Afghanistan vs West Indies, AFG and WI in UAE, 3 T20Is, 2026 Jan 21 Full score card

OUT! GONE! Fazalhaq Farooqi picks the last wicket. Pace off, length ball, outside off, Simmonds swings across and manages a top edge to mid-wicket. Ibrahim Zadran settles under it and takes it. Afghanistan win by 39 runs and seal the series.

This is full and on leg, Motie makes room and punches it to long off for a single.

FOUR! HIT AWAY! A slower length delivery, outside off, Motie hangs back, picks the slower delivery and slaps it past point for a boundary.

A low full toss on middle, Ramon Simmonds punches it past Fazalhaq Farooqi and to mid off for one.

Very full, around off, driven to deep cover for a single.

Ramon Simmonds is the last man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Back-to-back for Omarzai! Pushed through, fuller and around off, Shamar Joseph tries to work across the angle but gets a thick edge to point. Rashid Khan runs behind and takes it over his shoulder. Brilliant catch.

Shamar Joseph walks in next.

OUT! TAKEN! Azmatullah Omarzai has the last laugh! Short of a good length, around off, gets just big on Pierre, who again goes for the hoick across, he top edges it to deep mid-wicket where Darwish Rasooli takes it.

FOUR! A good length delivery, attacking the stumps on the leg side, Pierre opens up his body and heaves it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

SIX! Picks it up well! A bumper pace on, around off, Pierre pulls it over mid-wicket for a six.

A slower bumper, into the surface, outside off, Pierre looks to pull it away but misses.

Short in length, outside off, Motie cuts it to deep cover for a single.

Wide! Too full and too wide, easily left alone.

Sliding onto the pads from around the wicket, on a length. Pierre goes back to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Touch short, wide of off, Motie cuts it uppishly and to deep point for a single.

Length and outside off, Pierre punches it to cover for a single.

Appeal for LBW, up goes the finger. Pierre takes it upstairs. Flights it very full and on leg, turning a bit onto the pads. Pierre leans to defend forward but misses and gets hit on the pads. Pierre takes it upstairs as he feels it is pitching down leg. UltraEdge shows a SPIKE off the inside edge.

Very full and outside off, driven to cover.

Khary Pierre comes in.

OUT! TAKEN! The magician gets a wicket now! Not too short, this is on middle, Forde goes back and tries to loft it away but plays off the higher part of the blade to long on where Mohammad Nabi takes a simple catch.

Floated on middle, Forde clips it to mid-wicket for a single. Mujeeb Ur Rahman ends his spell with four wickets.

FOUR! Well played! Touch short and outside off, Forde gets inside his crease and punches it square on the off side for a boundary.

Tossed up on middle, Motie flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Gudakesh Motie walks to the middle.

OUT! BOWLED! Mujeeb Ur Rahman strikes again! He is on a roll today! A half tracker, bowls into the surface and angles it on leg, stays really low. Sampson clears his front leg to punch it away but misses and it crashes the stumps.

Looped up, fuller and around off, Forde sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

King goes. West Indies are in deep trouble. Matthew Forde walks in.

OUT! TAKEN! HAT TRICK for Mujeeb Ur Rahman! He gets the big wicket of King! Slower shorter delivery, around leg, King comes down and gets cramped as he tries to loft it on the leg side. He mistimes and Darwish Rasooli runs in from the deep take the catch.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is back on. He is on a hat trick.

Gulbadin Naib bowls it slow, full and outside off, King looks to loft it away but slices his shot to deep cover where it lands safely. A single. Also, fifty up for King. He has shifted the gears effortlessly.

Short of a good length, outside off, King slaps it through point for a couple of runs.

Wide! Flirts with the tramline as Naib bowls it very full. King swings his blade and misses.

FOUR! A leg cutter, on a length, outside off, King cuts it late past point, no one in the deep for a boundary.

A wide yorker, King looks to dig it out but misses it.

SIX! FLAT SIX! A slower fuller delivery, outside off. King crashes his back knee and thumps it flat over mid-wicket for a six.

A slower fuller delivery, outside off, Sampson punches it to Khan at point for a quick single.

Oh, King has missed out. A juicy full toss, outside off, King bends his back and slashes but misses.

Short in length, outside off, Sampson drops it to cover for a single. He is off the mark.

A slower good length delivery, around off, Sampson is beaten for the lack of bounce and gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Out goes Hetmyer, in comes Quentin Sampson.

OUT! TAKEN! Picks the fielder! Fazalhaq Farooqi bangs it short and bowls it outside off, touch wide. Hetmyer makes room and flat bats it to deep point where Ibrahim Zadran takes a solid catch. End of a wonderful innings from Hetmyer.

Slower short ball, outside off, tapped to point for a single.

SIX! Even the pacers are going for runs now! West Indies have gone full throttle! On a good length, around off, nothing wrong with the delivery. King gets in line of the delivery and powers it over mid-wicket for a six.

Fazalhaq Farooqi is back on.

Flatter and outside off, Hetmyer nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

FOUR! First boundary after six sixes by Hetmyer! Too full and on middle, straighter line and Hetmyer muscles it down the ground for a boundary.

SIX! MUSCLES! Hetmyer moves to 40 in 14 balls. Overpitched, as Ahmad bowls the wrong 'un, around off, Hetmyer picks up and slogs it over long on and it goes the distance.

Too short and too wide, King, without any foot movement hits it to long off for a single.

Touch short, outside off, King slaps but straight to point.

This is full and around off, turning away. King rocks back and low to push it away but misses it.

SIX! Almost a freebie! A full toss onto the body, Hetmyer greets with open hands, he pumps this over mid-wicket for a six.

Very full and darted on the pads, Hetmyer looks to sweep but misses. He is livid with himself as the fielder was stationed inside the ring.

SIX! This time straight! Nabi floats itin the slot, fuller and around off, Hetmyer takes a step down and launches it down the ground for a six.

Spills it full and onto the pads, angled in. Hetmyer gets on his knee to sweep but misses and it rolls off the pads to short fine leg.

Flighted, very full and on leg, King drills it down to long on for a single.

Nabi serves it very full and around off, Hetmyer plays it down to long on for a single.

SIX! AND AGAIN! This is pure power! Touch fuller and on middle, spinning on the pads, King rocks back, picks off the pads and thumps it behind square leg for a six.

SIX! Finally, King gets one off the middle. Fractionally short, outside off, King bends his back knee and pulls it flat over mid-wicket for a six.

Pitched up, outside off, King drags his sweep-shot to mid-wicket.

Skiddy length delivery on leg, spinning in. King opes up his body to heave but misses it.

Just turning away, slightly short, outside off, King looks to cut it away but misses.

Tossed up, fuller and on leg, Hetmyer nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

DRINKS! 19 runs from the last over have helped West Indies release some sort of pressure but they need a couple of more big overs to get the required run rate down. Afghanistan have bowled well so far, they'll be looking for wickets regularly to seal the series.

Hetmyer keeps the strike as he drills this full ball to long on. 19 runs off the over.

SIX! MORE! Same place, same result! Pitched up, outside off, bit of width but was angled in. Hetmyer slogs it high over mid-wicket for a six.

Slids it full and on the pads, Hetmyer tickles it fine but Afghanistan place a fielder at short fine leg.

SIX! Same result! Noor Ahmad drops his length short and bowls it around off, Hetmyer clears his front leg and powers it over mid-wicket for a six.

SIX! BANG! Easy pickings for Hetmyer! In theslot, fuller and around off, Hetmyer gets on his knee and slog-sweeps it high over square leg for a six.

Flights it full and slanting around off, Hetmyer leans and taps it back.

More spin! Noor Ahmad to bowl now.

From around the wicket, across the umpire and angling on the pads, Hetmyer clips it to square leg for a single.

Touch short, outside off, King pulls it flat and hard to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Khan pushes it wide outside off, flat and spinning in. King goes back to cut but misses again. Fourth dot in a row.

Oh, just turning down! A googly, very full and on leg, King looks to slog-sweeps but misses and wears it on the pads.

Looped up on a length, around off, King half presses to defend it on the off side.

Shorter and outside off. King looks to cut it away but misses.

Shimron Hetmyer walks in with West Indies under pressure.

OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Beauty from Mujeeb Ur Rahman and he is off in his celebration! A wrong 'un, bowls it outside off on the fuller side, Johnson Charles plants his front foot out to defend across but the ball rolls through the gap and hits the stumps.

Johnson Charles comes to the middle.

OUT! LBW! Lewis plays all over it! He knows it and walks without even thinking about reviewing it. Slightly short and angling on middle, stays low off the deck. Lewis clears his front leg to work it across but misses and gets hit on the pads. Right in front. An appeal for LBW and up goes the finger. Excellent start by Afghanistan.

Pushed through, full and outside off, driven to long off for a single.

Slanting onto the pads, flicked to square leg for a single.

FOUR! Welcome boundary! Touch too full, around off, Lewis gets underneath and hammers it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Drops it full and around off, King taps it in front of point for a quick single. The fielder throws at the batter's end and the keeper removes the bails but Lewis was quick.

Flatter and around off, turning in. Lewis plants his front foot out to defend but manages an inside edge onto the pads.

Khan drops it short and bowls it on leg, turning in. Lewis opens up his body to hoick it but misses and gets hit on the box.

Flatter and around off, spinning away, Lewis punches to the right of Khan.

Shorter and around off, turning in, punched to cover for a single.

A googly, comes in a long way on leg, King steps across to paddle it but misses nd gets hit on the outside part of the gloves. An appeal for LBW but clearly going down.

Fires it full and in line of the stumps, nudged to square leg for a single.

Rashid Khan is into the attack.

This is full and on middle, eased to long on for a single. West Indies end the Powerplay at 29/1.

Overpitches and bowls it around off, Lewis hits it well but straight to cover.

A bumper, into the surface on middle, King comes down and pulls it to mid on for a single.

Length ball on middle and leg, Lewis nudges it to square leg for a single.

Closer to the off pole, on a good length, nipping away. Lewis looks to punch it away but misses.

Afghanistan are celebrating but the umpire shakes his head. A good length delivery, around off and seams away off the deck. Lewis has a poke at it but seems to miss it. He was cramped for room there.

Short of a length, slower and on leg, King pulls it to long on, a bit straight. The fielder dives to his left, gets a big hand on it and saves a couple. Azmatullah Omarzai it was.

A length ball, shaping on middle and leg, Lewis looks to tuck it away but misses and it rolls away for a quick single. Afghanistan appeal for LBW but maybe just going down. A leg bye.

FOUR! Not off the middle but Lewis will take it. Digs it short and bowls it on leg, Lewis pulls but it goes off the gloves to the left of short fine leg but the ball loops past him for four runs.

Follows King on the leg side with a slower length delivery, King turns it to mid on for a quick single.

Length ball, attacking the stumps, Lewis gets across and clips off his pads to square leg for a single.

A good length delivery, around off, King drops it to third man for a single.

Tossed up, fuller and around off, Lewis taps it back.

Length delivery, on leg, Lewis looks to bunt it away but might have brushed its pads. A quick stumping review but Lewis was inside his crease.

This is full and outside off, King drives it to mid off for a single.

Lovely delivery! Shorter and skidding on leg, drifts in. King is squared up as he tries to flick it away but misses.

Wide! Flat and sliding down the leg side, King looks to whip it away but misses. A muted appeal for LBW but turned down.

FOUR! Quality shot! Pitches it up, a bit wide of off. King leans and lofts it over cover for a boundary.

Touch fuller and around off, turning in. King punches it to cover.

Shorter and on the hips, King turns it to square leg for a single.

OUT! RUN OUT! Athanaze goes! This is full and on middle and leg, Athanaze clips it to mid-wicket and looks for a quick single which was always risky as it was hit straight to the fielder. Ibrahim Zadran picks up and hits the target at the bowler' end. The replay shows Athanaze is well short. Top effort from Ibrahim Zadran.

Athanaze tries to be innovative again, steps across to scoop but Omarzai bowls it very full and around off, Athanaze miscues it on the off side for no run.

Touch fuller, just outside off, and swinging away. Athanaze makes a bit of room and comes down to swing it hard but misses.

Azmatullah Omarzai digs it short and attacks the body. Athanaze hops and blocks it out.

FOUR! Excellent shot from Athanaze! A length ball, swinging around off, Athanaze shuffles across and scoops it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Touch short, drifting in, around off, King knocks it to point.

Floats it very full and around off, King leans and pushes it to cover.

Too full and on middle, drilled to long on for a single.

Tossed up, fuller and on middle, Athanaze looks to drive but gets a thick inside edge to mid-wicket.

Pushes it full and swinging a touch away, around off, Athanaze knocks it to cover.

Slightly short, outside off, Athanaze rocks back and cuts it to cover.

Who'll share the attack? It is Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Keeps it full, looking for some swing, this is around off, King pushes it to mid off.

Bowls a fuller length, around off and seams in late. King punches it to mid off.

Fazalhaq Farooqi again gets to swing in, pings it on the pads. Athanaze tucks it to square leg for a single.

Swings it full and onto the pads, Athanaze flicks it nicely to deep square leg and gets off the mark with a couple.

Fazalhaq Farooqi serves it on the fuller side, angling on the pads. Alick Athanaze helps it straight to short fine leg.

Pushes it full and outside off. King taps it late to third man for a single. West Indies are underway.

FOUR! A boundary to end the innings! Tad short, angled into the middle and leg. Nabi clears the front leg and thumps the pull toward wide of long on. One bounce and over the ropes. Afghanistan finish on 189/4.

Fuller and quicker, on the leg. Omarzai swipes it to short fine leg for one.

SIX MORE! UP AND OVER! Tossed up on a length, just outside off. Omarzai makes room and goes inside out over the wide of long off fence for back to back sixes.

SIX! CRUNCHED! Flatter arm ball, sliding past the leg pole. Omarzai backs away and smashes the pull over deep mid-wicket for a massive 87m hit.

LEG BYE! Darted on the leg pole. Nabi looks to slog it across the line but misses onto the pad. The ball rolls to short third for a leg bye.

Tossed up full, outside the leg pole. Omarzai makes room and knocks it down to long on for one.

The West Indies have suffered the over-rate penalty. They will need to bring an extra fielder inside the circle. Gudakesh Motie has a tough ask to bowl the final over.

Back of a length, outside off. Omarzai slaps this on the bounce to deep cover for one. After 19 overs, Afghanistan are 170/4.

Full pitcher on off. Nabi drills it down to long on for a single.

WIDE! Pace off on a length, just outside the tramline. Nabi moves across in the crease, has a waft at it, but fails to connect. Wided. Looks like a harsh call from the umpire.

DROPPED! Slower and shorter, around off. Omarzai drags it from putside and pulls it toward long on, where Pierre puts down another chance. Looks like he has hurt his thigh region and the box. Looks to be in some pain. The physio comes to check on him. Single taken. Pierre looks fine to carry on.

FOUR! Stand and deliver! Short and wide outside off. Omarzai frees his arms and slaps it toward the deep extra cover region for a much needed boundary.

Good effort by Sampson! Fuller than a length outside off. Omarzai slices the drive off the outer half toward the deep third region. Sampson covers good ground in the deep, puts the dive, and keeps it to a couple.

Slower ball on a length, outside off. Omarzai makes room, has a swing and miss.

WIDE! Fuller than a length and angling outside the tramline. Omarzai lets it go. Wide to start the over.

Slower ball on the full, at the stumps. Omarzai makes room and eases it toward short extra cover for a single.

Another low full toss, on the middle and leg. Nabi makes room and hacks it toward deep mid-wicket for a single.

A low full toss at the stumps. Omarzai bunts it toward short cover for a run.

Full pitcher on the leg. Nabi flicks it through the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! On a hard length, on off. Rasooli makes room and looks to clear the infield, but ends up slicing off the toe end, goes straight to Athanaze at mid off, who makes no mistake. A brilliant knock from Rasooli ends on 68 off 39 balls. Afghanistan are four down.

The next batter walking out is Mohammad Nabi.

WIDE! Slower and shorter, angling across the batter. Rasooli lets it go. Wide signaled.

Yorker, just outside off. Omarzai steers it toward deep third for one.

Slower ball on a length, just outside off. Rasooli swings and misses. End of a fine spell from Forde. Afghanistan are 153/3 after 17 overs.

Back of a length, outside off. Omarzai slaps it through extra cover for one.

Azmatullah Omarzai comes to the crease next.

ATAL HOLES OUT! Matthew Forde breaks the partnership! Short of a length delivery, on off. Atal takes on the pull but miscues it toward the long leg region, where Sampson takes a safe catch. A fine knock from Atal comes to an end. Afghanistan are three down.

Slower full ball outside off. Rasooli drills it down to long off for one.

FOUR! Nicely done! Yorker length ball outside off. Rasooli plays it late and squeezes it through the gap at short third for a clever boundary.

Back of a length, around off. Atal miscues the pull over the bowler's head for one.

Matthew Forde (3-0-18-1) is back into the attack.

Pace off on a length, outside off. Atal shuffles across and pulls it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for one.

Slower and shorter, angled into the middle. Rasooli gets on top of the bounce and pulls it toward deep backward square leg for one.

Fuller than a length, just outside off. Atal lifts it off the toe end toward silly mid off for one.

Short of a length, angling into the middle. Rasooli swats it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for one.

Slower and shorter, around off. Rasooli looks to pull but misses.

Fifty for Sediqullah Atal! Slower ball on the full, around off. Atal lifts it toward the man at deep cover for one.

Looped up full, at the stumps. Rasooli lifts it over the bowler and down to straightish long on for a quick couple. After 15 overs, Afghanistan are 141/2.

BYE! Flatter arm ball, sliding across the batter. Atal looks to drive but misses. A fumble from the keeper sees the ball rolling toward short third and they take a bye.

Flatter, turning into the middle. Atal nudges it to short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Smart batting! Fuller and quicker, sliding down the leg. Atal shimmies down the pitch but does well to sit on his knee and helps it toward long leg for four runs.

Looped up full, around off. Rasooli lifts it on the bounce to long off for one.

SIX! STAND AND DELIVER! Tossed up full, in the slot. Rasooli goes through with the shot and pumps it over the cow corner fence for a maximum.

Yorker, just outside off. Atal gets his bat down in time and squeezes it to short third.

Skiddy length ball, outside off. Atal hangs out his bat, plays, and misses.

SIX MORE! PUNISHED! Slower and shorter, just outside off. Atal gets hold of it, picks the change of pace and clubs this over deep mid-wicket for consecutive sixes.

SIX! UP AND AWAY! A low full toss on the middle and leg. Atal picks the bones out of it and whips it over the deep backward square leg boundary for a massive 81m hit.

Nicely bowled! Pitched full, just inside the tramline. Atal lets it go.

Fuller than a length, angling into off. Rasooli clears the front leg and lifts it toward deep point for one.

Tad short, turning into the middle and leg. Atal shimmies down and nudges this through the gap at mid-wicket for a couple.

Flatter length ball on off. Rasooli lifts it on the bounce to long on for one.

Fuller and quicker on the leg. Atal swipes it to short fine leg for one.

Back-to-back fifties for Rasooli! Flatter, around off. Rasooli punches it down to long off for one.

SIX! WHACKED! Tossed up on a length, on the middle and leg. Rasooli sits on his knee and slog sweeps it over the deep square leg boundary for a biggie.

Tad short, outside off. Rasooli stands tall and slaps this toward deep extra cover for a couple.

Flighted full, on off. Atal sits low to slog this across the line but misses and wears on the pad.

Tossed up full, on the leg. Rasooli looks to work it across the line but gets the inside edge that rolls toward point for one.

Fuller and quicker arm ball, around off. Atal reaches for it and drills this to long off for one. 100 comes up for the host nation.

Fuller and quicker on the middle and leg. Rasooli eases it down to long on for one.

SIX! BOOM! Tossed up full, on the middle and leg. Rasooli picks it early and sends it sailing over the long on fence for a massive hit.

On a length, skids through, around off. Atal carves it through the gap at backward point for a single.

Floated full, at the stumps. Atal pushes this down to long on for a single.

Flatter arm ball, just outside off. Atal looks to cut, but gets the outside edge that rolls to the man at short third.

Flatter and quicker, outside off. Slapped away to deep cover for one.

Tad short, on middle. Rasooli stays back and flat-bats it over the bowler, toward straightish long on for a brace.

Tossed up full on off. Atal eases it down to long off for one.

Flatter arm ball, skids through, just outside off. Rasooli makes room to cut but gets the inside edge onto the pitch, rolling toward short fine leg for one.

DRINKS! At the halfway stage, Afghanistan are 85/2. After losing both openers inside the Powerplay, Darwish Rasooli and Sediqullah Atal have steadied the innings, putting on an unbeaten 48-run stand for the third wicket. With a push toward the 200-run mark in mind, the pair will look to accelerate from here. West Indies, meanwhile, will be hoping for a couple of tight overs and a breakthrough or two in the next phase.

Flighted full, around off. Atal comes forward and drives it into the gap at deep extra cover for two more.

Fuller and quicker on the leg. Atal works it through the gap at backward square leg for a couple.

SIX! BANG! Atal breaks the shackles! Very full, on the middle and leg. Atal sits low and smashes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a much-needed hit.

Flatter and a hint of spin outside off. Rasooli goes back and slaps it hard toward extra cover where King makes half a stop and keeps it to one.

Fuller and quicker on off. Atal presses forward and eases it down to long off for one.

Tossed up full, on the leg. Rasooli works it toward deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up full, at the stumps. Rasooli drills it down to long on for a single.

IN THE AIR BUT LANDS SAFELY! Dropped short, on middle. Atal miscues the pull, comes off the top edge toward the vacant mid-wicket region for a single.

Flatter arm ball, just outside off. Rasooli punches it down to long off for one.

A low full toss on the leg. Atal flicks it through the backward square leg region for a single.

Arm ball, on a length, on middle. Rasooli works it through mid-wicket for one.

Tad short, outside off. Darwish Rasooli cuts and picks out the short cover fielder.

Slower ball on the full, on off. Rasooli drills it down to long on for one.

A low full toss angling into the leg stump line. Atal clips this to deep backward square leg for one.

Slower bumper, around the left shoulder. Rasooli swivel-pulls it past short fine leg for one.

IN THE AIR AND PUT DOWN! Short of a length delivery, angled into the middle and leg stump line. Atal gets cramped and miscues the pull toward the long leg region. Khary Pierre comes in from the ropes, dives forward and puts down a tough chance.

Short of a good length, angling across the batter. Rasooli steers it down to deep third for a single.

Full pitcher, angling across the batter. Rasooli looks to drive, but gets the outside edge that rolls down to the deep third region. He calls for the second run as the throw comes at the keeper's end who is quick to take off the bails and appeals for the run-out. The replays show that Rasooli is well in. Two taken.

Flatter, a hint of spin, around off. Rasooli punches this down to long off for one.

LEG BYE! Quicker length ball down the leg. Atal helps it off the pad to fine leg for a leg bye.

Flatter, around off. Rasooli makes room and slaps it to long off for one.

Flatter and spins back into the middle stump line. Atal hangs back and works this through backward square leg for one.

Tossed up full, on leg. Rasooli flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter delivery, just outside off. Atal hangs back and punches it down to long on for one.

Time for some spin. Khary Pierre comes into the attack.

Banged in short, just outside off. Rasooli gets on top of the bounce but mistimes the pull toward mid-wicket.

FOUR! Three in a row! Rasooli is on fire! Short of a good length, outside off. Rasooli carves it through the gap at cover for a hat-trick of boundaries in the over.

FOUR MORE! Dispatched! Short of a good length, outside off. Darwish Rasooli stands tall and slaps it hard through the cover point region for back-to-back boundaries.

FOUR! Lucky for Rasooli! Short of a length, wide outside off. Rasooli swings hard, gets the outside edge that flies over short third fielder for four runs.

Back of a length, around the hip. Atal tucks it through backward square leg for one.

Skiddy length ball, just outside off. Atal has a poke at it but gets beaten. Good start by Ramon Simmonds.

FOUR! Not out of the middle, but Rasooli will not mind it! Banged in short, around the left shoulder. Rasooli takes on the hook but gets a top edge that flies over short fine leg for a streaky boundary. After five overs, Afghanistan are 41/2.

Darwish Rasooli comes in at number 4.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! The slower ball does the trick for Matthew Forde. Pace off on a length, angling into the off and middle stump line. Zadran gets deceived by the change of pace and is through the pull early. He misses completely and the ball goes crashing into the stumps. Afghanistan are two down now.

Three dots in a row! Short of a good length, angling down the leg. Zadran clips it off the pad, and it rolls toward the keeper, where Charles does well to move to his left and make the stop.

Pace off on a length, just outside off. Zadran shimmies down and mistimes the cut to the man at short extra cover.

Short of a good length, on the leg pole. Zadran clips it toward the man at short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Up and Over! Back of a length, angled into the middle. Zadran shimmies down and lifts it over the bowler's head for a lovely boundary.

FOUR! Thrashed! Back of a length, outside off. Atal frees the arms and slaps it through the gap at extra cover for a cracking boundary.

Back of a length on off. Atal plays it late and steers it toward the deep third region for a quick couple.

Short of a length, on off. Atal gets on top of the bounce and defends into the off-side.

Back of a length on off. Zadran rides the bounce and looks to defend but gets the inside edge that rolls into the off-side of the pitch and they take one.

FOUR! Two in two! Back of a length, angled into the middle and leg. Zadran crunches the pull toward the deep square leg region and finds the ropes on the bounce. Excellent batting.

FOUR! Top shot! Good length delivery, angled into the middle. Zadran gets into a good position, picks it early, and flicks it toward the deep mid-wicket region. A couple of bounces and into the boundary.

Fuller than a good length, just outside off. Zadran comes down the pitch and strokes it through the gap at wide of mid-off for three runs. Hetmyer chases the ball and stops just inside the ropes.

Lands it on a length, on off. Atal dabs it toward the right of backward point fielder for a single.

Pace off on a length, just outside off. Atal comes forward and knocks it toward the man at short cover.

Short of a good length, just outside off. Atal rides the bounce and punches it toward short extra cover.

Good length delivery, angled into the middle. Zadran looks to defend from the crease, gets the inside edge that rolls down to fine leg for one.

IN THE AIR AND PUT DOWN! On a length, nips back into the middle. Zadran clips it uppishly toward short mid-wicket, where Lewis puts down a simple chance. He really made a mess of it.

Short of a good length, hint of inswing, around off. Atal lets it go.

Fuller than a good length on off. Zadran knocks it past the bowler, toward mid-on for a single.

Back of a length on middle. Zadran is behind the line in defence.

WIDE! Fuller than a length, moves down the leg. Zadran plays and misses. Another wide.

WIDE! On a length, angling down the leg. Zadran looks to flick but misses. Wided.

Fuller than a length on off. Atal pushes it toward mid-off for one.

Sediqullah Atal comes in at number 3.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Fuller than a good length, around off. Gurbaz looks to play away from the body and slashes hard, but gets the outside edge that flies away toward the deep backward point, where Khary Pierre takes a safe catch.

Full pitcher, swinging away, around off. Gurbaz looks to drive but gets beaten.

Shamar Joseph will share the attack

Good length delivery, nips back in just outside off. Zadran looks to drive but gets beaten on the inside edge.

FOUR LEG BYES! Back of a length and around off. Zadran tries to punch off his back foot but gets beaten on the inside edge. The ball gets deflected off his back thigh pad and beats the diving keeper to his right for a boundary.

Length ball on off. Blocked from the crease.

FOUR! Glorious! Fuller than a length, outside off. Zadran leans forward and drives it through the gap at the backward point for a lovely boundary.

Afghanistan are away! On a length, on the middle and leg. Gurbaz tucks it toward the man at square leg for one.

Forde starts with fuller than a good length, nips back into the middle stump line. Gurbaz gets forward and defends it back to the bowler.

All set now for the action to commence. The teams and the umpires are in the middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are the two openers for Afghanistan. It will be Matthew Forde to start with the ball for the West Indies. Let's play...

Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan skipper, says they were keen to bat first and are pleased with the decision. He adds that the aim is to play their best cricket and set the tone early. He admits they’ve struggled to build partnerships in recent games, so today the focus is on making the most of the Powerplay and laying a solid platform. He stresses that early momentum will be crucial and confirms that Fazalhaq Farooqi replaces Ziaur Rahman as the only change to the side.

Brandon King, the West Indies skipper, wins the toss and elects to bowl, believing the batting conditions will improve later in the game. He admits the previous match was disappointing and largely self-inflicted. With the series on the line, he says the message to the group is simple, as improvement is needed in all areas. King highlights fielding as a major concern from the last game, particularly the dropped catches, and notes that it has been a strong focus in their preparations. He adds that taking their chances will give them a much better opportunity to stay competitive. He mentions that the surface looks very similar to what they have encountered before, so the game plan remains unchanged, and concludes by confirming that there are two changes to the team.

West Indies (Playing XI) - Alick Athanaze (in for Amir Jangoo), Brandon King (C), Johnson Charles (WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Quentin Sampson, Matthew Forde, Khary Pierre, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Ramon Simmonds (in for Jayden Seales).

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Noor Ahmad, Rashid Khan (C), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi (in for Ziaur Rahman).

TOSS - West Indies have won the toss and opted to BOWL first.

With the series still alive, the West Indies will be determined to draw level and force a decider, while Afghanistan will be keen to maintain their dominance and wrap up the contest with a game to spare. So, can the Windies mount a comeback, or will Afghanistan cruise to a series victory? Toss and team news coming up shortly. Stay tuned.

The West Indies showed early promise with the ball, striking twice in the powerplay, but were unable to sustain the pressure as the innings wore on. Runs began to flow freely, and a series of fielding lapses, including misfields and dropped catches, allowed Afghanistan to build momentum. Gudakesh Motie and Jayden Seales were the standout performers with the ball, but the chase never truly got going, with the Men in Maroon slipping to 50 for 5. Some late resistance from Quinton Sampson, Matthew Forde, and Motie reduced the margin of defeat, as they eventually closed on 143 for 9.

Afghanistan laid down a commanding marker in the first T20I, posting an imposing 181 for 3 after opting to bat. Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli starred with match-winning knocks in the 80s, setting up a formidable total. Their bowlers then took centre stage, delivering a clinical performance to dismantle the West Indies’ chase. Mujeeb ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad claimed two wickets each, while Ziaur Rahman’s three-wicket haul ensured Afghanistan remained firmly in control throughout. Afghanistan will be looking to replicate that all-round display and clinch the series tonight. 

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the second T20I of the three-match series between Afghanistan and the West Indies, coming to you from the Dubai International Stadium. After a 38-run defeat in the opening encounter, the West Indies will be desperate to bounce back, while Afghanistan have a golden opportunity to seal an unassailable 2–0 series lead.

…MATCHDAY…

It is a quick turnaround in the UAE as Afghanistan and West Indies lock horns again for the 2nd T20I at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With the Afghans holding a commanding 1–0 lead after a comprehensive 38-run victory on Monday, the Men in Maroon have it all to do to keep this three-match series alive. Afghanistan will be walking on air after their batting masterclass in the opener. Despite a shaky start that saw opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz depart for a golden duck, Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli stitched together a record-breaking 162-run stand to completely shift the momentum. Their bowling attack looks lethal; with Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad operating in tandem, they have a web of spin ready to trap the opposition. However, they will be hoping for a more solid start from the top order to truly cement their dominance. On the other side of the ring, the West Indies are fielding a secondary side with heavyweights like Shai Hope and Akeal Hosein missing due to SA20 duties. The visitors struggled to pick the variations in the first game, crumbling to 143/9 despite brave cameos from Johnson Charles and Quentin Sampson. Gudakesh Motie was the silver lining with the ball, conceding just 18 runs in his spell, but the Windies need their batters to fire and their bowlers to hunt in pairs if they want to level the series tonight. Expect a fascinating contest under the Dubai lights. For Afghanistan, it is about sealing the series and testing their middle-order depth. For the two-time world champions, this is a massive opportunity to experiment with new talent and find some rhythm despite the absence of their senior pros. Can the West Indies bounce back with some Caribbean flair, or will the Afghan spinners run riot once again? It is all to play for in Dubai!