Afghanistan secured a composed five-wicket victory over United Arab Emirates in their T20 World Cup clash in Delhi, chasing down the target with measured confidence to strengthen their position in the tournament.
After winning the toss, UAE opted to bat first but found scoring difficult against Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling attack. Regular wickets prevented them from building sustained partnerships, and despite a brief middle-order recovery, UAE were restricted to a modest total. Afghanistan’s bowlers varied their pace cleverly on a slightly gripping surface, ensuring the run rate never spiralled out of control.
In reply, Afghanistan approached the chase with patience rather than aggression. The openers provided a steady start, rotating strike effectively and punishing loose deliveries. Though UAE managed to pick up wickets at intervals to keep the contest alive, Afghanistan never allowed the required rate to climb beyond reach.
A composed middle-order partnership proved decisive, absorbing pressure after a couple of quick dismissals. With calm shot selection and intelligent running between the wickets, Afghanistan edged closer to the target before sealing the win in the final overs with five wickets in hand.
The victory not only adds crucial points to Afghanistan’s campaign in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 but also highlights their growing maturity in handling chases under pressure. Their balanced approach — disciplined bowling followed by calculated batting — once again underlined why they are considered one of the most dangerous sides in the T20 format.
For UAE, the defeat exposes areas needing improvement, particularly in building longer partnerships and finishing strongly with the bat. Afghanistan, meanwhile, march on with momentum firmly on their side.
