Dubai (Parliament Politics Magazine) January 19, 2026 – Afghanistan reached 104 for 2 after 13 overs in the 1st T20I against West Indies at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, anchored by Ibrahim Zadran’s unbeaten fourth successive T20I fifty. The hosts lost early wickets but steadied through a partnership with Darwish Rasooli after winning the toss and batting first. This series opener serves as vital preparation for both sides ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan won the toss and elected to bat in the first of three T20Is against West Indies on January 19, 2026, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The venue, known for its flat pitches and true bounce, hosted the match under lights, with the first ball bowled at 8:00 pm IST. As reported extensively by Deepak Joshi of Outlook India, the series wraps on January 22, allowing Afghanistan direct entry into the T20 World Cup, while West Indies prepare via a subsequent three-match tour of South Africa.
Viewers in India accessed live streaming via the FanCode app and website, with no television coverage available. The match drew attention as both teams test combinations for the global showpiece.
Official Confirmation of Playing XIs from Afghanistan Cricket Board
The Afghanistan Cricket Board shared its starting XI ahead of the toss, emphasising team unity.
Afghanistan Cricket Board – @ACBofficials said in X post,
“🚨 STARTING XI! 🚨
Have a look at our starting lineup for the 1st T20I against the West Indies. 👏
Go well, Atalano! 👍
#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvWI | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam”
🚨 STARTING XI! 🚨
Have a look at our starting lineup for the 1st T20I against the West Indies. 👏
Go well, Atalano! 👍#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvWI | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/Seq4xCHccL
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) January 19, 2026
Deepak Joshi of Outlook India confirmed the line-up: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (captain), Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi. This XI blends seasoned all-rounders like Nabi and Khan with promising batters, reflecting Afghanistan’s depth in limited-overs cricket.
West Indies fielded: Brandon King (captain), Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles (wicketkeeper), Amir Jangoo, Shimron Hetmyer, Quentin Sampson, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales. Full squads listed by Outlook India included reserves such as Alick Athanaze and Fazalhaq Farooqi for Afghanistan, and Shamar Springer for West Indies.
West Indies Confirm Toss Outcome on Social Media
Moments after the toss, the official West Indies account provided confirmation, noting the bowling option.
Windies Cricket – @windiescricket said in X post,
“Toss News 🪙🏏
Using the ball first in this encounter, Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat.
#AFGvWI | #MenInMaroon”
Toss News 🪙🏏
Using the ball first in this encounter, Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat. #AFGvWI | #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/IZyoGct76R
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) January 19, 2026
Rashid Khan’s decision to bat aligned with conditions favouring chasing under lights in Dubai, where dew often plays a role in evening games.
Seales Delivers Early Breakthroughs for West Indies
Play commenced with Gurbaz facing Seales. Off the first ball, Gurbaz drove a full outswinger to short mid-on and set off for a single. Gudakesh Motie collected and threw down the stumps directly, catching Gurbaz short. Afghanistan slipped to 0/1 immediately, as detailed by Deepak Joshi of Outlook India at 8:14 pm IST.
Seales struck again in the third over. Sediqullah Atal, referenced enthusiastically by the Afghanistan board as “Atalano,” managed 2 runs off 4 balls before edging a good-length delivery outside off. Brandon King pouched a sharp catch at first slip, reducing Afghanistan to 25/2 by 8:22 pm IST. Seales’ figures read 1/6 at that stage, giving West Indies control.
Powerplay Recovery Through Zadran’s Aggression
Afghanistan needed stability, and Ibrahim Zadran provided it. In the sixth over, he dispatched two boundaries, exploiting width to pierce the off-side field. Darwish Rasooli contributed a single, with two wides conceding extra runs. The powerplay concluded at 51/2, with Zadran on 32 off 22 balls and Rasooli on 15, per Outlook India’s live updates at 8:36 pm IST.
This 12-run over marked a shift, as the duo prioritised accumulation over risks. Zadran’s technique against pace, honed in recent T20 leagues, shone through.
Building Momentum in Middle Overs
The seventh to ninth overs saw steady progress. Rasooli and Zadran rotated strikes against spinners Motie and Pierre, adding singles and doubles. By the 10th over, Afghanistan reached 81/2. Rasooli smashed a boundary to move to 34 off 25, while Zadran notched 42 off 30, as reported by Deepak Joshi of Outlook India at 8:50 pm IST.
No boundaries fell in the 11th and 12th overs, but nine runs came via placements. The run rate hovered above 8, solid for T20 standards post early losses.
Zadran Milestone Anchors Innings at 104/2
Zadran reached his fifty in the 13th over bowled by Motie. A push to long-on off the fourth ball brought up his fourth consecutive T20I half-century—his prior ones against Ireland, Bangladesh, and UAE. Rasooli supported with rotations, adding seven runs to propel Afghanistan to 104/2 by 8:58 pm IST.
Zadran remained unbeaten, showcasing composure. Rasooli contributed steadily, their stand exceeding 70 runs. West Indies rotated bowlers, with Forde and Joseph testing lengths, but Afghanistan’s batters adapted.
Venue and Match Conditions in Focus
Dubai International Cricket Stadium, home to numerous T20 leagues, offered a batting paradise with short boundaries. The pitch assisted seamers early due to moisture, aiding Seales’ swing. Lights illuminated proceedings from 8:00 pm IST, with temperatures around 22°C and minimal wind.
Umpiring duties fell to standard ICC panel members, ensuring neutral officiating. Scorers tracked every delivery meticulously for live platforms.
Broader Series and World Cup Implications
This encounter kicks off a packed schedule. Afghanistan, runners-up in the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-finals, eyes improvement under Khan. West Indies, two-time champions (2012, 2016), rebuild post-retirements.
Post-series, West Indies face South Africa from January 25, refining white-ball strategies. Both nations target Super 8 berths in the 2026 T20 World Cup, hosted across multiple venues.
Recent form underscores stakes: Afghanistan whitewashed Zimbabwe 3-0 in ODIs last month; West Indies split a series with England. Player stats highlight Zadran’s consistency (average 35+ in T20Is) and Seales’ wicket-taking ability.
Key Player Performances and Statistics
Ibrahim Zadran: 50* (strike rate 166+), fourth straight fifty. His opening role stabilised after Gurbaz’s exit.
Darwish Rasooli: 34+ off 25+, boundary-hitter in middle order.
Jayden Seales: 2/20 early, exploiting new ball movement.
Partnerships: Zadran-Rasooli (79* for 3rd wicket), vital after top-order collapse.
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Gurbaz, 0.1 ov), 2-25 (Atal, 2.6 ov).
Historical Context of AFG-WI Rivalries
Afghanistan and West Indies have clashed 10 times in T20Is prior, with West Indies leading 6-4. Notable wins include Afghanistan’s 2021 upset in Lucknow. Dubai hosted their 2020 encounter, won by West Indies.
This series revives bilateral ties, absent since 2024. Both teams’ T20 World Cup paths intersect potentially in group stages.
Broadcast and Global Fan Access
FanCode’s streaming reached Indian audiences, with commentary from ex-players. International viewers tuned via regional partners. Social media buzz, including official posts, amplified reach.
Outlook India’s coverage, updated to 9:02 pm IST, ensured real-time facts.
On-Field Tactics and Bowling Strategies
West Indies bowled tightly post-powerplay, using Motie’s left-arm spin to cramp Zadran. King set aggressive fields, with slips early. Afghanistan targeted gaps, avoiding aerial risks.
Khan’s captaincy from dugout focused on partnerships, conserving all-rounders for chase if needed.
The innings progressed beyond 13 overs, with live scores reflecting ongoing action. Afghanistan’s scoreline positioned them strongly.
