
Tue Jan 20 01:10:00 UTC 2026: ### Afghanistan Clinches Victory Against West Indies in First T20I
The Story:
Afghanistan defeated West Indies by 38 runs in the first T20I match held in the UAE on January 19, 2026, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Afghanistan’s all-round performance, led by impressive batting and spin bowling, demonstrated their potential to be a formidable team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.
Key Points:
- Afghanistan won the first T20I against West Indies by 38 runs.
- Ibrahim Zadran scored an unbeaten 87 runs, and Darwish Rasooli contributed 84 runs for Afghanistan.
- Afghanistan recovered from an early setback of losing two wickets quickly to post a total of 181/3.
- Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi took 3 wickets, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad each took 2 wickets for Afghanistan.
- West Indies’ batsmen struggled to build substantial partnerships, with several players reaching scores of 25 or more but failing to capitalize.
Key Takeaways:
- Afghanistan’s batting lineup shows depth, with key players capable of scoring big runs under pressure.
- Afghanistan’s spin bowling attack, led by Rashid Khan, poses a significant threat to opposing teams.
- West Indies’ top-order collapse highlights vulnerabilities in their batting lineup.
- Afghanistan demonstrated resilience and adaptability after a poor start to the innings.
- This win provides Afghanistan with momentum and confidence heading into the T20 World Cup 2026.