ICC Men's Т20 World Cup 2026, Match 28: Afghanistan vs UАЕ
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ICC Men's Т20 World Cup 2026, Match 28: Afghanistan vs UАЕ
In a battle for survival in Group D, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) face off in Match 28 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
Taking place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, this fixture is a "must-win" for both sides. Afghanistan is reeling from a heart-wrenching double Super Over loss to South Africa, while the UAE is desperate to recover from a heavy defeat against New Zealand. With Super Eight spots on the line, catch every ball of this high-stakes encounter live on Willow by Cricbuzz.
Head-to-Head: The Subcontinental Tussle Afghanistan has historically dominated this rivalry, winning 11 of their 14 T20I encounters. However, the UAE has proven they can cause an upset, famously winning a close series match in late 2023.
Sept 5, 2025: Afghanistan won by 4 runs (A last-over thriller).
Sept 1, 2025: Afghanistan won by 38 runs.
Jan 2, 2024: Afghanistan won by 4 wickets.
Dec 31, 2023: UAE won by 11 runs (Waseem Muhammad 53).
Team Form & Recent Results Afghanistan (L-L-W-W-L) The "AfghanAtalan" are playing excellent cricket but have struggled to cross the finish line. After pushing South Africa to a historic double Super Over on February 11, they currently sit with zero points and are under immense pressure to win their remaining fixtures.
Match 13: Tied with South Africa (Lost in 2nd Super Over).
Match 4: Lost to New Zealand by 5 wickets.
Series: Defeated West Indies 2-1 in a January 2026 subcontinental series.
UAE (L-L-L-W-W) The UAE senior side is searching for a spark. Their tournament opener against New Zealand was a tough reality check, but they arrive in Delhi knowing the spin-friendly conditions could help them bridge the gap against their higher-ranked neighbors.
Last Match: Lost to New Zealand by 10 wickets (Feb 10, 2026).
Upcoming: Facing Canada (Feb 13) before this clash with Afghanistan.
Recent: Swept the GCC T20I Championship in late 2025.
Players in Focus Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): The captain and world-leading leg-spinner. Coming off a 2-wicket haul against South Africa, his four overs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium will be the most difficult challenge for the UAE top order.
Muhammad Waseem (UAE): The explosive captain. One of the few Associate batters with multiple T20I centuries, his ability to target the Afghan pacers in the powerplay is UAE's best hope for a competitive total.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan): The powerhouse opener. Fresh from a blistering 84 off 42 against South Africa, he is currently one of the most dangerous batters in the tournament.
Aayan Afzal Khan (UAE): The teenage spin sensation. His accuracy and local knowledge (having played extensively in Asian conditions) will be vital in trying to stifle Afghanistan's middle-order hitters.