Afghanistan handed West Indies a 38-run defeat in the first T20I ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on January 19. On a spin-friendly pitch, Ibrahim Zadran (87* off 56) and Darwish Rasooli (84 off 59) rescued Afghanistan from an early collapse, forging a 162-run partnership that propelled the team to 181/3 in 20 overs.
West Indies struggled against Afghanistan’s disciplined spin attack, with Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad sharing six wickets to restrict the visitors to 143/9. Early wickets of Brandon King and Evin Lewis left the West Indies reeling at 50/5, and although Quenton Sampson (30 off 24) and Matthew Forde (25 off 21) tried to revive the innings, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi (3/36) and Noor Ahmad (2/34) ensured Afghanistan maintained control.
Darwish Rasooli’s spectacular 84-run knock earned him Player of the Match honors. The two sides will meet again for the second T20I on Wednesday, January 21, at the same venue.
