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Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai helped his side open their win account in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 clash. At Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, Afghanistan beat UAE by five wickets with four balls to spare in a closely-fought encounter. After an economical four-wicket haul, Omarzai's unbeaten 21-ball 40 helped Afghanistan register a consolation win.
Zadran’s patient fifty after Gurbaz’s early dismissal
In the run chase of 161, Afghanistan lost an in-form Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a two-ball duck to Junaid Siddique. This was the fifth time Siddique got the better of Gurbaz in the format. In the fourth over, Ibrahim Zadran broke the shackles by hitting Haider Ali for three fours and a six. Gulbadin Naib hit a six and a four before falling to Muhammad Arfan. Afghanistan were 41/2 after powerplay overs.
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In the 10th over, Muhammad Jawadullah knocked over Sediqullah Atal. Afghanistan were 72/3 at the halfway stage. In the 12th over, Zadran reached his fifty from 37 balls. Arfan returned to dismiss the opener in the 14th over. He scored 53 runs from 41 balls, including six fours and a six. Afghanistan got to the 100-run mark in the same over.
Omarzai guides Afghanistan home
Omarzai and Darwish Rasooli took charge of the run chase as the slog overs approached. Sixes and fours flowed as UAE bowlers erred with their line and lengths. Then Siddique returned to get the breakthrough. Rasooli for a 23-ball 33. But Omarzai kept calm with 17 runs needed off last two overs. 13 runs came off the penultimate over. On the second ball of the final over, Omarzai finished the run chase with a boundary. The all-rounder remained unbeaten for 40 off 21 balls.
Good start for UAE after openers fall
Earlier, Rashid Khan won the toss and opted to bowl first. Omarzai did not take much time to strike. He dismissed Aryansh Sharma for a four-ball duck, his 50th T20I scalp. In the next over, skipper Muhammad Waseem got out lbw to Mujbeeb Ur Rahman after two consecutive fours. In the fifth over, Sohaib Khan hit Ziaur Rahman Sharifi for three fours. After powerplay overs, UAE had 55/2 on the board.
Sohaib sets platform but UAE lose wickets in cluster
In the 10th over, Noor Ahmad took a beating. Alishan Sharafu and Sohaib hit him for a six each. At the halfway stage, UAE were 93/2. Mujeeb returned to break the partnership. Sharafu departed for a 31-ball 40. In the 15th over, Omarzai struck twice to dismiss Syed Haider and Harshit Kaushik.
In the 16th over, Sohaib got to his fifty with a six. In the same over, Arfan got out hit wicket. He became Rashid's 700th T20 scalp. The leg-spinner became first to achieve the feat in the format. In the 18th over, Sharifi was expensive as he conceded 18 runs. In the penultimate over, Omarzai ended Sohaib's stay at the crease. His 48-ball 68 was studded with six fours and four sixes. In the final over, Haider Ali and Siddique got run out. UAE managed to post 160/9.
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