Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 was a masterclass in T20 cricket dominance. On January 21, 2026, at the iconic Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Afghanistan showcased their growing prowess by defeating West Indies by 39 runs. This victory not only gave them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series but also boosted their confidence ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. With Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s historic hat-trick and sparkling fifties from Darwish Rasooli and Sediqullah Atal, Afghanistan proved why they’re emerging as a force in international cricket.
Imagine the electric atmosphere in Dubai – a venue known for its spinning tracks and high-stakes encounters. West Indies, the former T20 giants, were left reeling from fielding errors and a potent Afghan spin attack. For cricket fans in Pune or anywhere in India, this match was a reminder of how international cricket connects us all, especially with Afghan stars like Rashid Khan shining bright. But could West Indies bounce back in the final game? Let’s break it down step by step.
This full match report draws from official sources like ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, and live updates from outlets such as India Today and The Economic Times. We’ve also incorporated fan reactions from X (formerly Twitter) and video highlights from YouTube channels like the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). Whether you’re a die-hard Afghanistan supporter or a West Indies fan hoping for a turnaround, this analysis will give you everything you need.
Match Overview: Afghanistan’s Commanding Performance in Dubai
Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 started with high expectations after Afghanistan’s win in the first match. West Indies captain Brandon King won the toss and opted to bowl, aiming to chase on a pitch that typically favors spinners later. However, Afghanistan’s batters adapted brilliantly, posting 189/4 – a total that proved defendable thanks to their bowlers.
The game unfolded under lights at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with a capacity crowd of 25,000 witnessing key moments like Rasooli’s aggressive 68 and Mujeeb’s game-changing 4/21. West Indies managed 150 in 18.5 overs, falling short despite efforts from Shimron Hetmyer and King.
This series is part of Afghanistan’s preparation for the T20 World Cup, marking their third straight T20I series win. For West Indies, it’s a wake-up call before their South Africa tour. According to ESPNcricinfo’s report, Afghanistan’s spin duo of Mujeeb and Rashid Khan exploited the turning track perfectly.
Here’s a quick look at the basic match details in tabular form:
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | Afghanistan v West Indies in UAE, 2026 |
| Match | 2nd T20I |
| Date | Wednesday, January 21, 2026 |
| Time | 6:30 PM Local (2:30 PM GMT, 8:00 PM IST) |
| Toss | West Indies won and elected to bowl |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Umpires | Ahmad Shah Pakteen, Muhammad Sabir |
| Third Umpire | Izatullah Safi |
| Referee | Hamimullah Hamid |
| Result | Afghanistan won by 39 runs |
| Player of the Match | Mujeeb Ur Rahman (4/21) |
| Series Status | Afghanistan lead 2-0 (3-match series) |
Brief scores: Afghanistan 189/4 (Darwish Rasooli 68, Sediqullah Atal 53; Matthew Forde 2-25) beat West Indies 150 (Brandon King 50, Shimron Hetmyer 46; Mujeeb Ur Rahman 4-21) by 39 runs.
Turning points included Afghanistan’s recovery from 37/2 to a strong total, West Indies’ sluggish powerplay, and Mujeeb’s hat-trick that sealed the deal. As per Cricbuzz updates, West Indies’ four dropped catches were pivotal errors.
Now, let’s dive deeper into Afghanistan’s innings – where the foundation was laid.
Afghanistan Innings: Building a Match-Winning Total on a Turning Pitch
Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 saw Afghanistan’s batters overcome early setbacks to post a competitive 189/4. Inserted to bat, they faced a West Indies attack led by Matthew Forde and Shamar Joseph. The pitch offered grip for spinners, but Afghanistan’s middle order thrived.
The powerplay was tricky. Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell early for 1, caught off Joseph. Ibrahim Zadran looked positive with 22 off 17 (four boundaries), but Forde bowled him. At 37/2 after 4.5 overs, Afghanistan needed a partnership.
Enter Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli. Their 115-run third-wicket stand was the innings’ backbone. Rasooli, in red-hot form, scored his third consecutive T20I fifty – 68 off 39 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes). He raced to 50 in 27 balls, punishing loose balls with cuts and drives.
Atal played the anchor role, scoring 53 off 42 (2 fours, 3 sixes). He settled in before accelerating, reaching his fifty off 38 balls. Together, they added 115 in 71 balls, mixing caution with aggression. As noted in ESPN’s report, West Indies dropped four catches, including let-offs for Rasooli, allowing this stand to flourish.
In the middle overs (7-16), Afghanistan scored 92/2 at a run rate of about 8. Their strike rotation was excellent, with only 28% dot balls overall. Rasooli targeted spinners like Khary Pierre and Gudakesh Motie, while Atal used the shorter boundary effectively.
The death overs surged with Azmatullah Omarzai (26* off 13, 1 four, 2 sixes) and Mohammad Nabi (7* off 5, 1 four). They smashed 19 off Motie’s final over, including back-to-back sixes from Omarzai. This lifted the total to 189/4 – above par on this track.
Full Afghanistan batting scorecard:
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 22 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 129.41 |
| Sediqullah Atal | 53 | 42 | 2 | 3 | 126.19 |
| Darwish Rasooli | 68 | 39 | 5 | 3 | 174.36 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 26* | 13 | 1 | 2 | 200.00 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 7* | 5 | 1 | 0 | 140.00 |
Extras: 12 (b 1, lb 6, w 5). Total: 189/4 (20 overs, RR: 9.45).
Fall of wickets:
| Wicket | Score | Over |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 9-1 | 1.2 |
| 2nd | 37-2 | 4.5 |
| 3rd | 152-3 | 16.4 |
| 4th | 155-4 | 17.2 |
Partnerships:
| Partnership | Runs | Balls | Players |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 9 | 8 | Gurbaz (1) & Zadran (4) |
| 2nd | 28 | 21 | Atal (8) & Zadran (18) |
| 3rd | 115 | 71 | Atal (45) & Rasooli (68) |
| 4th | 3 | 4 | Omarzai (2) & Rasooli (0) |
| 5th | 34 | 16 | Omarzai (24) & Nabi (7) |
West Indies bowling figures:
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Forde | 4 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 6.20 |
| Shamar Joseph | 4 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 8.80 |
| Ramon Simmonds | 4 | 0 | 39 | 1 | 9.80 |
| Khary Pierre | 4 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 7.20 |
| Gudakesh Motie | 4 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 13.50 |
Powerplay: 0.1-6 overs, 54 runs, 2 wickets.
Tactically, Afghanistan focused on building partnerships after early losses. Rasooli’s aggression against spin (he smashed Pierre and Motie) was key. Compared to the first match, where Rasooli scored 84 in a 162-run stand with Zadran, this innings showed consistency. Historical note: Afghanistan’s highest T20I partnership is 236 between Gurbaz and Zadran, but this 115-run stand ranks high in chases.
West Indies’ fielding let them down – those drops cost at least 50 extra runs, per analysis from Sportskeeda. As a fan, don’t you hate when sloppy fielding turns a game?
Moving to the chase – where West Indies’ hopes faded fast.
West Indies Innings: From Hope to Collapse Amid Spin Web
Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 chase was a story of missed opportunities for West Indies. Needing 190, they stumbled to 150 in 18.5 overs, undone by Afghanistan’s bowlers on a grippy pitch.
The powerplay was disastrous – just 29/1, the lowest for West Indies in recent T20Is. Alick Athanaze (8 off 12) was run out sharply by Ibrahim Zadran. Fazalhaq Farooqi’s tight spell squeezed them.
Mujeeb struck in the 8th over, trapping Evin Lewis (13 off 17) lbw and bowling Johnson Charles (0 off 1) through the gate. At 38/3, the required rate soared over 10.
Shimron Hetmyer sparked hope with a blistering 46 off 17 (1 four, 6 sixes). He smashed three sixes off Noor Ahmad and more off Nabi, adding 68 off 33 with Brandon King. King anchored with 50 off 41 (2 fours, 4 sixes), his knock steady amid chaos.
Their partnership scored 60 in 25 balls, threatening a comeback. But Farooqi dismissed Hetmyer in the 14th over, caught by Zadran. From 106/4, the collapse began.
Mujeeb returned for his hat-trick: King miscued to long-on, Quentin Sampson (2 off 4) bowled by a googly. Earlier wickets of Lewis and Charles completed it across spells – Mujeeb’s maiden T20I hat-trick, third for Afghanistan after Rashid and Karim Janat.
The lower order folded: Matthew Forde (6), Khary Pierre (11), Shamar Joseph (0), Ramon Simmonds (1). Azmatullah Omarzai took 2/20, Rashid 1/19.
Full West Indies batting scorecard:
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon King (c) | 50 | 41 | 2 | 4 | 121.95 |
| Alick Athanaze | 8 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Evin Lewis | 13 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 76.47 |
| Johnson Charles (wk) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 46 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 270.59 |
| Quentin Sampson | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Matthew Forde | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Gudakesh Motie | 9* | 6 | 1 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Khary Pierre | 11 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 137.50 |
| Shamar Joseph | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Ramon Simmonds | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
Extras: 4 (lb 1, w 3). Total: 150/10 (18.5 overs, RR: 7.96).
Fall of wickets:
| Wicket | Score | Over |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 9-1 | 2.5 |
| 2nd | 38-2 | 7.5 |
| 3rd | 38-3 | 7.6 |
| 4th | 106-4 | 13.3 |
| 5th | 122-5 | 15.1 |
| 6th | 123-6 | 15.3 |
| 7th | 129-7 | 16.1 |
| 8th | 143-8 | 17.5 |
| 9th | 143-9 | 17.6 |
| 10th | 150-10 | 18.5 |
Partnerships:
| Partnership | Runs | Balls | Players |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 9 | 17 | King (1) & Athanaze (8) |
| 2nd | 29 | 30 | King (14) & Lewis (13) |
| 3rd | 0 | 1 | King (0) & Charles (0) |
| 4th | 68 | 33 | King (22) & Hetmyer (46) |
| 5th | 16 | 10 | King (13) & Sampson (2) |
| 6th | 1 | 2 | Forde (1) & Sampson (0) |
| 7th | 6 | 4 | Forde (5) & Motie (1) |
| 8th | 14 | 10 | Pierre (11) & Motie (2) |
| 9th | 0 | 1 | Joseph (0) & Motie (0) |
| 10th | 7 | 5 | Simmonds (1) & Motie (6) |
Afghanistan bowling figures:
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 3.5 | 0 | 28 | 2 | 7.30 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 4 | 0 | 21 | 4 | 5.20 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 3 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 6.70 |
| Rashid Khan | 4 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 4.80 |
| Noor Ahmad | 2 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 16.00 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14.00 |
| Gulbadin Naib | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 15.00 |
Powerplay: 0.1-6 overs, 29 runs, 1 wicket.
Phase-wise: Middle overs saw 100/5, but death overs yielded only 21/4. Afghanistan’s plan was stump-to-stump bowling, as Mujeeb mentioned in interviews. Hetmyer’s assault (six sixes) was thrilling, but his dismissal shifted momentum.
From X, ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf tweeted: “Incredible performance… Congratulations to Mujeeb for the Hat-Trick.” This echoes fan sentiment worldwide.
What made this chase unforgettable? Let’s list the key highlights.
Key Highlights and Turning Points of the Match
Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 was packed with dramatic moments. Here are 12 standout highlights, drawn from YouTube videos like ACB’s full highlights and ESPN’s clips:
- Toss Decision (Over 0): Brandon King opts to bowl, citing dew. But Afghanistan thrives batting first.
- Early Wicket – Gurbaz Out (1.2 overs): Joseph dismisses Gurbaz for 1, caught by Pierre. Afghanistan 9/1.
- Zadran’s Quick 22 (4.5 overs): Zadran hits four boundaries before Forde bowls him. Score: 37/2.
- Rasooli-Atal Partnership Begins (5th over): They steady the ship, adding 50 in 33 balls by drinks (85/2 at 10 overs).
- Rasooli’s 50 (11.4 overs): Off 27 balls, with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Afghanistan cross 100.
- 100-Run Stand (14th over): Atal and Rasooli reach 100 partnership in 58 balls. Atal’s 50 follows off 38 balls.
- Rasooli Out (17.2 overs): Simmonds catches him off his own bowling for 68. Score: 155/4.
- Omarzai’s Late Sixes (20th over): Back-to-back maximums off Motie; 19 runs in the over push total to 189/4.
- Slow Powerplay for WI (6 overs): Just 29/1; Athanaze run out by Zadran’s direct hit.
- Mujeeb’s Double Strike (7.5-7.6 overs): Lewis lbw, Charles bowled. WI 38/3.
- Hetmyer’s Onslaught (10-13 overs): Six sixes in 17 balls; 50-run stand with King in 28 balls. WI reach 100 in 13.1 overs.
- Mujeeb’s Hat-Trick Completion (15.1 overs): King caught at long-on for 50. Sampson bowled two balls later. Mujeeb’s 4/21 seals it.
Mujeeb’s hat-trick deserves special mention. Spread across spells, it’s a rare feat – only the third in Afghan T20I history. As per ICC records, it joins elite company. Watch the video highlight on YouTube for the crowd’s roar.
These moments shifted the game. Which one had you on the edge of your seat?
Standout Player Performances: Heroes and Disappointments
Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 highlighted individual brilliance. Let’s profile the top performers.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman – Player of the Match (4/21, Hat-Trick): The 24-year-old spinner was unplayable. His carrom balls and googlies wrecked WI. Bio: Debuted at 16, Mujeeb has 63 T20I wickets. His hat-trick, per ESPN, makes him a World Cup asset. Quote: “I focused on hitting the right areas.”
Darwish Rasooli – Batting Star (68 off 39): Third straight fifty. His 174 SR dismantled spinners. Bio: 24-year-old from Laghman, Rasooli averages 35 in T20Is. Impact: Rebuilt innings after early wickets.
Sediqullah Atal (53 off 42): Anchored the middle order. Bio: Emerging talent, Atal’s strike rate of 126 shows maturity.
Shimron Hetmyer (46 off 17): WI’s lone fighter. Six sixes nearly turned the game. Bio: 29-year-old left-hander, known for IPL exploits with Rajasthan Royals. Despite this, WI lost.
Brandon King (50 off 41): Steady but couldn’t accelerate post-Hetmyer. Bio: WI captain, averages 29 in T20Is.
Supporting: Farooqi (2/28) broke the key stand; Omarzai (26* & 2/20) all-round hero. Rashid (1/19) economical.
Disappointments: WI fielders (4 drops); openers like Lewis and Charles failed. As X user @PoppingCreaseSA tweeted: “Fifty from King wasn’t enough.”
Top 5 Players Ranking Table:
| Rank | Player | Team | Stats | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mujeeb Ur Rahman | AFG | 4/21, hat-trick | Game-changer with wickets at crucial times |
| 2 | Darwish Rasooli | AFG | 68 (5×4, 3×6) | Aggressive fifty rebuilt innings |
| 3 | Shimron Hetmyer | WI | 46 (6×6) | Brief but explosive counterattack |
| 4 | Sediqullah Atal | AFG | 53 (3×6) | Solid anchor role |
| 5 | Brandon King | WI | 50 (4×6) | Anchored but couldn’t finish |
These stars defined the match. Now, the tactics behind it.
In-Depth Tactical and Statistical Analysis
Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 showcased smart tactics. Afghanistan’s mantra: Score 180+ batting first, restrict with spin.
Batting Comparison: Afghanistan hit 13 fours and 8 sixes (100 boundary runs); WI 9 fours and 11 sixes (102). But WI’s 47% dot balls vs AFG’s 28% hurt rotation. Run rates: AFG 9.45, WI 7.96.
Phases Table:
| Phase | AFG Runs/Wkts | WI Runs/Wkts |
|---|---|---|
| Powerplay | 54/2 | 29/1 |
| Middle Overs | 92/0 | 100/5 |
| Death Overs | 43/2 | 21/4 |
Bowling Mastery: Afghanistan’s spinners (Mujeeb, Rashid, Noor) took 5/72 in 10 overs. WI pacers effective early, but spinners leaked (Motie 0/54). Afghanistan hit right lengths, as Rashid said.
Fielding Errors: WI dropped 4 catches; extras 4 vs AFG’s 12. Impact: Extra 30-40 runs for AFG.
Historical Context: Afghanistan now have 8 wins in last 10 T20Is vs WI’s struggles. In UAE, AFG win rate is 60%. Per Cricinfo, this series echoes 2019 when AFG beat WI 2-1.
Stats show AFG’s spin edge on turning pitches – key for World Cup.
Post-Match Reactions: What the Captains and POTM Said
Reactions poured in after Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026.
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan Captain): “Playing against the best side in the world is always special. For us, the biggest challenge was how we’re going to combine as a team… This preparation will really help us. In these conditions, line and length remain so important… I’m so happy how Darwish took the responsibility… It’s a good preparation for the World Cup.”
Analysis: Rashid highlights team unity and middle-order strength, crucial post-Asia Cup struggles.
Brandon King (West Indies Captain): “When Hety came in, he had a brilliant start and kept us in the game… I should have taken responsibility… The dropped catches are a disappointment; we have to keep working on it.”
Analysis: King admits fielding lapses and his failure to anchor longer. WI needs fixes before South Africa.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman (POTM): “Congratulations to everyone for the series win. The plan was just to keep it simple… I didn’t know that I was on a hat-trick… So happy for that. It’s a good preparation for us before the World Cup, especially against the best side, the West Indies.”
Analysis: Mujeeb’s humility shines; his focus on basics paid off.
From X, ACB Chairman: “Terrific stuff… Onto the next one!” Fan posts celebrated Mujeeb’s feat.
Conclusion: Afghanistan’s Rise and What Lies Ahead
Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 cemented Afghanistan’s status as T20 contenders. Their 39-run win, powered by batting depth and spin wizardry, seals the series 2-0. Positives: Middle-order reliability, Mujeeb’s emergence. For WI, fielding and spin handling need work.
Ahead, the dead-rubber third T20I on January 23 offers WI consolation. Afghanistan eyes World Cup glory; WI preps for SA.
What are your thoughts on Afghanistan’s World Cup chances? Share below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026
- What was the result of Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026? Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 Afghanistan won by 39 runs, posting 189/4 before restricting West Indies to 150 in 18.5 overs. This victory gave Afghanistan an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on January 21, 2026.
- Who was the Player of the Match in AFG vs WI 2nd T20I 2026? Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 Mujeeb Ur Rahman was named Player of the Match for his outstanding figures of 4/21, including a historic hat-trick that broke the West Indies middle and lower order.
- How did Mujeeb Ur Rahman take his hat-trick in the Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026? Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 Mujeeb’s hat-trick was spread across two spells: he dismissed Evin Lewis (lbw) and Johnson Charles (bowled) in the 8th over, then returned to dismiss Brandon King (caught) and Quentin Sampson (bowled) in the 15th over, making it the third hat-trick by an Afghan bowler in T20Is.
- What role did Darwish Rasooli play in Afghanistan’s innings during the 2nd T20I 2026? Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 Darwish Rasooli scored a match-defining 68 off 39 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes), marking his third consecutive T20I fifty. His 115-run partnership with Sediqullah Atal helped Afghanistan recover from 37/2 to post 189/4.
- What were the key highlights of Afghanistan vs West Indies highlights 2026 in the 2nd T20I? Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 Standout moments included Rasooli’s 27-ball fifty, Hetmyer’s 17-ball 46 with six sixes, Omarzai’s late surge (19 runs off the final over), and Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s hat-trick that sealed the game.
- How did Afghanistan seal the series vs West Indies in the 2nd T20I 2026? Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 Afghanistan sealed the series with a clinical all-round performance: a strong batting recovery led by Rasooli and Atal, followed by disciplined spin bowling on a turning Dubai pitch that West Indies could not handle, resulting in a 39-run win.
- What was the significance of the Dubai T20I 2026 analysis for both teams? The match highlighted Afghanistan’s growing T20 maturity and spin dominance, serving as ideal World Cup preparation. Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 For West Indies, fielding errors (four dropped catches) and poor handling of spin exposed areas needing urgent improvement.
- Who scored fifties in the Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026? Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 Darwish Rasooli (68 off 39) and Sediqullah Atal (53 off 42) scored fifties for Afghanistan, while Brandon King scored 50 off 41 for West Indies.
- Why did West Indies struggle in the AFG vs WI 2nd T20I match report? Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 West Indies managed only 29/1 in the powerplay, dropped four crucial catches, and collapsed after Shimron Hetmyer’s dismissal, unable to rotate strike effectively against Afghanistan’s spinners (47% dot balls in their innings).
- Where can I find the full match report for Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026? Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 Detailed reports, scorecards, and video highlights are available on ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, and the official Afghanistan Cricket Board YouTube channel, covering everything from Rasooli’s fifty to Mujeeb’s hat-trick.