Afghanistan Dominate West Indies In T20I Series Opener

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium buzzed with anticipation on January 19, 2026, as Afghanistan and West Indies kicked off their T20I series—a pivotal warm-up ahead of the looming T20 World Cup. With less than three weeks to go before the global tournament, both teams arrived in the UAE eager to fine-tune their lineups and test their mettle in the high-pressure arena of international cricket.

Afghanistan, led by the dynamic Rashid Khan, entered the contest with a spring in their step and a notable psychological edge. Historically, Afghanistan have held their own against the Caribbean side, boasting five wins in their previous eight T20I encounters. Their most recent clash in the 2024 T20 World Cup had seen Afghanistan deliver a thumping 104-run victory over West Indies in Guyana—a result still fresh in the minds of both squads.

This time, though, the stakes were different. The Dubai pitch, known for its even bounce and favoring both spinners and power-hitters, promised a spectacle. Afghanistan won the toss and, without hesitation, opted to bat first. The decision placed immediate pressure on West Indies, captained by Brandon King, who was keen to see his side make a statement after a patchy run in the shortest format.

Afghanistan’s opening gambit didn’t go as planned. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, usually a reliable presence at the top, was run out for a golden duck on the very first ball—Gudakesh Motie’s sharp fielding doing the damage. Sediqullah Atal followed soon after, falling for just 2 runs as Jayden Seales struck early. At 2 for 2, Afghanistan’s innings threatened to unravel before it had even begun.

But cricket, as ever, is a game of partnerships—and Afghanistan found their saviors in Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli. The pair dug in and then flourished, launching a breathtaking counterattack that would define the match. Zadran, calm and composed, played anchor while Rasooli unleashed a barrage of aggressive strokes. Together, they constructed a monumental 162-run partnership, taking the West Indies bowlers to task and shifting the momentum decisively.

Zadran’s knock was a masterclass in T20 batting: 87 runs off 56 balls, peppered with eight boundaries and three sixes. Rasooli wasn’t far behind, hammering 84 runs from 59 deliveries, including eight fours and two maximums. Their partnership not only steadied the ship but also set the platform for a daunting total. Despite the early setbacks, Afghanistan finished on a commanding 182 for 3 in their 20 overs—an imposing score in Dubai’s night air.

West Indies’ bowlers, for their part, struggled to find answers. Jayden Seales managed one wicket but went for 30 runs in his four overs. Matthew Forde and Khary Pierre also toiled, conceding 51 and 42 runs respectively, while Shamar Joseph’s debut was a trial by fire as he leaked 40 runs without reward. The only real bright spot was Gudakesh Motie, who kept things relatively tight with figures of 0 for 18 in his four overs.

Chasing 183, West Indies needed a solid start—but Afghanistan’s bowlers had other ideas. The Windies lost Evin Lewis early, caught at deep square leg off Ziaur Rahman Sharifi’s bowling. Johnson Charles offered resistance with a brisk 27 from 16 balls, laced with three fours and two sixes, but his attempt at a switch-hit ended in an LBW dismissal courtesy of Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Shimron Hetmyer and Amir Jangoo tried to rebuild, but Rashid Khan, living up to his reputation, struck twice in quick succession—first removing Hetmyer and then trapping Jangoo LBW.

Fielding woes compounded the West Indies’ misery. Several crucial catches went down in the death overs, allowing Afghanistan’s total to look even more formidable. As the wickets tumbled, the Windies’ chase faltered badly. At the halfway mark, they were reeling at 57 for 5, with only cameos from Matthew Forde and Gudakesh Motie providing a glimmer of hope.

Debutant Shamar Joseph showed flashes of promise, playing a couple of stylish strokes, but the mounting pressure proved too much. The Afghan bowlers were relentless: Ziaur Rahman Sharifi starred with a three-wicket haul, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad each chipped in with two wickets apiece. West Indies were eventually restricted to 143 for 9, falling a hefty 38 runs short of their target.

Afghanistan’s fielding, bowling, and especially their middle-order batting were all on song. Their ability to recover from a precarious position at 2 for 2 and post a match-winning total spoke volumes about their resilience and growing maturity as a cricketing nation. The victory not only gave them a 1-0 lead in the series but also sent a clear message to their World Cup rivals: underestimate Afghanistan at your peril.

For West Indies, the loss was a sobering reminder of the work that remains ahead of the World Cup. While their bowling lacked discipline and their fielding let them down at key moments, there were still positives to take—especially the fighting spirit shown by their lower order. Brandon King and his coaching staff will no doubt be poring over the footage, searching for the right tweaks before the next outing.

The match also marked another milestone in Rashid Khan’s glittering career, as he edges closer to his 100th T20 International appearance. His leadership on the field—setting attacking fields, rotating his bowlers with precision, and leading by example—was instrumental in Afghanistan’s triumph.

Looking ahead, both teams will be desperate to iron out their flaws before the World Cup curtain rises. Afghanistan will want to build on their momentum, while West Indies must regroup quickly to avoid falling further behind in the series. With the next T20I just around the corner, fans can expect another fierce contest as these two sides continue their preparations for cricket’s biggest stage.

As the Dubai night drew to a close, it was Afghanistan’s all-round display that stole the show. Their 38-run win was comprehensive, but with more matches to come, the series is far from over. The road to the T20 World Cup just got a little more interesting.