Afghanistan has secured a T20 series victory. They defeated the West Indies in the second match. This win gives them an unassailable 2-0 lead. The series features three T20 International matches. The third match is scheduled for January 22, 2026.
Afghanistan posted a massive score. They reached 189 runs for four wickets. This is their highest T20I score against the Caribbean side. Darwish Rasooli led the charge. He scored 68 runs from 39 balls. Rasooli hit five fours and three sixes. Sediqullah Atal also contributed significantly. He made 53 runs from 42 balls. Atal smashed two fours and three sixes.
Building a Strong Foundation
Afghanistan lost two early wickets. Rahmanullah Gurbaz departed for 1 run. Ibrahim Zadran added 22 runs. They were 37/2 by the fifth over. Rasooli and Atal then formed a crucial partnership. They built a 115-run stand for the third wicket. This partnership was key to their high total. The partnership brought Afghanistan past 100 runs. They reached 152/3 when Atal was dismissed. Rasooli followed soon after.
Azmatullah Omarzai provided late impetus. He scored an unbeaten 26 runs off just 13 balls. Omarzai hit one four and two sixes. His quickfire cameo boosted the final score. This strong batting performance set a challenging target for the West Indies.
Mujeeb’s Magical Spell
The West Indies chase faltered. They were bowled out for 150 runs in 18.3 overs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the star bowler for Afghanistan. He took four wickets for just 21 runs. Mujeeb achieved a memorable hat-trick. He dismissed Evin Lewis lbw and clean-bowled Johnson Charles. He then completed his hat-trick by clean bowling Quentin Sampson. This spell crippled the West Indies middle order.
Rashid Khan supported Mujeeb well. He took one wicket for 19 runs. Fazalhaq Farooqi also claimed two wickets. Azmatullah Omarzai contributed with two wickets as well. The West Indies struggled to build partnerships. Brandon King top-scored with 50 runs. Shimron Hetmyer scored 46 runs off just 17 balls. However, their efforts were not enough.
Series Context and Implications
This victory is significant for Afghanistan. It marks their second consecutive T20I series win against the West Indies. It also boosts their confidence ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The series is serving as crucial preparation. Both teams are using these matches to refine strategies. The conditions in Dubai mirror those expected in India and Sri Lanka for the World Cup.
The West Indies team, captained by Brandon King, will look to avoid a whitewash in the final match. They will aim for a consolation win. Afghanistan, led by Rashid Khan, will be keen to maintain their winning momentum. This sports news highlights Afghanistan’s growing strength in T20 cricket. It shows their capability against top international sides in the Caribbean and globally.
The first match of the series also saw Afghanistan secure a win. They posted 181/3, with Ibrahim Zadran scoring 87 and Darwish Rasooli 84. Their bowlers restricted the West Indies to 143/9. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan were key performers then too. This consistent performance underscores Afghanistan’s strong showing in this series. The final match will be played on January 22, 2026.