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AFG vs UAE: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Prediction, Squads, Live Score & Stats
- Fixture: Afghanistan vs United Arab Emirates
- Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Group D
- Match: 28th Match, Group D
- Date & Time: 16 February 2026, 11:00 AM IST
- Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, India
Match Preview
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group D stage is underway as Afghanistan take on the United Arab Emirates in Delhi, which could significantly shape their group standings and qualification hopes.
Afghanistan will enter this match under serious pressure after consecutive defeats early in the tournament. They are yet to register a win and their qualification hopes are intact. A strong performance here is very much needed to stay alive in the race for the Super Eight stage.
UAE arrived with good momentum after registering a five-wicket victory over Canada which broke their losing streak. They also need a win to keep their qualification hopes alive. This makes this a truly high-stakes Group D match where both teams are in dire need of points.
This match is also the first T20 World Cup match between these two teams, which adds a new intrigue to the already thrilling contest in Delhi.
AFG vs UAE – Head to Head (T20Is)
| Format | Matches | AFG Won | UAE Won | Tied | NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 14 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Note: Before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates have played 14 T20 International matches. Afghanistan has won 11 of them, while the UAE has won 3. In their most recent T20I match, Afghanistan defeated the UAE by four runs in September 2025.
AFG vs UAE – Squad List
| No. | Afghanistan Player | Role | United Arab Emirates Player | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Wicketkeeper batter | Aryansh Sharma | Wicketkeeper batter |
| 2 | Ibrahim Zadran | Opening batter | Muhammad Waseem (c) | Opening batter |
| 3 | Gulbadin Naib | Batting allrounder | Alishan Sharafu | Opening batter |
| 4 | Sediqullah Atal | Opening batter | Sohaib Khan | Middle-order batter |
| 5 | Darwish Rasooli | Top-order batter | Syed Haider | Wicketkeeper batter |
| 6 | Azmatullah Omarzai | Allrounder | Harshit Kaushik | Allrounder |
| 7 | Mohammad Nabi | Allrounder | Muhammad Arfan | Bowler |
| 8 | Rashid Khan (c) | Bowling allrounder | Haider Ali | Bowler |
| 9 | Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Bowler | Simranjeet Singh | Bowler |
| 10 | Noor Ahmad | Bowler | Junaid Siddique | Bowler |
| 11 | Ziaur Rahman | Bowler | Muhammad Jawadullah | Bowler |
| 12 | Abdollah Ahmadzai | Bowler | Mayank Kumar | Opening batter |
| 13 | Fazalhaq Farooqi | Bowler | Muhammad Farooq | Allrounder |
| 14 | Mohammad Ishaq | Wicketkeeper batter | Muhammad Rohid | Bowler |
| 15 | Shahidullah | Batting allrounder | Dhruv Parashar | Allrounder |
Pitch Report – Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Pitch Nature | Batting-friendly surface with assistance for spinners later |
| Batting Support | Good for stroke play once set |
| New Ball Behaviour | Seamers can extract early bounce and movement |
| Spin Factor | Spinners effective in middle overs |
| Match Pattern | Typically high-scoring in T20s |
| Average T20 Score Range | 170–190+ |
| Toss Strategy | Batting first can build scoreboard pressure |
| Safe / Defending Score | 180+ competitive |
Team Analysis
Afghanistan
Afghanistan have an explosive top order with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran both capable of giving quick starts in the powerplay overs. Led by Rashid Khan and supported by Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmed, their world-class spin attack is their biggest weapon against any opposition team. Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib provide valuable all-round depth in the lineup.
Despite having quality players in this World Cup campaign, their concern is the lack of wins. They need to convert strong starts into match-winning totals and stop losing momentum in the middle overs.
Key players to watch include Rahmanullah Gurbaz, an aggressive opener and powerplay specialist who sets the tone for Afghanistan. Rashid Khan is the captain and a strike bowler with real game-changing potential. Ibrahim Zadran provides reliable top-order run scoring. Fazalhaq Farooqui can swing the ball early and take important wickets.
United Arab Emirates
UAE have come into the field with confidence from their recent win over Canada, proving that they can perform well under pressure. Muhammad Wasim and Alishan Sharafoo provide their team with batting firepower. Junaid Siddique is capable of turning the ball at crucial moments.
Their concern is their limited experience against strong full-strength teams like Afghanistan. Their batting depth could be seriously tested against the quality spin bowling of Rashid and Mujeeb.
Key players include Muhammad Wasim who is the captain and the main batting pillar of UAE on whom UAE relies a lot. Alishan Sharafoo stabilizes the middle order and can provide pace when needed. Sohaib Khan contributes with both bat and ball. Junaid Siddique is the main wicket-taker in the powerplay and middle overs.
Toss Prediction
Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium traditionally offers a batting-friendly surface that favours stroke-makers. The captain who wins the toss can choose to bat first and put scoreboard pressure on the opposition team. Setting a target in Delhi usually works better than chasing under pressure in a match that has the potential to be won.
Cricbites Match Prediction
| Team | Winning Chance (%) | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 60% | Strong spin attack and superior T20I record |
| United Arab Emirates | 40% | Momentum and fearless batting approach |
Cricbites Prediction: Afghanistan will win, thanks to their spin strength and deep batting lineup. However, UAE’s confidence and hunger could make this match very exciting.
Final Thoughts
The match between Afghanistan and UAE will be a very competitive one between two teams who are in dire need of points. Afghanistan will look to revive their campaign with a performance worthy of their talent and reputation. UAE will look to build momentum and go for a significant upset in Group D.
Expect aggressive batting from Gurbaz in the powerplay. Expect strategic spin battles in the middle overs where Rashid Khan will be crucial. Expect a result that will significantly impact the Group D standings and the Super Eight qualification paths for both the countries.
Recommended to Read: IND vs PAK: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Prediction, Squads, Live Score & Stats
Disclaimer
This preview and prediction is based on team information, current form, recent performances and pitch expectations. Cricket remains unpredictable. Match results can vary depending on conditions, toss decisions and individual talent on the day.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who is the captain of Afghanistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?
Rashid Khan is the captain of Afghanistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Q2. Who is the captain of United Arab Emirates in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?
Muhammad Wasim is the captain of United Arab Emirates in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Q3. When and at what time will AFG vs UAE be played?
Afghanistan will face United Arab Emirates on 16 February 2026. This match is scheduled to start at 11:00 AM IST.
Q4. Where is the match being played?
The AFG vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026 match will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, India.
Q5. What is the match number of AFG vs UAE in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?
This match is the 28th match in the group stage of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
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