Shamar Springer Hat-Trick Lifts West Indies Over Afghanistan

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium was awash with anticipation on January 22, 2026, as Afghanistan and the West Indies squared off in the third and final T20I of their three-match series. With Afghanistan already having clinched the series 2-0, all eyes were on whether they could complete a memorable clean sweep or if the West Indies would salvage pride with a consolation win. The stakes felt even higher given the looming ICC T20 World Cup, making this match more than just a dead rubber—it was a critical test of mettle, strategy, and readiness for both squads.

Afghanistan, led by the ever-resourceful Rashid Khan, won the toss and opted to bowl first. Their decision was rooted in both tactical acumen and the desire to challenge their bowlers under pressure, a scenario that could well repeat itself in the World Cup. The Afghan playing XI featured a blend of youth and experience: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (captain), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, and Abdullah Ahmadzai. Across the aisle, West Indies captain Brandon King marshaled a side eager to shake off the disappointment of the previous two losses. Their lineup included King himself, Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles (wicketkeeper), Shimron Hetmyer, Quentin Sampson, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Khary Pierre, Shamar Springer, Gudakesh Motie, and Ramon Simmonds.

The series had already delivered drama and highlights: Afghanistan had sealed the trophy a day earlier, thanks to standout half-centuries from Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli, alongside a magical hat-trick from Mujeeb Ur Rahman. But on this particular night, it was the West Indies who seized the initiative. Batting first, they posted a fighting total of 151/7. The innings was anchored by Brandon King’s composed 47, a knock that held the side together as wickets tumbled at regular intervals. The Afghan bowlers, notably Ziaur Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Abdullah Ahmadzai, kept things tight, but the Windies found late momentum courtesy of Matthew Forde (27 off 11 balls) and Shamar Springer (16 off 9 balls). Their late-order fireworks propelled the visitors to a total that, while not daunting, was certainly competitive given the conditions.

Afghanistan’s chase started brightly. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran put on a 74-run partnership without loss before the drinks break, setting the stage for what looked like a routine pursuit. Gurbaz, in particular, was fluent, finding boundaries with ease and rotating the strike smartly. The hosts appeared to be cruising, their fans already dreaming of a whitewash. But cricket, as ever, had other ideas.

The turning point came with the introduction of Shamar Springer into the attack. The West Indies all-rounder produced a spell for the ages, claiming four wickets for just 20 runs in his four overs—including a dramatic hat-trick in the 19th over. Springer’s first victim in the hat-trick sequence was Rahmanullah Gurbaz, caught brilliantly by Matthew Forde at deep mid-wicket. Next, Rashid Khan fell, and then Shahidullah Kamal was bowled, sending shockwaves through the Afghan dressing room. Springer’s celebration was pure Caribbean flair, and his teammates mobbed him in delight. "It felt great to finally get a T20I hat-trick after waiting for my turn. My only focus was to give my best whenever I got the opportunity," Springer shared after being named Player of the Match.

Afghanistan’s middle order, which had been so vital in the series win, faltered under the relentless pressure. After a position of relative comfort at 95 for 1, the hosts lost wickets in clusters. No batter other than Gurbaz and Zadran managed to make a significant impact, and the required run rate crept up ominously. The Windies’ fielding was sharp, with only a solitary drop in the Powerplay marring an otherwise flawless display. The bowlers, inspired by Springer, stuck to their plans—targeting the bigger boundaries and mixing up their pace to stifle the Afghan batters.

With 20 runs needed off the final over, the task proved too steep. Afghanistan finished on 136/8 in their 20 overs, falling 15 runs short of the target. The West Indies, jubilant, had finally tasted victory on this UAE tour, avoiding the ignominy of a whitewash and heading home with renewed confidence. "This win and the performance are much closer to the standard we want to set as a team," Brandon King remarked, praising his bowlers for their discipline and execution.

For Afghanistan, the defeat was a sobering reminder of the work still to be done ahead of the World Cup. Rashid Khan, ever the pragmatist, reflected on the lessons learned: "This series was a vital benchmark for us before the World Cup. We’ve seen positives, but we need to improve in the death overs, especially in restricting teams from scoring heavily at the end." The Afghan skipper also emphasized the importance of composure during chases and the need for the bowling unit to finish strongly—an area that could prove decisive in high-pressure tournament matches.

Amid the disappointment, there was personal recognition for Darwish Rasooli, who was named Player of the Series. Rasooli, who had played a key role in Afghanistan’s earlier victories, maintained a clear-eyed focus on the future: "We’re pleased with the series win, but our middle order needs work. We’ll address these gaps and come back stronger for the World Cup." His words echoed the mood in the Afghan camp—determined, but aware of the challenges ahead.

The significance of this series extended beyond the immediate result. For both teams, it provided a final, high-intensity rehearsal before the global stage beckons. The West Indies, with their morale boosted by a gutsy win, will now head to South Africa to fine-tune their combinations. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will regroup, analyze, and look to iron out the creases exposed in this final outing.

As the dust settles in Dubai, one thing is clear: both Afghanistan and the West Indies have plenty to play for in the weeks to come. The ICC T20 World Cup looms large, and if this series was any indication, fans are in for a pulsating tournament packed with drama, skill, and the kind of unpredictability that makes cricket so endlessly fascinating.