Afghanistan Complete 3-0 T20I Series Sweep Over West Indies In Dubai

Afghanistan continued their remarkable run in T20 international cricket by sealing a 3-0 series whitewash over the West Indies, capping off a dominant display in the third and final T20I at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on January 22, 2026. With the T20 World Cup looming on the horizon, both teams approached this match as a crucial dress rehearsal, but it was Afghanistan who showcased greater composure, skill, and tactical awareness throughout the series.

Coming into the third T20I, Afghanistan had already clinched the series with convincing wins in the first two games—by 38 runs in the opener and 39 runs in the second match. The West Indies, led by Brandon King, found themselves searching for answers against a well-drilled Afghan unit captained by Rashid Khan. The Caribbean side’s struggles against spin and inability to sustain momentum in run chases were exposed once again in Dubai’s challenging conditions.

Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that paid dividends as their bowlers applied early pressure. The West Indies openers, Johnson Charles and Brandon King, began cautiously, reaching 27 without loss after four overs. Charles, looking to force the pace, was bowled by Shahidullah Kamal for 17 off 17, leaving the visitors at 27 for 1.

King, however, looked determined to anchor the innings. He struck boundaries with authority and cleared the ropes with confidence, racing to 47 off 35 balls. But just as the West Indies seemed poised to accelerate, Rashid Khan turned the tide. The Afghan skipper dismissed King with a well-disguised delivery, inducing a slog-sweep that found deep midwicket. Moments later, Rashid bowled Shimron Hetmyer around his legs for 13, leaving the West Indies reeling and robbing them of their two most explosive batsmen.

Wickets continued to tumble through the middle and death overs as Afghanistan’s bowling attack, featuring the likes of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, tightened their grip. Keacy Carty, who had looked to settle in, was dismissed for 10 off 19 by Abdullah Ahmadzai, and Quentin Sampson fell in the 18th over to Sharifi. The late overs saw a brief cameo from Shamar Springer, whose 16 off 9 balls lifted the West Indies past 150. Roston Forde contributed a brisk 27 off 11, but his departure in the penultimate over summed up the visitors’ inability to build lasting partnerships. The West Indies finished on 151 for 7 after 20 overs—a competitive total, but one that looked a touch light against Afghanistan’s in-form batting lineup.

Afghanistan’s chase got off to a flying start. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran capitalized on erratic West Indian bowling, collecting 16 runs from a chaotic opening over that included several wides. Zadran took the initiative, racing to 22 off 15 with four boundaries, while Gurbaz settled in with 16 off 15. At the five-over mark, Afghanistan were 42 without loss, well ahead of the required rate.

By the halfway stage, the Afghan openers had taken their team to 72 without loss. Gurbaz anchored the stand with 38 off 34, and Zadran provided steady support with 28 off 26. With 80 runs needed from 60 balls and all wickets intact, Afghanistan looked firmly in control. It was this composure and calculated aggression that had defined their campaign throughout the series.

West Indies’ bowlers, led by Gudakesh Motie and Khary Pierre, tried to claw their way back, but the lack of early breakthroughs and persistent extras proved costly. Afghanistan’s batting depth, bolstered by the likes of Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli—both of whom had starred earlier in the series—meant that the required rate never spiraled out of control.

The third T20I, while technically a dead rubber, was anything but meaningless. Both teams treated it as a key preparation match ahead of the T20 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka later in the year. Afghanistan’s ability to rotate their bowlers and maintain pressure in the middle overs was a clear statement of intent. Their spinners, especially Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, have continued to trouble even the most seasoned batsmen on the international stage.

Reflecting on the series, Rashid Khan said after the second match, “It was a different challenge. West Indies are special in the T20 format and we had to comeback as a team after a bad Asia Cup. This prep will help us in the World Cup. In these conditions, length and line is important. The middle-order partnership makes me happy and that’s the area we were working on till the 14th over. So happy how Rasooli took responsibility and everyone chipping in. It’s about how much effort we can put in the ground and keep hitting the right length. Hetmyer started hitting and things were different. You have to put the effort till the last ball, something that we did today.”

Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who was named Player of the Match in the second T20I for his sensational hat-trick, credited his success to keeping things simple. “Congrats to everyone for the series win. The plan was to keep it simple and hit the stumps. Happy with the hat-trick. Didn’t know I was on a hat-trick and I was just looking to hit the right areas. Good prep for us before the World Cup and West Indies are a good side. This win will give us more energy,” said Mujeeb, as translated by Rashid Khan.

The West Indies, for their part, acknowledged the need for improvement. Captain Brandon King remarked after the second game, “Hetty played a fantastic innings, but after he got out, I had to be the person finishing it. The fielding has been a disappointment but that’s something we keep working on. As professionals, we will look to improve tomorrow. We were just trying to target the short boundary with the left-right combination.”

As the series draws to a close, Afghanistan’s 3-0 sweep over the West Indies stands as a testament to their growing stature in world cricket. The team’s blend of youth and experience, tactical clarity, and fearless approach bode well for the challenges ahead. For the West Indies, the series offered hard lessons but also glimpses of promise, particularly through individual performances from King and Hetmyer. With the T20 World Cup just months away, both teams will look to build on these experiences as they chase glory on the global stage.