Afghanistan salvaged some pride in the ongoing Cricket World Cup, securing their first victory after two consecutive defeats in the tournament. The win against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by five wickets has revived their hopes of advancing to the Super Eight stage, giving captain Rashid Khan’s side a much-needed morale boost.
On Monday, 16 February, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Afghanistan lost the toss and were asked to field first. The UAE managed 160 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Shoaib Khan top-scored with 68 runs, while Alishan Sharafu contributed a vital 40 runs. Their opening partnership added 84 runs, setting a competitive total for the Afghan bowlers to chase.
Afghanistan’s bowling performance was spearheaded by Azmatullah Omarzai, who claimed four wickets for just 15 runs in four overs, putting immense pressure on the UAE batsmen. Captain Rashid Khan also made a significant impact with one wicket for 24 runs. A historic moment occurred in the 16th over when Mohammad Afran took a hit wicket, marking his 700th international wicket—making him the first bowler in the world to reach this milestone.
Chasing 163 runs, Afghanistan suffered an early setback with Rahmanullah Gurbaz departing on the second ball. However, Ibrahim Zadran and Omarzai steadied the innings with disciplined batting, guiding their side to a comfortable victory. Zadran scored 53 off 41 balls before being dismissed, while Omarzai remained unbeaten on 40 runs from just 21 deliveries, ensuring the team crossed the finish line with five wickets in hand.
This victory moves Afghanistan to two points from three matches, level with the UAE, who remain on two points despite losing all three of their matches. Meanwhile, New Zealand have four points from three games, and South Africa top the group with six points after three matches. The result also confirms that South Africa’s place in the Super Eight stage is secure.
Match Summary
| Team | Score & Wickets | Top Scorers (Runs) | Best Bowling Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | 160/9 | Shoaib Khan 68, Alishan Sharafu 40 | Azmatullah Omarzai 4/15, Rashid Khan 1/24 |
| Afghanistan | 163/5 | Ibrahim Zadran 53, Omarzai 40* | Rashid Khan 1/24, Mohammad Afran 1 hit wicket (700th career wicket) |
The victory keeps Afghanistan’s World Cup campaign alive, offering hope for a Super Eight qualification if they can maintain their current form in the remaining fixtures. The blend of Rashid Khan’s leadership, Omarzai’s all-round performance, and Zadran’s steady batting has provided the team with a platform to build on in the tournament.