Cricket fans love matches that keep hearts racing till the final over. And honestly, the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard delivered exactly that. It had early wickets, explosive batting, smart bowling, nervous moments, and a calm finish from Afghanistan.
This wasn’t just another group-stage match. It felt like a proper cricket thriller where momentum changed faster than a T20 scoreboard refresh button.
In this article, we’ll break down the complete United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, top performances, turning points, expert opinions, fan reactions, and where you could watch the match live.
Match Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | 28th Match, Group D — ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2025/26 |
| Date | February 16, 2026 |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Toss | Afghanistan won, elected to field first |
| Result | Afghanistan won by 5 wickets (4 balls remaining) |
| Player of the Match | Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG) — 40* off 21 balls & 4/15 |
| Match Referee | Javagal Srinath |
UAE’s Innings: Sohaib Khan Was Carrying a Whole Nation on His Back
The United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team match scorecard opens with UAE batting first — well, sort of. Afghanistan won the toss and said, “You bat. We’ll have some fun with the ball.”
UAE started badly. Aryansh Sharma was out for a duck in the very first over — caught behind off Azmatullah Omarzai. Then Muhammad Waseem (c) fell for just 10 off a Mujeeb Ur Rahman beauty. At 13/2 inside 2 overs, UAE fans were already reaching for the antacids.
But then? Alishan Sharafu and Sohaib Khan decided enough was enough.
Sharafu made a classy 40 off 31 balls before Mujeeb got him too. And Sohaib Khan? He played what was arguably UAE’s best T20 innings in recent memory — 68 off 48 balls, hitting 6 fours and 4 sixes. A proper, old-fashioned anchoring knock mixed with a few fireworks.
The middle-order gave UAE some late momentum too. Syed Haider chipped in with 13, and Haider Ali scored 13 off 12. But Omarzai came back to rip through the lower order — 4 wickets for just 15 runs in 4 overs. The final total: 160/9 in 20 overs.
Respectable? Yes. Enough? Just barely not.
UAE’s Full Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aryansh Sharma | c †Gurbaz b Omarzai | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Muhammad Waseem (c) | lbw b Mujeeb | 10 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 166.66 |
| Alishan Sharafu | c Ibrahim b Mujeeb | 40 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 129.03 |
| Sohaib Khan | c Mujeeb b Omarzai | 68 | 48 | 6 | 4 | 141.66 |
| Syed Haider | b Omarzai | 13 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 130.00 |
| Harshit Kaushik | c †Gurbaz b Omarzai | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Muhammad Arfan | hit wicket b Rashid | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Haider Ali | run out | 13 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 108.33 |
| Simranjeet Singh | not out | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Junaid Siddique | run out | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Extras | (lb 4, nb 2, w 4) | 10 | ||||
| Total | 20 overs | 160/9 | RR: 8.00 |
Expert Insight: UAE’s knock was actually far better than the scoreline suggests. Sohaib Khan’s 68 would be a match-winning innings on most days. The problem was the collapse from 97/2 to 114/5 — those 3 quick wickets in the middle overs really hurt them. Had they scored 175+, this story might have had a different ending.
Afghanistan Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 4 | 0 | 15 | 4 | 3.75 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 4 | 0 | 31 | 2 | 7.75 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| Ziaur Rahman | 4 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 10.75 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| Rashid Khan | 4 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 6.00 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Noor Ahmad | 3 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 11.66 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Gulbadin Naib | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8.00 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Afghanistan’s Chase: Rollercoaster With a Happy Ending
Now THIS is where the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team match scorecard really gets exciting.
Junaid Siddique struck first ball almost — Rahmanullah Gurbaz, one of the most dangerous openers in world cricket, was gone for a duck! UAE were dancing. The crowd was buzzing.
But Ibrahim Zadran had other plans. He came out and batted beautifully — 53 off 41 balls. Gulbadin Naib (13), Sediqullah Atal (16), and Darwish Rasooli (33) all contributed. But every time Afghanistan were looking comfortable, UAE’s bowlers — especially Muhammad Arfan (2/30) and Junaid Siddique (2/23) — brought them right back into the game.
At 140/5 in 17.3 overs, Afghanistan still needed 21 off 15 balls. That’s when Azmatullah Omarzai — remember him? The guy who took 4 wickets? — came out and smashed 40 off just 21 balls, including 2 fours and 3 sixes. Afghanistan crossed the line with 4 balls to spare.
Total drama. Total entertainment. This is why we love T20 cricket.
Afghanistan’s Full Chase Scorecard
| Batsman | Dismissal | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz† | c Sohaib Khan b Junaid Siddique | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | c Muhammad Waseem b Muhammad Arfan | 53 | 41 | 64 | 6 | 1 | 129.26 |
| Gulbadin Naib | c Kaushik b Muhammad Arfan | 13 | 12 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 108.33 |
| Sediqullah Atal | b Muhammad Jawadullah | 16 | 14 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 114.28 |
| Darwish Rasooli | b Junaid Siddique | 33 | 23 | 37 | 3 | 1 | 143.47 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | not out | 40 | 21 | 31 | 2 | 3 | 190.47 |
| Mohammad Nabi | not out | 3 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | (w 4) | 4 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 19.2 Ov (RR: 8.37) | 162/5 | – | – | – | – | – |
UAE Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junaid Siddique | 3.2 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 6.90 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Haider Ali | 4 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 8.25 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Muhammad Jawadullah | 4 | 0 | 39 | 1 | 9.75 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Muhammad Arfan | 4 | 0 | 30 | 2 | 7.50 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Simranjeet Singh | 4 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 9.25 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Azmatullah Omarzai: The Man, The Myth, The Match-Winner
If there’s one player you need to talk about from the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team clash, it’s Omarzai. And we’re not even being dramatic here.
He took 4 wickets for just 15 runs with the ball — a stunning economy rate of 3.75 in a T20 match. Then he came out to bat at a critical moment and scored 40* off 21 balls at a strike rate of 190.47. He finished with 167.71 MVP points on Cricinfo. That’s not just a Player of the Match performance — that’s a one-man army performance.
UAE’s Bowling: Credit Where It’s Due
Let’s not forget — UAE’s bowlers fought hard too. In the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team game, they nearly pulled off a famous upset.
Junaid Siddique was brilliant — 2 wickets including Gurbaz for a duck in the very first over. Muhammad Arfan took 2/30 and nearly tilted the match UAE’s way when he dismissed Ibrahim Zadran at 97/4. Muhammad Jawadullah also got a wicket. UAE were genuinely in the contest until the last few overs.
Where to Watch United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team
Missed it live? Here’s where you can catch replays and highlights of the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team:
You can watch the full match replay and official highlights on ESPNcricinfo — they carry full scorecards, ball-by-ball commentary, and video highlights. Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar are also broadcasting T20 World Cup 2026 matches in the Indian subcontinent. For international fans, Willow TV (USA), Sky Sports (UK), and SuperSport (Africa) are your go-to platforms.
For the official scorecard of the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team match scorecard, visit the ICC’s official website for verified match data.
Key Moments That Defined the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match
- Gurbaz’s golden duck — UAE set the tone early, getting Afghanistan’s most dangerous opener out for a zero in the very first over.
- Sohaib Khan’s 68 — The backbone of UAE’s innings. Without him, UAE might not have even reached 130.
- Muhammad Arfan’s double wicket over — Removing Ibrahim Zadran at 97 was massive and nearly won UAE the match.
- Rashid Khan’s 700th T20 wicket milestone — Yes, Rashid hit 700 T20 wickets during this match. Historic!
- Omarzai’s closing blitz — 40 off 21 balls when his team needed it most. Ice in his veins.
Rashid Khan’s Historic Milestone
Here’s something we almost buried but absolutely cannot — during the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team match, Rashid Khan became the first bowler in history to take 700 T20 wickets. He ended with 1/24 from 4 overs, but that stat alone makes this match historic regardless of the result.
That’s 700 wickets in T20 cricket. Let that sink in for a second.
What This Result Means for Group D
This was Afghanistan’s first win of the T20 World Cup 2026, picking up 2 crucial points. UAE, despite the competitive show, went home with 0 points from this match. In Group D standings, Afghanistan needed this win badly — and they got it, though not without some serious drama.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is based on publicly available data from ESPNcricinfo and ICC official sources as of the match date — February 16, 2026. Statistics and facts have been cross-verified for accuracy. This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only.
Conclusion
What a match the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team turned out to be! The United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team match scorecard is proof that T20 cricket is the most unpredictable, heart-pumping format in sport. UAE nearly pulled off a World Cup upset, Sohaib Khan played a gem of a knock, and Azmatullah Omarzai reminded the world why he’s Afghanistan’s most complete cricketer right now.
If you’re a cricket fan, this United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team match scorecard is the kind of game you bookmark and come back to. Both teams showed grit. One team just had Omarzai.
Afghanistan take the 2 points. UAE take the hearts. Cricket wins.
FAQs — United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Q1. Who won the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team match?
Afghanistan won by 5 wickets with 4 balls remaining, chasing down UAE’s total of 160/9.
Q2. What was the final score in the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team match scorecard?
UAE posted 160/9 in 20 overs. Afghanistan chased it down in 19.2 overs, finishing at 162/5.
Q3. Who was the Player of the Match in the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team game?
Azmatullah Omarzai of Afghanistan was the Player of the Match, with figures of 4/15 with the ball and an unbeaten 40 off 21 balls with the bat.
Q4. Where was the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team T20 World Cup match played?
The match was played at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, on February 16, 2026.
Q5. Where to watch United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team highlights?
You can watch replays and highlights on ESPNcricinfo, Disney+ Hotstar, Star Sports, Willow TV, and Sky Sports depending on your region.
Thank you so much for reading! We hope this breakdown of the United Arab Emirates National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team match scorecard gave you everything you were looking for — from the drama to the stats to the moments that made this match unforgettable.
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