Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Match Scorecard – Series Results 2026

The Afghanistan vs West Indies T20I series in January 2026 served as a critical warm-up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Afghanistan, led by the returning Rashid Khan, secured a 2-1 series victory. This article provides a complete match scorecard, series results, and key player performances based on official sources.

What happened in the Afghanistan vs West Indies T20I series 2026?

• The series served as preparation for both teams ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
• Afghanistan won the first two matches before West Indies secured a consolation victory in the third T20I.
• Matches were played at night (18:30 local start) under clear skies at the Dubai International Stadium.
• Rashid Khan returned to captain Afghanistan after completing SA20 duties.
• West Indies handed a debut call-up to Quentin Sampson.
• Shamar Joseph and Evin Lewis were recalled to the West Indies squad.
• Naveen-ul-Haq was absent for Afghanistan; no replacement was officially announced.

When and where are the Afghanistan vs West Indies matches being played?

All three T20I matches in the series were held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, UAE. The hours of play were consistent: the first session ran from 18:30 to 20:00 local time, followed by an interval from 20:00 to 20:50, and the second session from 20:50 to 22:20.

The umpiring panel remained the same throughout the series: Ahmed Shah Pakteen and Izatullah Safi (both Afghanistan) stood as on-field umpires, with Akbar Ali (UAE) serving as the third umpire. Hamimullah Hamid (Afghanistan) was the match referee. Afghanistan won the toss in the 3rd T20I and elected to field.

The series did not include an official warm-up match. However, the two sides had previously met in a T20 World Cup warm-up, which Afghanistan won by 23 runs.

Full series schedule

The three-match series took place over four days in Dubai. The 1st T20I started the series on January 19, followed by the 2nd T20I on January 21, and the 3rd T20I concluded the series on January 22, 2026.

How to watch Afghanistan vs West Indies live?

Broadcast and streaming rights for the series varied by region. For viewers in the UAE, matches were available through local sports broadcasters. International viewers should verify availability through their usual cricket streaming platforms. No official broadcaster list was published as part of the series announcement.

Which players performed best in the Afghanistan vs West Indies series?

Top performers across the series

Darwish Rasooli was named Player of the Series for his consistent contributions as a top-order batter for Afghanistan. His partnerships were crucial in setting competitive totals. Shamar Springer of West Indies won the Player of the Match award in the 3rd T20I for his all-round performance.

Azmatullah Omarzai made early breakthroughs for Afghanistan, including the wicket of West Indies captain Brandon King for 11 off 9 balls in the 1st T20I. Rashid Khan contributed with both leadership and all-round play after his return from SA20 duties.

For West Indies, Quentin Sampson made his maiden international call-up and featured in the playing XI. Shamar Joseph and Evin Lewis returned to the squad after previous absences.

1st T20I: Afghanistan won by 38 runs

Afghanistan elected to bat first. The powerplay was strong: they reached 51 runs for 2 wickets in the first 6 overs, with 50 runs coming in 5.4 overs. The 3rd wicket partnership contributed 50 runs. West Indies, in reply, fell short by 38 runs. Brandon King was dismissed by Azmatullah Omarzai.

Playing XI – Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman.

Playing XI – West Indies: Brandon King (c), Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles (wk), Amir Jangoo, Shimron Hetmyer, Quentin Sampson, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales.

2nd T20I: Afghanistan won

Afghanistan batted strongly again, with a powerplay of 54 runs for 2 wickets. They reached 50 runs in 5.4 overs (34 balls, including 6 extras). The score at the drinks break was 85 for 2 wickets. Full details of the West Indies innings remain partial across available sources.

3rd T20I: West Indies won by 13 runs

West Indies batted first and posted 151 runs for 9 wickets in 20 overs (some sources record 151 for 7). Key milestones included the powerplay score of 43 for 1 wicket and drinks at 62 for 2 wickets. Shimron Hetmyer reached 103 runs for 5 wickets at 15.5 overs, and Quentin Sampson helped push the total to 122 for 6 wickets in 17.4 overs.

For Afghanistan, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi took 2 wickets for 45 runs in 4 overs, Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowled 4 overs for 22 runs without taking a wicket, and Shahidullah Kamal took 1 wicket for 13 runs. Afghanistan fell short at 138 for 8 wickets in 20 overs.

What is the head-to-head record between Afghanistan and West Indies in T20Is?

The head-to-head record between Afghanistan and West Indies in T20I cricket is not comprehensively documented in the available series materials. This series added to their existing encounters, with Afghanistan winning 2 of the 3 matches. West Indies, traditionally a strong T20 side, are considered to have a winning record historically, though specific prior match counts were not published alongside the 2026 series announcements.

The series overall reflects a shift in competitiveness, with Afghanistan demonstrating improved batting depth and bowling discipline, particularly in the powerplay overs.

Timeline of the Afghanistan vs West Indies T20I series

1. Pre-series warm-up: Afghanistan defeated West Indies by 23 runs in a T20 World Cup warm-up match. Matthew Forde scored 52 off 25 balls for West Indies.
2. January 19, 2026 – 1st T20I: Afghanistan won by 38 runs at Dubai International Stadium.
3. January 21, 2026 – 2nd T20I: Afghanistan won the second match; full margin details are partial.
4. January 22, 2026 – 3rd T20I: West Indies won by 13 runs. Shamar Springer was named Player of the Match.

What is confirmed and what remains unclear about the series?

Why is this series significant for both teams?

The series formed part of both Afghanistan and West Indies’ preparation for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which was co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. For Afghanistan, the series demonstrated growing batting depth, particularly in the powerplay overs, and highlighted the team’s ability to score competitively against a traditionally strong T20 nation.

For West Indies, the series exposed an inexperienced bowling attack that struggled to contain Afghanistan’s top order. West Indies’ consolation win in the 3rd T20I, powered by Shamar Springer’s all-round performance, showed resilience in a side in transition. The warm-up match also confirmed Afghanistan’s ability to chase moderate totals under pressure.

Where can I find official scorecards and reports?

“Afghanistan 181 for 3, West Indies 143 for 9, Afghanistan win by 38 runs”

Sky Sports – 1st T20I scorecard

“West Indies finish with 159/7 and Afghanistan win by 23 runs; Matthew Forde 52 (25)”

ICC – Warm-up match scorecard

“Powerplay: Overs 0.1 – 6.0 (Mandatory – 29 runs, 1 wicket); West Indies 50 runs in 9.3 overs”

ESPNcricinfo – 2nd T20I scorecard

Summary: What was the outcome of the series?

Afghanistan won the three-match T20I series 2-1, with decisive wins in the first two matches before West Indies claimed a 13-run victory in the finale. Darwish Rasooli was named Player of the Series. The series served as a valuable preparation window ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, highlighting Afghanistan’s batting strength and West Indies’ ongoing transition in their bowling lineup. For more match scorecards, see the Pakistan vs Australia T20I Scorecard: 3-0 Whitewash.

Frequently asked questions about the Afghanistan vs West Indies series