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Afghanistan were made to work hard by a determined UAE side before clinching a five-wicket win in Group D of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Delhi on Monday.
Chasing a target of 161, Afghanistan crossed the line with four balls remaining, but not before being tested at several stages. Their reply suffered an early setback with the dismissal of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, prompting Gulbadin Naib and Ibrahim Zadran to steady the innings. The pair added 40 runs for the second wicket, with Zadran setting the tone by attacking Haider Ali in the fourth over, collecting 18 runs through a flurry of boundaries.
Zadran continued to anchor the chase, later sharing a 30-run partnership with Sediqullah Atal, who scored 16 from 14 balls before falling to Jawadullah. Zadran went on to register a composed half-century, eventually departing for 53 off 41 deliveries, an innings highlighted by six fours and a six.
Darwish Rasooli then played a crucial supporting role, contributing 33 off 23 balls as he combined with Azmatullah Omarzai in a 43-run stand for the fifth wicket. With 52 runs still needed from the final five overs, Omarzai first ensured stability and then launched a decisive assault in the closing stages.
Omarzai finished unbeaten on 40 from just 21 balls, striking two fours and three sixes, including the boundary that sealed victory early in the final over. His impact was felt earlier in the match as well, when he delivered a standout bowling performance, returning figures of 4 for 15 to play a pivotal all-round role in Afghanistan’s opening win of the tournament.
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, the UAE posted a competitive 160 for 9 from their 20 overs. Alishan Sharafu chipped in with 40 from 31 balls, while Sohaib Khan held the innings together with a well-paced 68 off 48 deliveries. Despite their resistance, the UAE were kept in check by disciplined bowling, led by Omarzai, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed two wickets. Captain Rashid Khan also picked up one dismissal, reaching the milestone of 700 T20 wickets in the process.
Afghanistan will wrap up their group-stage fixtures against Canada at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday. Meanwhile, the UAE will look to regroup ahead of their next encounter against South Africa in Delhi on Wednesday.
