Afghanistan secured a dramatic five-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in a nail-biting UAE vs AFG clash during Match 28 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The contest went down to the final over, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball.
This win marks Afghanistan’s first victory of the tournament, though their qualification hopes for the Super 8 stage remain slim. Meanwhile, the result officially confirmed South Africa’s progression to the next round.
UAE Post Competitive 160 After Batting First
After winning the toss, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan opted to bowl first in what was effectively a must-win encounter. The decision appeared tactical, considering the pressure of a chase under tournament stakes.
The UAE batting lineup responded with a disciplined performance. They posted 160 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 20 overs, setting Afghanistan a target of 161.
The standout performer for the UAE was Alishan Sharafu, who delivered a composed and aggressive innings of 68 runs. His knock anchored the innings and ensured the team had a defendable total on the board.
UAE Innings Summary
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Scorer | Best Bowling (AFG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | 160/9 | 20 | Alishan Sharafu – 68 | Notable combined effort |
Although wickets fell at regular intervals, UAE managed to maintain momentum through the middle overs. However, Afghanistan bowlers restricted a late surge, preventing the total from crossing the 170-mark.
Afghanistan’s Chase Goes Down to the Wire
Chasing 161 in a high-pressure UAE vs AFG encounter, Afghanistan found themselves in a tense battle as UAE bowlers struck at key moments.
Openers gave Afghanistan a steady start before wickets began to tumble. The turning point came through a composed innings from Ibrahim Zadran, who scored a crucial 53 runs. His knock provided stability and kept Afghanistan in the hunt during the middle overs.
Later, Azmatullah Omarzai delivered a match-winning unbeaten 40 off just 21 balls. His calculated aggression in the death overs proved decisive.
Darwish Rasooli also contributed with 33 valuable runs, forming important partnerships that prevented the required run rate from escalating out of control.
The chase ultimately went into the final over, with Afghanistan holding their nerve to seal the match with five wickets in hand.
Afghanistan Innings Summary
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Scorer | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 161/5 | 20 (Final Over) | Ibrahim Zadran – 53 | Won by 5 wickets |
For the UAE, Junaid Siddique and Muhammad Irfan claimed two wickets each, keeping the contest alive deep into the final over.
Playing XIs – UAE vs AFG
UAE Playing XI
Aryansh Sharma (wk), Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Sohail Khan, Syed Haider, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Irfan, Haider Ali, Simranjeet Singh, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah
Afghanistan Playing XI
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Zia-ur-Rehman Sharifi
What This Means for the Tournament
While Afghanistan celebrated their first win of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, their path to the Super 8 remains complicated due to earlier defeats. However, the performance in this UAE vs AFG showdown demonstrated resilience and improved finishing under pressure.
The defeat ends UAE’s hopes in the competition, though they displayed strong character and competitiveness throughout the match.
With this result, South Africa confirmed their place as the third team to qualify for the Super 8 stage, adding further clarity to the tournament standings.
Also read: India vs Pakistan: India Seal Super 8 Spot with 61-Run Victory in T20 World Cup 2026 Thriller
Conclusion:
The UAE vs AFG clash will be remembered as one of the most thrilling matches of the T20 World Cup 2026 so far. From Sharafu’s commanding 68 to Omarzai’s calm finishing act, the game showcased why T20 cricket remains one of the most unpredictable and exciting formats in world sport.
As the tournament progresses, Afghanistan will look to build momentum, while UAE can take pride in pushing a higher-ranked side to the brink in a high-stakes contest.
Stay tuned for more global updates and live coverage from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.