Afghanistan vs West Indies, ICC MT20 World Cup Warm-up Matches, 2026 Feb 4 Full score card

Ziaur Rahman finishes things off with a perfect yorker and Afghanistan trump West Indies. Very full and tailing back into the toes. Matthew Forde looks to dig it out but ends up getting nutmegged. West Indies finish with 159/7 and Afghanistan win the game by 23 runs.

FOUR! Sensational hitting and Matthew Forde brings up his FIFTY. Full and outside off, in the slot again. Forde hangs deep and drills it through extra cover for another boundary.

FOUR! Poor delivery and Forde is just two runs away from a half-century. Full toss on leg stump, Forde picks it up and flicks it high and to the right of deep backward square leg for a boundary.

A straight yorker, Holder can only jam it down to long on for a single.

WIDE. A slower bumper, flirting with the tramline outside off. Holder leaves it alone for a wide.

FOUR! Up and over. Length ball around off, Jason Holder holds his shape and slaps it over covers for a boundary. West Indies showing what they are capable of but unfortunately for them, it won't be enough.

A full ball outside off, Forde shuffles right across to lap but ends up cue-ending it behind square leg for a single

Full and wide outside off, dug out through covers for a single. 19 off the over.

SIX! That's raw muscle from Forde. Back of a length and around off, Forde presses back in the crease and lifts it over wide long off for another biggie.

SIX! Oh, that's been belted away. Overpitched on middle, angling in. Matthew Forde hangs deep, gets low and clobbers it over long on for a huge six.

WIDE. That's flown through. A heavy short ball from Omarzai, dug in over middle and the ball sails just over Forde's head.

Short of a length and wide outside off, Holder reaches out andsmacks it to deep cover for a single.

Another full ball, wide outside off, and Holder fails to jam it out.

FOUR! Jason Holder is looking to finish with a flourish here. Pitched up, full and on leg stump, Holder clears the front leg and heaves it wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Very full and around off, jammed down to long off for a single.

FOUR! Holder finally gets one away. Full and straight, in the slot this time. Holder hangs back and swings through the line, hammering it back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

That's well bowled. A straight yorker, nailed around middle and leg. Forde jams it out to mid on for a single.

Shorter in length, slower too. Holder pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full and outside off, Forde leans back and laces the drive but hits it straight to sweeper cover for one more.

Pitched up, fuller and around off. Holder goes deep in the crease and drives it down to long on for a run.

Another swing and a miss from Forde. Dug in a bit shorter and outside off, Forde looks to fetch and pull but misses.

Extra bounce! Back of a length and outside off, Forde throws his hands at it but is comprehensively beaten.

FOUR! Barely a catching opportunity for the keeper and Matthew Forde picks up a boundary. Hard length outside off, Forde shuffles across and gets inside the lie, lapping it off the cue end of the blade. Rahmanullah Gurbaz springs to his left but the ball kisses the left glove and races through to the fine leg fence.

Full again and outside off, Forde hangs back and slashes it up and over cover-point for a couple of runs.

WIDE. Slower length ball, spilled down the leg side for a wide.

Too hot to handle! Dug in short and outside off, hurries through as well. Forde leans back to pull but is well beaten.

Very full, o off stump, Holder stays deep in the crease and swats it down to long on for a single.

Short of a good length and over off, Holder hangs back and hoicks it away to the right of deep mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Full and wide outside off, slower too, Holder reaches out but only gets an inside edge that rolls down to the keeper.

Another full-length delivery around off, Forde drills it to the left of long on but it will just be a single.

Full and straight, right in the blockhole, Holder toe-ends the drive down to long on and picks up a single.

That's a peach from Farooqi. A vicious bumper now, over middle, comes in around helmet height. Jason Holder looks to take it on but is well beaten.

A skiddy short ball on leg, Forde misses the flick and the ball goes off the hips down to short fine leg for a leg bye.

Slides it full and on middle and leg, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a single. 19 runs off the over.

Looped up, on a length and around off, MF taps it to point.

FOUR! 100 up for West Indies and Matthew Forde has ignited a fightback through this over. Too short and too wide, Forde carves it to point where the fielder lets it through his hands and it rolls to the fence.

Changes the angle and bowls it short, wide of off. Matthew Forde slaps it wide of sweeper cover for a brace.

SIX! Same result! Carbon copy of the previous ball! Tossed up, fuller and around off, angled across the batter. Matthew Forde gets underneath the ball and launches it over long on for a biggie.

SIX! Plays it effortlessly! Slightly full, a slider, around off, Matthew Forde gets on his knee and lofts it over long on for a six.

A half tracker on middle and leg. Matthew Forde pulls it off his knee to deep square leg for a single.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz has a quick check on Matthew Forde as the ball has hit him on the helmet. That probably went straight into the grill and the physio will come out to perform a mandatory concussion check. Thankfully, all seems fine.

What happened there? Nabi bowls it touch fuller and on middle, pings off the surface. Matthew Forde gets on his knee to sweep but the ball hits him on the helmet and rolls away to fine leg. Forde goes through a quick concussion test and passes it.

Straighter delivery, full and on off, driven to long off for a single.

Touch too full and on leg, Matthew Forde leans forward and nudges it to mid-wicket for one more.

Floats a slower delivery on the pads. Matthew Forde turns it to mid-wicket.

Drinks break! West Indies lose their 7th wicket and the umpires call for the final hydration break of the game. Rovman Powell, who was the lone fighter out there, has now walked back and Afghanistan will look to wrap things up rather quickly. With that said, Matthew Forde walks out to bat at number 9.

OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Mohammad Nabi gets a wicket now. Flatter trajectory from around the wicket, bowls in line of the stumps and gets it to straighten up. Powell clears his front leg to push it away but misses and it goes through the gate and hits the stumps. Quality bowling from Nabi. Rovman Powell goes for a well made 32 (27).

Something has got to give here for West Indies.

Wide! Starts with a slider, down leg, Powell fails to flick it away.

Hard length delivery, pings into the surface. Jason Holder swings it across but mistimes his shot wide of deep mid-wicket. The fielder runs to his right and gets a hand on it. Two runs.

Azmatullah Omarzai keeps it short again, outside off, Powell gets on top of the bounce and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. A single.

Shorter delivery, onto the body, Jason Holder pulls it in front of square leg for a single.

Pitches it up, around off, Jason Holder leans and nicely drives but finds the cover fielder.

Gives a bit of width, outside off. Jason Holder rocks back and punches it straight to point.

Bangs it short and bowls it outside off, Powell rides the bounce and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slightly short, around off, angled away. Powell cuts it to deep point for a run.

A bit too full and on middle, drilled to long on for one more.

Looped up, fuller and on middle, Jason Holder tucks it to square leg. Slight misfield there but no run is taken.

Quicker and fuller in line of the stumps. Jason Holder opens up his body and makes a solid block.

Floats it fuller and around off, Jason Holder hangs back and drops it to cover.

Tossed up, around off, Powell nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

The next batter is Jason Holder. West Indies will be desperate to build some sort of a sustained partnership here. Also, Rashid Khan is now on the field and we might see him bowl soon. For now, Mohammad Nabi is into the attack.

OUT! TAKEN! Another one bites the dust! Ziaur Rahman comes back into the attack and strikes in the final delivery. Bowls it shorter and keeps it close to the off pole. Quentin Sampson is squeezed for room as he tries to pull it, gets a thick top edge which flies behind to the keeper, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who makes no mistake.

A bouncer with some extra bounce behind it, outside off, Quentin Sampson flashes his blade and misses.

Hard length delivery, touch short and around off, Powell pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A halt in play as Rovman Powell's bat seems to have been damaged. He gets a change of bat and we are good to continue.

A pinpoint yorker, around off, Powell can only dig it out back. Rovman Powell has broken the cue end of his blade in the process and needs to change it.

Short of a length, around off, Powell pulls it to the left of deep mid-wicket. The fielder slides across and keeps it down to two.

A good length delivery, around off, Powell stays back and taps it to Rahman.

Change in bowling. Pace again, here is Ziaur Rahman.

Shortish length on the pads, tucked away neatly down to fine leg for a single by Powell.

Floated up on a length and around off, Powell pushes it out to covers.

Two is the call and two is what they get. Shortish length around off, worked off the back foot and wide of long on for a couple of runs by Powell.

Quicker one at the stumps, nudged away through mid-wicket for a single.

Slower and shorter on miiddle, pushed down to long on for a single.

SIX! That's a clean strike from Rovman Powell. Fired in, full and around off. Powell goes on one knee and swings through the line, lifting it back over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Short of a length and outside off, Sampson hangs back and taps it down to backward point.

Nagging length, in and around off, Sampson tentatively pushes it out towards point.

Noor comes around the wicket now and bowls it fuller around off. Rovman pushes it through mid on for one.

Risky running but the batters make it. Flatter one on middle, Powell rocks back and works it wide of long on. The batters race back for the second and the fielder fires in a rocket throw at the bowler's end, but misses, allowing Sampson to get back home.

Shorter in length, angled across off, Sampson stays back and guides it through short third for one more.

Tossed up, full and on leg, Powell wrists it away through square leg for a single.

Beaten! Quicker one outside off, sliding straight on. The ball is through to the keeper even before Quentin Sampson has a swoosh at it.

The in-form Rutherford goes. Quentin Sampson partners Rovman Powell in the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sherfane Rutherford has thrown it away and West Indies have lost half their side inside the first 8 overs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman pulls the length back by a few inches and keeps the line straight. Rutherford rocks back and forces the pull shot wide of long on. Azmatullah Omarzai moves swiftly to his left and snaffles it nicely.

Dragged length on the pads, worked away off the back foot and in front of square leg for a run.

Nagging length again, sliding back on from outside off. Powell backs away and taps it to the right of point.

Mujeeb comes around the wicket to the left-hander. This is bowled a touch fuller and slides back into the batter. Rutherford gets pegged back and gets an inside edge down to short fine leg for a single.

Mujeeb spears this one in towards the toes. Powell manages to dig it out past square leg and picks up a single.

Quick and flat outside off, cut away straight to the fielder at point.

Nagging length on middle, skids back into the left-hander and Rutherford plays all around it.

Fuller one on middle and leg, clipped away through mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Another cheeky shot from Rovman Powell and that brings up the 50 for West Indies. Full and on the stumps, Powel lunges across and laps it back over the keeper's head and the ball trickles away into the fence.

Bowled flatter and pushed outside off, Powell leans across to get inside the line. He sweeps it off the top edge and over the vacant short fine leg region for a couple of runs.

On the money! On a good length around off, turns a touch. Rutherford rocks back and pushes it wide of point for a single.

Noor Ahmad comes on to bowl right after the Powerplay.

Flat and full, around off, Rovman Powell opts to block it off. West Indies are 43/4 at the end of the Powerplay.

Flatter delivery, darted in at the stumps, Powell gets an inside edge through backward square leg and picks up a couple of runs.

Dragged length targeting the stumps, Powell hangs back and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Tossed up around off, lifted wide of long off by Sherfane Rutherford for a single.

West Indies aren't backing down even after losing so many wickets early on. A full toss on middle and leg, Rutherford lofts it over mid on and picks up a couple of runs.

DRINKS BREAK! Two wickets in three balls and West Indies are in tatters inside the Powerplay. Still a lot of firepower in the tank but against some quality bowling by the Afghans, West Indies have found it difficult to hold on. Sherfane Rutherford joins Rovman Powell in the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! West Indies are self-imploding here. Mujeeb Ur Rahman begins with a fuller-length ball outside off. Johnson Charles sits down to play a cheeky flick over short fine leg but ends up chipping it straight to the man over there. Fazalhaq Farooqi holds onto a simple catch and West Indies are 38/4 as Charles departs for 8 (9).

Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes in to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

Top nut to end the over! Serves it slightly short, around off, shoots up the deck. Rovman Powell defends close off his gloves and lobs it onto the deck.

West Indies are 3 down inside the first 5 overs. Rovman Powell is the new batter in.

OUT! TAKEN! Third time asking, Afghanistan hold onto it! Pitches it up, around off, Roston Chase plays a nothing shot, he skies it up to mid off where Ibrahim Zadran safely takes it. Afghanistan on fire with the ball. Roston Chase goes for just 6 runs.

Serves it full and drifting on middle, Charles drills it to mid on or a single.

Wide! Fuller delivery, down the leg side, Charles looks to flick but misses.

DROPPED AGAIN! It would have been a great catch. Shorter and outside off, offers room. Chase flashes his blade and edges it to the right of the keeper. Rahmanullah Gurbaz puts in a full stretched dive but palms it away for a single. Roston Chase has survived twice now.

FOUR! Streaky! On a good length on top of off, slanting in. Roston Chase is stuck inside his crease as he tries to heave it away. Gets a thick outside edge over short third and it rolls to the fence.

Hard length, outside off, tapped to point.

DROPPED! A straight forward catch goes down! Short of a good length, around off, Chase tries to punch it over the mid off fielder but plays off the sticker on the blade. Ibrahim Zadran tracks back and covers the required ground only to spill it out at the last moment.

Holds a bit into the surface, touch short and just outside off, Chase keeps it out on the deck.

Fractionally full and sliding down leg. Chase fails to flick and it rolls off the pads to the keeper. A good stop diving to his left.

Serves it full and in line of the stumps, Chase plays with the angle and eases it to mid on.

Another wicket falls and out walks the new batter. Rostom Chase is in next.

OUT! CASTLED! The off stump is uprooted! A nothing shot by King! On a nagging length, around off, seaming in. Brandon King is pegged back as he tries to work it across the line but misses and the ball hits the off stump. Brandon King goes for just 11 runs to his name. West Indies lose both the openers.

Short in length and on middle, good carry off the deck. Brandon King comes down the track to pull but misses.

FOUR! Powered! Back of a length, outside off, a slower delivery. Charles slashes his blade with force and hits it past cover for a boundary.

FIVE WIDES! Ziaur Rahman gets triggered as he tries to follow Charles on the leg side, dishes out past his leg and behind to the fence. No chance for the keeper to stop it.

Wide! A slower bouncer sliding on leg, Charles lets it go for a wide.

Into the surface, shorter, outside off, Charles bends his knees to cut but finds the man at point.

In-angler, length delivery on middle, Charles stays back to defend.

Keeps it wide, a bit shorter. Charles slashes his blade and misses.

Short in length, outside off, Charles clears his front leg to pull but cue ends his shot over mid off. Rashid Khan runs back and keeps it down to two.

Length delivery, attacking the stumps, Johnson Charles drops it to cover.

SIX! Ruins what was turning out to be a good over! Overpitches it up, around off, Brandon King leans into his lofted shot and hits it over long off for a six.

On a good length, outside off, tapped to point for a single.

The next batter is in. It is Johnson Charles in at number 3, replacing Shai Hope.

OUT! GONE! Shai Hope holes out in the deep! Shai Hope takes charge and Azmatullah Omarzai serves it full, outside off, Hope throws his blade and slices it away to deep backward point where Mohammad Nabi holds onto it.

Peach of a delivery from Omarzai. A skiddy length delivery on middle, comes with an angle. Shai Hope half-presses down to defend but gets beaten on the inside edge and somehow the ball rolls over the stumps. Good carry for the keeper as he dives to his left to collect it.

Touch too full and on middle, drilled to mid on for a quick single.

Azmatullah Omarzai serves it full and around off, Brandon King gets across and eases it to mid on.

Azmatullah Omarzai to share the new ball with Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Pitches it up, looking for some swing. Brandon King whips it aerially and to the right of deep square leg for a run.

Short of a good length and on middle, King clips it to deep square leg for a brace.

Angles away a length ball, seaming back in a little, outside off. King presses across to punch it but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Back of a length, outside off, Hope cuts it to third man for a single.

FOUR! Fortunate boundary! Serves a wide yorker, outside off and it shapes back in late. Shai Hope leans across to drive but gets a thick inside edge, past the stumps and to the fine leg fence.

Fazalhaq Farooqi bowls the hard length, swinging in a little on the hips. King clips it to square leg for a single.

Wide! West Indies are underway courtesy a wide delivery down leg. King fails to flick it away.

OUT! GULBADIN NAIB IS RUN OUT! Shamar Joseph nails his yorker and bowls it on middle, Naib squeezes it out to the right of the bowler. Shamar Joseph goes across, picks with his right hand and underarms at his end from yards away. An easy run out. Afghanistan end with 182/6.

DROPPED! A low full toss on middle, Nabi clears his front leg and heaves it straight in the hands of Sherfane Rutherford at deep mid-wicket, who spills out a dolly. A single is taken.

Shamar Joseph misses his mark and bowls a pacy full toss on middle, turned to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Leg bye! Superb delivery! A yorker, tailing in a fraction onto the batter. Nabi fails to dig it out and wears it on the boot. It rolls to square leg for a leg bye.

Pushes it full and bowls it around off, Nabi steps back and across to get underneath but hits it back to Joseph.

A good looking yorker, angling around off, Naib digs it out in front of cover for a single.

Darwish Rasooli is now being retired out. Mohammad Nabi is out to partner Gulbadin Naib now.

Darwish Rasooli has not recovered from the injury suffered and won't be able to participate any more with the bat. As it stands, Darwish Rasooli is retired out.

Drops it short and just outside off, Darwish Rasooli looks to pull it away but misses.

FOUR! Nicely played! Darwish Rasooli gets underneath to this fuller delivery and punches it over Holder's head and wide of Roston Chase at mid off for a boundary.

Wide! Over the legal line, well outside off, DR lets it be.

Bowls the yorker in the blockhole, on middle, Darwish Rasooli squeezes it out to long on for a brace.

Comes around the wicket to Naib! Bowls it short in line and on middle, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Nails it close to the tramline with a fuller delivery. Gulbadin Naib fails to connect.

Holder keeps it full and pushes it wide. Darwish Rasooli throws his blade and hits it to mid off for a single.

Wide! Bowls it too full and too wide, Darwish Rasooli leaves it alone.

Azmatullah Omarzai has not recovered from the injury suffered and won't be able to participate any more with the bat. As it stands, Azmatullah Omarzai is retired out.

Azmatullah Omarzai's job with the bat is done. Gulbadin Naib replaces him as Omarzai is retired out.

SIX! The fielder watches it sail over his head! Not that short, around off, Omarzai punches on the up and hits it well over the long on fielder for a biggie.

FOUR! Forde has undone all the good work of the previous over! Straighter delivery, in the slot on middle, Omarzai thumps it down the ground and it rolls to the fence.

Pitched up, outside off, Omarzai leans and crunches it wide of long off for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Just wide of the keeper! Short again, into the surface and on middle, Omarzai stands tall to pull but mistimes it to the left of the diving keeper. Well past his stretched hands and it races to the fine leg fence.

Serves it full and follows Omarzai on the leg side, this is clipped to square leg for a single.

SIX! HIT AWAY! Shorter delivery, angling close to the helmet, Omarzai picks well as he plays the pull shot over square leg for a biggie. 150 up for Afghanistan.

A dot to end the over! Jayden Seales executes the over well! Serves it full and wide of off, Darwish Rasooli swings his blade and misses.

Another dot! Flirts with the tramline, outside off, too full. Darwish Rasooli lets it go.

Beaten again! Drags the length back a fraction and bowls it outside off, Darwish Rasooli looks to pull but is beaten by the extra bounce.

A loosener but gets away with it! A gentle full toss on the pads, it is clipped to deep square leg for a single.

Seales bowls in the channel once again, keeps it away from the batter. Omarzai swings wildly fails to connect.

Wide! Keeps it full but too wide this time, Omarzai leaves it for a wide.

Extra pace from Seales as he bowls it short and wide of off, Omarzai slashes his blade and misses.

Wide! Serves it full, over the strip line, AO lets it be.

Looped up, fuller delivery on middle, Omarzai works it to down to long on and keeps the strike.

SIX! High and handsome! Chases pushes it fuller and on leg, Omarzai makes room and goes inside out over long off for a massive six. Good partnership building up here.

A low full toss, drifting onto the pads, flicked to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Bowls it full and in line of the stumps, Omarzai plays it to long on and rotates the strike.

Flatter trajectory, outside off, Darwish Rasooli punches it to long off for one more.

Floats it full and on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai drills it to long on for a single.

FOUR! Stellar batting from Rasooli, 16 off the over. Shortish length, angled into the hips. Rasooli gets inside the line and helps it down to fine leg for a boundary.

Full and straight, Rasooli takes the front leg out and drills it down to the left of long on. Rovman Powell is able to cut it off and keeps it down to a brace.

FOUR! Not off the middle of the blade but enough to clear Rovman Powell in the deep. Dug in short over middle, Darwish Rasooli pullsit wide of long on, one-bounce into the fence.

Beaten for pace! Back of a length, hammered into the deck and pushed wide of the off stump. Rasooli backs away a bit and looks to cut but misses.

Hard length over middle, angling in, Rasooli tucks it away wide of deep mid-wicket and picks up a couple of easy runs.

FOUR! That's been smoked by Darwish Rasooli. Overpitched around off, Rasooli stands tall and drills it to the right of the mid off fielder for a boundary.

Darted in, on a fullish length and outside off, Rasooli reaches out and pushes it through covers for one.

Floated up on the pads, tucked away past square leg for a single by Omarzai.

Dragged length, angled into the batter. Azmatullah Omarzai hops back and pts it down to the right of the bowler.

Good passage of play from West Indies as they pick up the third wicket. Azmatullah Omarzai is the next batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sediqullah Atal departs very soon after the retirement of Ibrahim Zadran and Afghanistan will now have two new batters at the crease. Floated up, full and outside off. Atal steps down the track and gets too close to the pitch of the ball, forcing the lofted shot wide of long off. Gudakesh Motie moves to his right and pouches it safely and Afghanistan are now 112/3.

Good length, turning back into the stumps, Rasooli plays it off the back foot and down to long on for a run.

On the shorter side and outside off, punched away off the back foot through covers for one.

Ibrahim Zadran has not recovered from the injury suffered and won't be able to participate any more with the bat. As it stands, Ibrahim Zadran is retired out.

Shortish length at the stumps, tucked away through mid-wicket for a single.

Flighted delivery on the pads, Atal sits down to sweep but gets a top edge that flies over the head of the short fine leg fielder. They get a couple of runs.

Fired in, full and at the batter, Zadran backs away and squeezes it behind point for a single.

Tossed up, wide outside off, Zadran goes down on one knee to loft it over covers but misses.

Flatter, on the pads, nudged away behind square leg for a single.

A direct hit would have been close. Floated up on middle, Sediqullah Atal ises his feet and clips it through mid-wicket. The batters scamper back for the second run and the throw from the deep almost hits the stumps at the bowler's end.

Shortish length outside off, tapped away behind point for a quick run.

FIFTY up for the stand-in Afghan skipper. Full and darted in around off, Ibrahim Zadran jams it firmly to long off and picks up a single.

Oh, that could have been curtains for Zadran. Quicker one, fired into the pads, Zadran steps out to go big but misses and thankfully for him, he gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Tossed up on off, Atal comes forward and pushes it down to long off for a single.

Fuller one, angling back in from off, Sediqullah Atal eases it back to the bowler.

Chase begind ith a shortish ball around off, Atal rocks back and taps it down to cover-point.

Shortish length over middle, nudged away to mid-wicket for a single. The 100 is now up for Afghanistan in 11 overs.

Dragged length angled into middle and leg, Atal nudges it down to backward square leg.

Full and at the stumps, Zadran steps out and jams it down to long off for one more.

TWO WIDES! Fired in down leg again, this time Atal misses the normal sweep and the ball beats the keeper to roll away towards short fine leg.

Flat and darted down leg, Atal tries to reverse-sweep it away but misses.

Fuller one, around off, Sediqullah Atal lunges to defend.

Good length, outside off, swatted away wide of deep cover for a single.

In-angler delivery, full and on middle, Zadran turns it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Drags the length back and bowls it on top of off, dabbed to third man for a single.

BEATEN! In the channel, on the driving length and angled across. Atal presses across to push it away but misses.

A low dipping yorker on middle, eased down to mid on and switches ends.

Nagging length delivery, around off, Atal punches it square to point for a run. He is off the mark.

Hard length delivery, angling on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran bunts it to mid-wicket for a single.

Flights a straighter delivery, outside off, Sediqullah Atal leans across and plays it back to Motie.

The next batter is Sediqullah Atal, who walks in at number 3 for Afghanistan.

OUT! UPPISH AND GONE! A wicket against the run of play! Slightly short, around off, turning a bit away. Gurbaz rocks back and forces his cut shot fairly too much. Gets a thick outside edge to short third man where Akeal Hosein pouches it safely. Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes for 43 (28). The 90-run partnership is broken.

These two are seriously good between the sticks! Into the bockhole, very full on middle, Gurbaz leans and turns it to square leg. In front of the fielder and picks a couple.

Darted on the pads, nudged to square leg for one more.

SIX! Beautiful shot! Gudakesh Motie goes fractionally full and bowls into the stumps, Ibrahim Zadran plants his front foot across and slogs it behind square leg for a biggie.

Tossed up on middle, Ibrahim Zadran goes back and punches it to the right of short cover.

Excellent running! Touch short, shaping on the hips. Gurbaz tucks it into the gap to mid-wicket and safely comes back for the second.

Hard length and attacking the top of middle. Gurbaz is pegged back as he taps it to cover.

Sees Gurbaz skip down and Forde pushes it wide on the slower side. Gurbaz swings and slices it away to deep cover for a brace.

Skiddy fuller delivery on middle, whipped down to long on for a run.

A slower ball into the surface on off, Ibrahim Zadran controllably pulls it to deep square leg for one.

FOUR! PICKS THE GAP! Matthew Forde starts with a good length delivery, width on offer. Ibrahim Zadran slaps it to the right of point fielder and it races to the fence.

Pushed through, full and on middle, flicked to mid-wickt for a single.

FOUR! CUT AWAY! Fractionally short, around off, Ibrahim Zadran judges the length, bends low and slashes it past cover for a boundary.

Fires it full and in line of the stumps, Ibrahim Zadran keeps it out on the leg side.

CHANCE! Motie slows up the pace and gives some flight, around off, Ibrahim Zadran uses his feet and slices his shot to deep cover. The fielder runs across to his left but fails to hold on. Two runs are added.

A bit quicker, fuller and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran squeezes it out to short mid-wicket. Gurbaz wants a single but is wisely sent back.

Tossed up, full and around off, Gurbaz punches it to mid off for a single.

Drinks Break! A Powerplay that was dominated by Afghanistan and West Indies have a lot of work to do. There were hardly any opportunities created with the ball and they will hope that they can put a bit of a squeeze on in the middle phase. Let's see how the next phase pans out.

15 runs off the over. On a good length and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran nudges it with soft hands to mid-wicket for a brace.

SIX! Picturesque shot from Zadran! Slants in a length ball on leg, Ibrahim Zadran gets inside the line as he steps away and gets his wrists into work, flicks it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Accurately bowls the yorker, angles it on leg, Gurbaz digs it out to cover for a run.

FOUR! Helped away! Holder errs in line a bit and dishes out on the pads. Gurbaz tickles it away to fine leg and it races to the fence. 50 up for Afghanistan.

A good length ball, attacking the stumps, Ibrahim Zadran fends it to mid-wicket for a single.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away to the leg side, shorter delivery and top edges his pull shot to deep square leg. A single.

SIX! Wow, even better! Banged in short over middle, Zadran hangs back and stays fairly upright, pummeling the pull over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

FOUR! Fine shot from Ibrahim Zadran. Pitched on a fuller length and around off, Zadran just hits through the line and hammers it flat back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Dug in shorter and over middle, Gurbaz gets inside the line and nudges it behind square leg for a single.

Good length around the top of off, Gurbaz stays leg side and looks to loft it away but miscues it on the bounce to mid off.

FOUR! Nicely done. Shorter one, following the batter past the off stump. Gurbaz adjusts well and angles it behind backward point for a boundary.

Hard length in the channel, Ibrahim Zadran stands tall and hits it on the up, towards deep point for a single.

Excellent over barring the two wides. Full and straight, right on the popping crease. Gurbaz backs away to open the off side but has to dig it out.

That's feisty from SJ! Banged in short and just outside off, good bounce and carry on this one. Gurbaz is unable to lay a bat on it.

On a hard length and around off, eased off the back foot towards cover-point.

Short of a length, banged in towards the batter. Zadran fails to get it away and wears it on the body. The batters scamper through for a leg bye.

Hard length over off, Zadran hangs back and toe-ends the ball towards mid on.

WIDE. Full of a length and darted down the leg side for another wide.

Swing and a miss! Joseph hits the deck hard and gets the ball to curve away from off. Zadran comes down the pitch and has a swing across the line but is well beaten.

WIDE! Starts with a looseener, does Shamar. Good length, slips it down the leg side for a wide.

Shamar Joseph is into the attack, replacing Jason Holder.

SIX! Rahmanullah Gurbaz spoils a perfectly good over from Akeal Hosein. Slightly shorter on middle, Gurbaz leans back and muscles the pull over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

The armball now, slides back into the stumps. Gurbaz backs away to cut but Roston Chase at point makes a sharp stop.

Darted in, fuller and on middle and leg. Gurbaz gets pegged back and has to block it off.

Dragged length on middle, Zadran hangs back and punches it down to mid on for a single.

Zadran gives an early charge and Akeal sees him coming. Drags the length and bowls it at the batter, who has to just block it off.

Quicker delivery darted into the pads, Zadran flicks it straight to square leg.

Back of a length, shaping away from outside off. Gurbaz stays back to cut but is beaten by the extra bounce.

Fuller in length, on middle and leg, clipped away to mid-wicket.

In the air again but this one lands well wide of the fielder. Hard length on middle, Gurbaz dances down the track and hoicks it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

DROPPED AND SIX! Oh, no! The fielder has palmed it over the ropes. Good length around off, nibbling away. Rahmanullah Gurbaz steps out and slices it away to the right of deep point. The fielder runs around and fumbles the ball over the ropes.

Hard length around off, Zadran chops it down in front of point and picks up an easy single.

Pitched up, fuller and shaping away from off. Gurbaz leans on and just eases it towards mid off for a quick single.

Jason Holder to bowl from the other end.

Good length, in line with the stumps, clipped away wide of mid on for a single. 11 off the first over.

FOUR! Oh, that would have been an unbelievable catch. Fuller one on the pads, Gurbaz sits down and sweeps it towards short fine leg. The fielder over there leaps up and manages to get fingertips on it as the ball bursts through and goes to the fence.

Fired in at the stumps, tucked away straight to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Uppish but in the gap! Short and outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz rocks back to cut but gets it more off the outside edge and the ball flies over backward point for a boundary.

Dragged length on off, Zadran hangs back and just angles it down to the left of short third before picking up a quick single.

Off the mark right away. Hosein starts with a flatter delivery on the pads, Gurbaz nudges it away towards mid-wicket for a single.

We are all set for action. The West Indies players are out in the middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran to open for Afghanistan. Spin to start, here is Akeal Hosein...

The captain of Afghanistan - Ibrahim Zadran, the stand-in skipper, says they would have bowled first as well. Shares they are coming with confidence after beating the West Indies recently. Hopes to tune in to the warm-up matches before going into the World Cup. Acknowledges the experience in the squad.

West Indies captain - Shai Hope says they will bowl first as he feels they have lost several tosses recently and want to bat second. Tells that they want to cover every basis before going into the World Cup and go with confidence.

West Indies - Shai Hope (C/WK), Brandon King, Quentin Sampson, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Johnson Charles, Jayden Seales, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Matthew Forde, and Shamar Joseph.

Afghanistan - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran (C), Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Ishaq, Rashid Khan, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Noor Ahmad.

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in favour of West Indies. They will BOWL first.

Strong start leads to positive momentum - Afghanistan are placed in a tightly contested Group D alongside a couple of heavyweights. Winning both their warm-up matches would hand them a massive confidence boost as they began their campaign against New Zealand, and then against South Africa, with UAE and Canada to follow. West Indies, meanwhile, are slotted into Group C, where England pose the biggest threat, alongside associate sides Scotland, Nepal, and Italy. And with this being their only warm-up game, time to settle combinations and find rhythm is at a premium. Let’s see who performs better here.

The men in maroon search for their lost flair - Losing 2-1 to Afghanistan and then going down by the same margin against the Proteas, West Indies arrive with plenty of issues to iron out. They have lost big, lost close, and lost comprehensively, in almost every way possible. Despite flashes of quality, the knockout blow has repeatedly gone missing when it has mattered most. Under Shai Hope’s leadership, they have assembled a strong squad packed with firepower. The likes of Charles, Hetmyer, Rutherford, and Powell bring serious brute force, complemented by the class of Brandon King and Hope himself. Add to that a core of experienced, proven all-rounders led by Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd, and there is certainly no shortage of depth or muscle in this West Indies lineup.

The Afghans punch above their weight - These two sides locked horns recently in a thrilling three-match T20I series in the UAE, where Afghanistan flexed their growing muscle and walked away with a 2-1 win. Darwish Rasooli led the charge with a pair of half-centuries, while Ibrahim Zadran impressed with his consistency at the top. Rasooli has carried that form into the warm-ups as well, blasting a scintillating 84 off just 46 balls against Scotland in their opening outing. With the ball, Mujeeb and Rashid have been pivotal and are expected to make the most of subcontinental conditions, while Azmatullah Omarzai, who has been in decent form, adds a serious all-round edge to Afghanistan’s firepower

... MATCH DAY ...

The clash of spirits in Bengaluru - Just three days remain before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 roars into action, and the warm-up games are already in full swing. Match 8 sets up an intriguing clash between Afghanistan, the fearless challengers, and West Indies, a side searching for the revival of its pride. On that note, hello and welcome to our coverage of this warm-up encounter at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.