Afghanistan won a convincing 38-round victory over West India in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday, January 19. İbrahim Zadran and the team shot demonstration led by him. Dervish Messengerthen a disciplined bowling effort gave Afghanistan a 1-0 lead in the T20I series.
Ibrahim Zadran and Darvish Rasuli saved Afghanistan from the first blows
Opposed to bat first after winning, Afghanistan suffered an immediate setback when wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz was run out for a first-ball duck. An early dismissal briefly put the pressure on the hosts, but Ibrahim Zadran held firm in one end, ensuring Afghanistan did not lose momentum.
After losing Sediqullah Atal, Zadran found solid support in Darwish Rasooli and the pair put together a massive 162-run partnership for the third wicket that completely changed the game in Afghanistan. Zadran played a mature and controlled innings, finishing unbeaten on 87 off 56 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes. Rasooli rounded it off perfectly with a fluent 84 off 59 deliveries laced with eight fours and two maximums.
Their partnership not only stabilized the innings but also accelerated the scoring during the middle and death overs and took Afghanistan to 181 for 3 in 20 overs.
West Indies struggled to apply sustained pressure once the Zadran-Rasooli partnership was formed. Although Jayden Seales and Matthew Forde picked up a wicket each, a lack of control in the rest of the attack allowed Afghanistan to maintain a healthy run rate.
Spinner Gudakesh Motie was the most economical, conceding just 18 runs in four overs, but the damage had already been done by the time he came into the attack.
Afghanistan spinners wreck West Indies chase
Chasing 182, West Indies never really settled down as Afghanistan’s bowlers struck early and consistently. Mujeeb Ur Rahman set the tone for the innings by getting both Brandon King and Johnson Charles out of the power play.
The middle overs belonged to Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan, who picked up two crucial wickets conceding just 19 runs. His tight spell stifled the flow of runs and forced the West Indies batsmen into risky innings.
Supported by three goalkeepers, Ziaur Rahman got Sharif and Nur Ahmed scored two more goals. West Indies collapsed to 143 for 9.
Afghanistan outclassed West Indies in the T20I series opener#cricket #AFGvWI #1stT20I pic.twitter.com/x3ICwe6cM3
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 19, 2026
Apart from Quentin Sampson’s brief resistance and a late flourish by Motie, the West Indies batting lacked cohesion. Early wickets exposed the middle order and despite a brief partnership between Matthew Forde and Moti, the required rate continued to rise.
Afghanistan’s bowlers maintained discipline, exploited the surface and applied relentless pressure, ensuring West Indies never posed a serious challenge.
Also READ: Afghanistan vs West Indies 2026, T20I Series – Date, Match Time, Broadcast & Live Stream Details
Darvish Rasuli was chosen as the Player of the Match for his great hitting and superior possessions.
Star of the night ⭐🏅
Darwish Rasooli wins the Player of the Match award with three brilliant catches and a classy 84 (59), 8 fours and 2 sixes. 👏🔥#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvWI | #Famous NationVictory Team pic.twitter.com/X1xvFrd0O1
– Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) January 19, 2026
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