales | 4.0 | 1 | 30 | 7.50 |
| Gudakesh Motie | 4.0 | 0 | 28 | 7.00 |
| Matthew Forde | 4.0 | 1 | 51 | 12.75 |
The Chase: The “Spin Web” Traps the Caribbean Power
Chasing 182 in Dubai under lights is never easy, especially when the opposition has the best spin attack in the world. The West Indies needed a flying start, but they got a crash landing.
The top order collapsed spectacularly. Brandon King (4) and Evin Lewis (4) fell cheaply, unable to read the variations. Within the Powerplay, the West Indies were staring down the barrel. By the halfway mark, the scoreboard read a horror 50/5.
The Spin Trio Effect
Afghanistan’s famous spin troika—Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad—were unplayable. They didn’t just take wickets; they strangled the scoring rate.
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/29) started the slide with the new ball.
- Rashid Khan (2/19) was at his magical best, confusing batters with his googly.
- Noor Ahmad (2/34) cleaned up the middle order.
Brief Fightback: Sampson & Forde
There was a brief shimmer of hope when Quenton Sampson (30 off 24) and Matthew Forde (25 off 21) combined for a 45-run stand. They attacked the younger pacers, trying to salvage some pride. However, the asking rate had climbed above 15 runs per over, forcing errors.
The introduction of pacer Ziaur Rahman Sharifi (3/36) finished off the tail. Sharifi proved that Afghanistan isn’t just about spin anymore; they have pacers who can clean up the lower order.
Detailed Match Scorecard Summary
For the stat-lovers, here is the breakdown of the match that stunned the fans.
Match Result: Afghanistan won by 38 Runs
| Innings | Score | Overs | Top Scorer | Best Bowler |
| Afghanistan | 181/3 | 20.0 | I. Zadran (87*) | J. Seales (1/30) |
| West Indies | 143/9 | 20.0 | Q. Sampson (30) | Z. Sharifi (3/36) |
Analysis: What Does This Mean for World Cup 2026?
This result is significant for three major reasons:
- Conditions in India/Sri Lanka: The T20 World Cup 2026 is being held in the subcontinent. The pitch in Dubai (slow, turning) mirrors what teams will face in India. If West Indies cannot handle spin in Dubai, they are in serious trouble for the World Cup.
- Afghanistan’s Batting Depth: For years, Afghanistan relied solely on their bowling. The emergence of Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli as reliable, long-innings batters makes them a complete team.
- West Indies’ Top Order Fragility: The “Hit out or Get out” approach of the Windies top order failed miserably against quality bowling. They need a Plan B.
Expert Take: “This wasn’t an upset. This was a statement. Afghanistan just showed the world that on Asian pitches, they are the team to beat.”
What’s Next?
The action isn’t over. The West Indies have a chance to redeem themselves, but the turnaround time is short.
- 2nd T20I: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
- Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
- Prediction: Expect West Indies to come hard, but if the pitch turns, advantage Afghanistan.
Can Rashid Khan and his men seal the series? Or will the Calypso Kings bounce back?
Stay tuned to this space for live updates on the 2nd T20I!
