New Delhi, February 16 – Afghanistan’s cricket team breathed a sigh of relief with a thrilling five-wicket victory over UAE in their Group D clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 qualifiers at Arun Jaitley Stadium. Captain Rashid Khan, who claimed one wicket for just 24 runs, expressed satisfaction in securing the win and optimism for the road ahead.
This victory marks Afghanistan’s first in the tournament, lifting their spirits after two losses in three games. They now sit third on the Group D points table and face Canada in their final league match on February 19. UAE batted first, stuttering to 160 for nine, before Afghanistan chased it down in 19.2 overs.
In the post-match presentation, Rashid reflected on the game. ‘I’m happy we finished the match with a win. Winning in a World Cup is always crucial,’ he said. He praised the bowling in the last 10 overs but admitted early lapses. ‘We missed our lines initially, and UAE played well. The first 10 overs weren’t up to our standard. We need to be more consistent there.’
Despite opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s early dismissal, Ibrahim Zadran’s aggressive knock turned the chase. Rashid lauded Zadran’s approach, noting Gurbaz’s natural aggression is key in powerplays, but longevity on the crease matters most for the team.
Looking ahead, Rashid highlighted veterans like Mohammad Nabi, Omarzai, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. ‘There’s still hope for the next stage. We need a positive mindset. Even if we don’t advance, we’ll play cricket that makes our nation proud.’ This win injects momentum as Afghanistan eyes a strong finish.