🏏ICC Men's T20 W C 2026: Group D, M 28: AFG vs UAE at Delhi🏏

🏏ICC Men's T20 W C 2026: Group D, M 28: AFG vs UAE at Delhi🏏

Afghanistan and UAE meet in Group D at a stage where every result begins to carry added weight. Afghanistan are still searching for their first win after being outplayed by New Zealand and then falling agonisingly short against South Africa in a match decided after two Super Overs, leaving them fourth in the standings. UAE, meanwhile, recovered from a heavy defeat to New Zealand to edge out Canada in a close contest, giving themselves a timely lift ahead of this fixture.

Afghanistan's campaign has swung between frustration and promise. They were unable to match New Zealand's control in their opening game, but against South Africa they showed their fighting qualities, pushing the contest deep before narrowly missing out in dramatic fashion.

The challenge now is to convert competitiveness into results, with sharper execution in key moments likely to determine whether they can keep their qualification hopes alive.

UAE, in contrast, have already experienced both extremes of tournament cricket. After a 10-wicket drubbing at the hands of New Zealand, they regrouped well to secure a narrow win against Canada, showing greater composure with both bat and ball. That result has given them a foothold in the group, and they will see this clash as another chance to strengthen their position.

When: Match 28, Monday, February 16 at 11:00 AM Local Time

Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi

What to expect: This will be the fourth match in Delhi and only the second to begin at 11 AM. Batting first in the morning and afternoon fixtures has not been straightforward, with scores around the 150 mark proving to be the norm and chasing sides coming out on top. The only 200-plus total at the venue came in an evening game when India reached 209 against Namibia, though batting was not quite as easy as that scoreline suggested. A total in the 170-180 range could therefore prove a strong, potentially match-defining score for the side setting the target.

Head to head: Afghanistan have a 11-3 advantage in T20Is against the UAE, including three wins in their last three face-offs. UAE last won against Afghanistan in Sharjah in December 2023.

Team News:

Afghanistan: Noor Ahmad replaced Ziaur Rahman in the previous game. While both have been expensive in their outings so far, the left-arm wrist-spinner could hold on to his place given the X-factor he offers.

Probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

UAE: Muhammad Jawadullah and Muhammad Farooq, both brought in for the last game, are likely to retain their spots. Jawadullah impressed with an economical spell of 1 for 16 in four overs against Canada, while Farooq conceded 19 runs from his two overs.

Probable XI: Aryansh Sharma (wk), Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Mayank Kumar, Sohaib Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah

What they said:

"I'd like to make sure that we get it right against the UAE in Delhi. They're a good side and so are we so we got to hopefully finish playing some good cricket and see what we come up with. Hopefully this group can surprise a few people and a few losses somewhere along the line and we get ourselves back in, and we've got to stay positive" - Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan head coach.

Afghanistan has been low on confidence after losing two consecutive losses. They began their campaign with a loss to New Zealand and followed with a double Super Over defeat at the hands of South Africa.

On the other hand, the UAE is coming off a win over Canada and currently holds the third position in the points table. If they clinch a win in this contest, they will strengthen their case to qualify for the Super Eight.

Delhi Pitch Report

The two matches played at the Wankhede Stadium so far have produced closely fought contests, with batting proving largely challenging. Similar conditions are expected in the upcoming fixture as well. Bowlers are likely to enjoy the surface, with ample opportunities to pick up wickets whenever batters are put under immense pressure.

Probable Best Performers

Probable Best Batter: Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Afghan Rahmanullah Gurbaz could be the best batter in the upcoming game against the UAE. In two games, the right-handed batter has already scored 111 runs and has been his team's most impressive batter. His performance once again will be crucial in the coming contest.

Probable Best Bowler: Junaid Siddique

A lot will depend on Junaid Siddique if the UAE team wants to register their second win of the season. His four overs have been very important, and the team will hope that he provides them with regular wickets. Siddique will look to take the responsibility well.

It has been 5 days since that match against South Africa. Afghanistan had the game in their pocket twice and found ways to throw it off. That has left their 2026 WC campaign on the edge. Even two wins from their last two games can't guarantee a place in the Super-8. They need at least one result going their way and that would be Canada beating New Zealand. Are we pushing it a bit too far? The 2024 semi-finalists have been patchy at best and their much-vaunted spinners haven't delivered the goods yet. Mujeeb and Rashid have only shone in patches, while Nabi and Noor have been below-par. Gulbadin Naib made runs in the first game, Rahmanullah Gurbaz single handedly fought in the match against South Africa, but Afghanistan haven't as yet delivered a complete performance. Can they do it today? UAE are coming into the game high on confidence after a good win over Canada at this very venue and they'll look to spring another surprise. Chasing has been the goto plans for captains in both the day games here at the Arun Jaitley stadium and todays shouldn't be any different. Toss and team sheets coming up shortly..

Rashid Khan: We are going to bowl first. Fresh wicket, early morning game so the wicket is going to be softer and it is going to be better to bat on in the afternoon. It is pretty hard but that's something that's gone and we learn from it. We played one of the best games of cricket. We have to make the nation proud again and play good cricket.

Afghanistan have won the toss and have opted to field