For most of the night, the game drifted Afghanistan&rsquo;s way. The chase stayed calm, and the run rate also stayed decent. Then Shamar Springer walked in with the ball and altered the mood entirely.

Operating in the second last over, Springer played with pace like a switchboard. Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell first, mistiming a pull that never cleared the ring. Rashid Khan followed, rushed and deceived, while Shahidullah was next, undone by a yorker that skidded in low.

That sequence completed the Shamar Springer hat-trick, a burst that drained confidence from the Afghan dressing room and pulled West Indies back from the edge.

<h2>Afghanistan&rsquo;s Control Slips Late</h2>

Gurbaz anchored the chase with patience, absorbing pressure before opening his shoulders. Ibrahim Zadran added support, keeping the required rate steady without risk.

Even after a couple of wickets, the numbers stayed manageable, as twenty-five were needed off twelve balls. Springer&rsquo;s over flipped the script, leaving too much for the final stretch despite a boundary off the last ball.

<h2>West Indies Scrape Together Enough Runs</h2>

West Indies crawled through the opening overs, searching for timing. Johnson Charles battled without fluency, while Nicholas Pooran tried to inject momentum but found Rashid Khan waiting.

Matthew Forde swung freely at the death, lifting the total past 150. At the time, it felt modest. Later, it proved just enough in this <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/west-indies-beat-afghanistan-in-3rd-t20i-by-15-runs/3194-5-0">West Indies vs Afghanistan T20I</a> contest.

Springer&rsquo;s contribution with the bat faded into the background once the wickets arrived.

<h2>Bigger Picture Before the World Cup</h2>

The win levels the emotional ground ahead of upcoming tours and selection calls. Springer now joins elite company in maroon colors with a T20I hat-trick, strengthening his case at the right time.

For Afghanistan, the loss stings, but they still managed to win the series by 2-1. With this victory, the balance in this West Indies vs Afghanistan T20I rivalry looks far less predictable.

Shamar Springer’s late hat-trick flipped the game in Dubai as West Indies edged Afghanistan and blocked a T20I series sweep.

Shamar Springer Hat-Trick Stuns Afghanistan, Saves West Indies From Series Sweep

In the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/afghanistan-vs-west-indies-third-t20i-analysis/3181-2-0">West Indies vs Afghanistan</a> clash, Afghanistan chose to field first. West Indies failed to build momentum following a strong opening from captain Brandon King. King anchored the innings with 47 runs on 35 balls with three sixes, holding the innings together as wickets fell around him. Johnson Charles provided initial backing with 17, and the middle order could not take advantage of the platform.

Keacy Carty and Justin Greaves struggled to rotate the strike, and this gave spinners in Afghanistan an upper hand in maintaining control of the situation in the mid-overs. <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/rashid-khan-named-afghanistan-captain-for-t20-wc-2026/2872-5-0">Rashid Khan</a> made a decisive impact, dismissing King and Shimron Hetmyer while conceding just 13 runs in his four overs. A brief increase in tempo with a fast 13 off half a dozen balls by Hetmyer was momentary, but his dismissal halted West Indies&rsquo; momentum and stopped the pace of West Indies.

West Indies found momentum late through Matthew Forde, who smashed 27 off 11 balls, two fours, two sixes, which gave the innings some life. Shamar Springer also contributed something useful when he added valuable runs at the death with an unbeaten 16, and West Indies scored 151/7 at the close of 20 overs. Afghanistan&rsquo;s disciplined bowling stood out, and Rashid Khan and Abdollah Ahmadzai had two wickets each.

<h2>Despite A Good Start Afghanistan Fell Short&nbsp;</h2>

Chasing 152, Afghanistan began with a lot of confidence as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran established a solid partnership at the start. They carried 72 first-wicket runs, which countered the attack of the West Indies&#39; new ball and maintained a steady scoring rate during the powerplay.

Gurbaz played a defining knock and made 71 out of 58 balls. His shots were based more on patience and not force, continually creating spaces and holding the pursuit in check. Zadran made a consistent contribution of 28 and dropped shortly after drinks, which provided <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/afghanistan-defeat-west-indies-in-second-t20i-match/3178-5-0">Afghanistan</a> with a good foundation.

West Indies clawed back into the game through Shamar Springer, who produced an excellent spell, finishing with four wickets for 20 runs. His strikes removed key batters in quick succession, including Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, and Shahidullah, creating brief tension in the closing overs.

Afghanistan ended with 136/8 at the end of 20 overs. While Afghanistan fell short of the target, their overall performance across the match, especially their bowling dominance in the first innings, proved decisive in sealing the series.

WI beat Afghanistan by 15 runs in the 3rd T20I. Despite this, Afghanistan sealed a 2-1 series victory.

West Indies Beat Afghanistan in 3rd T20I by 15 runs

Afghanistan is gearing up to clean sweep West Indies by winning the 3rd T20I at Dubai. They showcased commanding performances in the last two games, as the Caribbean team failed to find answers against Afghan spinners. The upcoming match gives West Indies an opportunity to correct their mistakes, and come up with a strong performance to challenge the rampant Afghanistan. They have already lost the series, but the pride is still at stake, as enduring a whitewash before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 would be detrimental for their morale.&nbsp;&nbsp;

During the last two matches, the difference between the two teams has been clear. Afghanistan has showcased a more composed batting performance in the middle, whereas West Indies has lacked stability in the middle order. It is one of those things the Caribbean team needs to sort out before the next match, otherwise, Afghanistan will come hard at them to secure a 3-0 series win.

In this article, we will review the upcoming Afghanistan vs West Indies T20I match in detail. We will take a look at the strategies of both teams, as that will let us know what type of plans they could use in the field to secure victory. Let&rsquo;s first take a quick look back at what happened in the last match between Afghanistan and West Indies in Dubai.

<h2>A Quick Recap of Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I</h2>

The <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/afghanistan-vs-west-indies-2nd-t20i-2026-match-preview-and-analysis/3154-2-0">2nd T20I</a> match between Afghanistan and West Indies proved to be a one-sided contest, as Afghans dominated the game in both innings. They batted well in the first innings, courtesy of some strong performances by Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli. Both players smashed stunning fifties that allowed Afghanistan to post a huge total of 189 on the board. The knock of Rasooli was especially impressive, as he scored 68 of just 39 balls, hitting 5 fours and 3 sixes.

In the second innings, the Afghanistan bowlers came up with a set plan against the struggling West Indies batters. Mujeeb Ur Rahman turned out to be their star performer, as he picked 4 wickets in the second innings to dismantle the West Indies top and middle order. As a result, Afghanistan gained an upper hand over the Caribbean team, which allowed them to <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/afghanistan-defeat-west-indies-in-second-t20i-match/3178-5-0">win</a> the match by 39 runs.

<h2>Match Strategy of Afghanistan for 3rd T20I</h2>

Afghanistan will march to the field with plenty of confidence, as they have already won the T20I series. Their batters have performed well in the last two matches, so a strong performance would be expected from them in the next game as well. It is certainly the core strategy of Afghanistan to bat big in the first innings. They try to keep the wickets in hand during the middle overs, as that allows the batters to lay a strong foundation for the later part of the innings. They would once again try to dominate the game with the same strategy, as it worked well for them in the last two matches.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the bowling department, Afghanistan will rely on its spin duo of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Both players have the ability to take quick wickets at any stage of the game. Their spin attack caused significant trouble for the West Indies in the previous matches, so the strategy for winning the 3rd T20I is likely to remain the same. In addition, Afghanistan&rsquo;s opening pace attack will be equally important, as Fazalhaq Farooqi has a tendency to pick early wickets in the Powerplay. By following this comprehensive bowling plan, Afghanistan would once again aim to dominate West Indies to win the last contest of the series.

<h2>Key Players for Afghanistan</h2>

<h3>Rashid Khan</h3>

Rashid Khan is the superstar of Afghanistan who can win matches singlehandedly. He has performed decently in the ongoing series, so the team will need his bowling magic again in the last match. Rashid usually bowls in the middle overs, giving Afghanistan a firm control over the scoring rate. In the 2nd T20I, he picked up one wicket while conceding just 19 runs in four overs. This shows the impact of Rashid Khan, as how smartly he held the scoring rate of West Indies by bowling economical overs. A similar type of performance would be needed from him in the upcoming match which will be played at the same venue on January 22.

<h3>Rahmanullah Gurbaz</h3>

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is a key batter in the Afghanistan opening lineup. He is an aggressive player who likes to take on bowlers early in the Powerplay. Unfortunately, his performances in the last two matches were not up to the expectations. Considering his importance for ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the team needs him to fire in this match. Technically, he would take the field with lesser pressure, as Afghanistan has already won the series. This presents Gurbaz an exciting opportunity to play with freedom from the start of the innings. He is undoubtedly a quality performer, who can play a match-winning role for Afghanistan in the 3rd T20I.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>Match Strategy of West Indies for 3rd T20I</h2>

West Indies need to find a lot of answers before the start of 3rd T20I. They have looked uncomfortable against Afghanistan&rsquo;s spin attack in the last two matches, which is certainly a big problem for them. Despite getting promising starts, their batters have failed to negate the attack of Afghanistan spinners who have bowled with top accuracy in the previous matches. To win the next match, West Indies need to come up with a renewed strategy to counter the spin attack. It is important for them because they will face plenty of spin in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup that will be played in India and Sri Lanka.

As far as bowling is concerned, West Indies have a good attack that can trouble the Afghanistan batters. They just need to make sure to keep the pressure on Afghans for a long period of time. In the previous matches, West Indies bowled well at the start of the innings, but eventually lost the plot during the middle overs. This is something they need to fix before the next game, as bowlers like Matthew Forde and Gudakesh Motie have the ability to exert pressure on Afghans in the middle overs.

<h2>Key Players for West Indies</h2>

<h3>Evin Lewis</h3>

Evin Lewis is a batter who can thrash the Afghanistan bowling lineup from the start of the innings. His performances in the last two matches have been disappointing, but that does not rule out his threat in the next game. He is a serious striker who can hit big boundaries at will. This makes him a vital asset for West Indies up the order, as his runs usually set the pace of the innings. Keeping that in view, Lewis needs to take control from the start to put pressure on the Afghanistan bowling attack. His striking in the Powerplay would be important, as it will give West Indies a strong impetus to post a big total.

<h3>Gudakesh Motie</h3>

Gudakesh Motie is an experienced cricketer who understands how to bowl in different stages of the game. Being a spinner, the conditions in the UAE are suitable for him, which is why he is an important asset for West Indies. The team expects him to play a lead role in the middle overs, just like Rashid Khan does for the Afghanistan team. There is no doubt that Motie has the ability to trouble Afghanistan batters, so he will remain the key attack bowler for West Indies in the next match.

<h2>Probable Playing XI for Afghanistan</h2>

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi

<h2>Probable Playing XI for West Indies</h2>

Brandon King (c), Alick Athanaze, Johnson Charles (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Quentin Sampson, Matthew Forde, Khary Pierre, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Ramon Simmonds

<h2>Final Words</h2>

The upcoming match between Afghanistan vs West Indies promises to be highly competitive, as both teams will look to secure victory by playing hard cricket. Afghanistan will aim to win the match to complete the series sweep, whereas West Indies will try to salvage its pride by ending the series on a high. Considering this, both teams will come up with diverse strategies to win the game, as testing the performances of various players ahead of the T20 World Cup remains a key objective for both sides.

Afghanistan and West Indies will come head to head against each other in the 3rd T20I at Dubai. Both teams are looking to win the match to end the series on a high.

Afghanistan vs West Indies 3rd T20I Full Match Analysis

Afghanistan defeated West Indies in the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/afghanistan-vs-west-indies-2nd-t20i-2026-match-preview-and-analysis/3154-2-0">2nd T20I</a> by 39 runs to gain an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the series. A collective performance by Afghanistan superstars handed West Indies their second consecutive defeat in the series. They looked out of answers against the rampant Afghanistan team in both innings, as Shimron Hetmyer remained their only notable player who displayed some fight in the chase.

Batting first, Afghanistan didn&rsquo;t have a great start, as they lost both openers early in the Powerplay. After their dismissal, Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli played steadily and formed a big partnership to take the innings forward. They made sure to keep wickets in hand, so that a strong batting foundation could be laid in the first innings.

The knock of Darwish Rasooli was especially impressive, as he started to hit boundaries after getting set at the crease. He was looking good to score a century, but was eventually dismissed by Ramon Simmonds for 68 runs.

His partner at the other end, Sediqullah Atal, also scored a valuable fifty, but was dismissed after that by Matthew Forde. A short cameo by Azmatullah Omarzai in the final overs then lifted the Afghanistan scoring rate. He scored quick 26 off 13 balls to give Afghanistan a huge total of 189 on the board.

The chase of West Indies in the second innings started on a lower note. After losing Alick Athanaze early, Brandon King and Evin Lewis made a steady partnership to take the innings forward. Unfortunately, they couldn&rsquo;t bat long, as Mujeeb Ur Rahman came up with a stunning spell to take back-to-back wickets.

After these wickets, Shimron Hetmyer came in at number 5 and changed the momentum of the WI innings. His positive batting transferred the pressure again on Afghanistan bowlers, but a fine delivery by Fazalhaq Farooqi sent him back to the pavilion. He got out after playing an exceptional knock of 46 runs, smashing a four and 6 huge sixes.

Soon after that, Brandon King also lost his wicket and the batting of West Indies quickly folded for 150 runs. Due to such disappointing batting, they lost another match and handed Afghanistan an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the series.

Afghanistan defeated West Indies in the 2nd T20I by 39 runs. By winning the game, they have sealed the T20I series with an unassailable lead of 2-0.

Mujeeb, Rasooli Star in Afghanistan’s 2nd T20I Victory Over West Indies

The second encounter between Afghanistan and West Indies is set to be an interesting match under the lights in Dubai. Afghanistan comes into the match with a winning streak and will want to continue it. West Indies, though, need a bounce back following a series of losses, which have cast doubt on their consistency and performance.&nbsp;

The recent form of Afghanistan represents a team that has become confident, disciplined, and with defined roles. West Indies possesses a potential for explosiveness, yet has been unable to put together performance after performance. The contrasting momentum makes this encounter interesting.

<h2>Match Details</h2>

<ul>
	<li>Match: Afghanistan vs West Indies, 2nd T20I</li>
	<li>Date: Wednesday, 21 January 2026</li>
	<li>Time: 7:30 PM local time</li>
	<li>Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium</li>
</ul>

<h2>Recent Performance Analysis</h2>

<h3>Afghanistan Recent Form</h3>

Afghanistan enters the AFG vs WI 2nd T20I with outstanding momentum. Afghanistan has won the last five matches, with the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/afghanistan-defeat-west-indies-in-1st-t20i-match/3141-5-0">first T20I</a> of this series being won by a massive 38 runs. That performance underscored their balance, with strong batting where Ibrahim Zadran (87 off 56 balls) and Darwish Rasooli (84 off 59 balls) played stunning knocks to make Afghanistan win this match easily.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Before this series, Afghanistan defeated Qatar and Zimbabwe, demonstrating uniformity in circumstances and resistance. This run is based on their capacity to defend and pursue patience at a slow pace. It is a high-confidence team that seems to have established roles in the squad.

The streak places Afghanistan in a strong position heading into the second game, where they have an opportunity to create a dominant advantage.

<h3>West Indies Recent Form</h3>

West Indies enters the game on the back of four straight losses in the last five games; they have finished with no result against New Zealand, being the only exception. Their last loss was in the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/afghanistan-vs-west-indies-1st-t20i-2026-match-preview-prediction/3133-2-0">first T20I</a> against Afghanistan.

West Indies had a hard time against New Zealand prior to this series and had lost several close matches that highlighted areas of weakness in batting depth and bowling discipline. Despite flash performances, the team has not been able to turn individual performances into wins.

The AFG vs WI 2nd T20I provides West Indies with an opportunity to end their downward spiral and restore self-esteem.

<h2>Head-to-Head Record</h2>

The latest games have been characterized by competition. During the past five matches, Afghanistan have won three matches, and West Indies have won 2 matches. The last confrontation was on 19 January 2026, where Afghanistan won by 38 runs, which gave them a psychological advantage.

There have been previous experiences that have gone both ways. In June 2024, West Indies won by 104 runs, and in November 2019, Afghanistan won two consecutive matches and lost one. Neither side can be taken lightly, and momentum often decides these contests when they clash.

<h2>Batters to Watch</h2>

Batting performances are likely to define the outcome of the Afghanistan vs West Indies contest, especially on a surface that rewards patience early and power later.

<h3>Afghanistan Batters</h3>

Ibrahim Zadran has been a key pillar of Afghanistan. He grounds innings as he turns strike, giving his teammates freedom to play. His strong average and steady run-scoring come in at the top.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz makes it more aggressive and fast. With an attacking powerplay, he is capable of shifting momentum within a short period when in rhythm. Afghanistan counted on him to put early pressure and take advantage of fielding restrictions.

<h3>West Indies Batters</h3>

Alick Athanaze has shown glimpses of class and composure. His consistency is still a problem, but his pace and spin give him a strong top-order selection.

Amir Jangoo has brought some light to the recent matches. His strong average shows effect in a few matches, and West Indies are hoping that he will achieve his prospects in this match.

Batters to Watch &ndash; Recent Stats

<table cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse:collapse; width:532px">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:151px">
			Batter
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			Team
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:73px">
			Matches
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:51px">
			Runs
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:71px">
			Average
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			Strike Rate
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:151px">
			Ibrahim Zadran
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			Afghanistan
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:73px">
			9
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:51px">
			345
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:71px">
			49.29
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			122.77
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:151px">
			Rahmanullah Gurbaz
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			Afghanistan
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:73px">
			9
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:51px">
			278
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:71px">
			30.89
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			148.66
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:151px">
			Alick Athanaze
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			West Indies
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:73px">
			8
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:51px">
			189
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:71px">
			23.63
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			128.57
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:151px">
			Amir Jangoo
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			West Indies
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:73px">
			5
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:51px">
			128
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:71px">
			42.67
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			129.29
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Bowlers to Watch</h2>

Bowling control will be vital in the AFG vs WI 2nd T20I, particularly in the middle overs and at the death.

<h3>Afghanistan Bowlers</h3>

<a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/rashid-khan-named-afghanistan-captain-for-t20-wc-2026/2872-5-0">Rashid Khan</a> is Afghanistan&rsquo;s biggest weapon. He is a constant threat due to his rate of economy and wicket-taking, especially on slow surfaces. He tends to change the games with his experience in pressure situations.

This variety is provided by Mujeeb Ur Rahman and his new-ball and middle-over bowling. He restricts the scoring and also pressurizes the opponent, complementing the attacking type of game Rashid plays and putting pressure on opponents.

<h3>West Indies Bowlers</h3>

Jayden Seales is at the forefront of the attack by the West Indies. He attracts bounce and movement, troubling the upper-order batters, but is still difficult to be consistent.

Matthew Forde is the one who adds stability and change. His economy indicates that he is able to restrain the runs, and the West Indies are able to look at him to make a breakthrough at a critical time.

Bowlers to Watch &ndash; Recent Stats

<table cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse:collapse; width:550px">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			Bowler
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			Team
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:73px">
			Matches
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:70px">
			Wickets
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:79px">
			Economy
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			Strike Rate
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			Rashid Khan
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			Afghanistan
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:73px">
			8
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:70px">
			13
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:79px">
			5.17
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			13.38
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			Mujeeb Ur Rahman
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			Afghanistan
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:73px">
			7
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:70px">
			13
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:79px">
			7.16
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			12.30
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			Jayden Seales
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			West Indies
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:73px">
			6
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:70px">
			7
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:79px">
			9.83
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			19.71
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			Matthew Forde
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			West Indies
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:73px">
			5
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:70px">
			5
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:79px">
			7.21
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:93px">
			22.80
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Squad Depth and Balance</h2>

Afghanistan still demonstrates a good balance. The team combinations are made flexible with experienced all-rounders Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib. Their bowling department, which includes Rashid Khan, Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, and Noor Ahmad provides all-round efforts.

The batting of Afghanistan is a combination of stability and aggression. Ibrahim Zadran anchors, whereas Gurbaz and Darwish Rasooli add intent, which allows the team to adjust to suit any situation.

West Indies are deep yet lacking in consistency. The team has strong hitters, all-rounders, and a diverse bowling attack, and it is hard to combine personal performances to create consistent team performances.

West Indies&#39; leadership and experience of Shimron Hetmyer and leadership of Brandon King are vital in regrouping and refining West Indies plans.

<h2>Tactical Battle Points</h2>

Afghanistan will exercise early pressure through disciplined bowling and controlled starts. They will try to build partnerships and control the middle overs with spin.

West Indies needs to address premature failures and enhance strike rotation. They need sharp fielding and improved death-over execution to counter the momentum of Afghanistan.

<h2>Match Prediction and Outlook</h2>

The Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I carries significant weight in the context of the Afghanistan-West Indies T20 series 2026. The form, confidence, and recent success of the head-to-head give Afghanistan an advantage. West Indies possess the ability to bounce back if they have plans that are well laid and disciplined.

Key moments with the bat and ball may determine this match. Look forward to a tough battle in which the ability to adjust and composure in the face of adversity will rule the day as both teams play hard towards a vital result.

Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I match preview with team form, head-to-head record, key players, squad analysis, and what to expect in the Afghanistan West Indies T20 series 2026.

Afghanistan vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 Match Preview & Analysis

Afghanistan defeated West Indies in a commanding fashion, thanks to quality batting performances by Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli. The duo put together a big partnership in the first innings, allowing Afghanistan to post a total of 181. The Afghans then backed it up with a clinical bowling display in the second innings, restricting the West Indies to just 143 runs. As a result, they won the match by 38 runs and took a 1-0 lead in the T20I series.

Batting first, Afghanistan started the innings poorly, as Rahmanullah Gurbaz got out on the first ball of the innings. Soon after him, Sediqullah Atal also lost his wicket for just 2 runs. This brought a lot of pressure on the Afghanistan lineup, however, the arrival of Darwish Rasooli at number three brought calmness to the batting.

Both Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli batted sensibly according to the situation to take the innings forward. Their counterattack unsettled the West Indies bowlers who looked clueless in the middle overs. By taking them on continuously, Zadran and Rasooli smashed stunning fifties and took the batting deep into the innings.

After scoring 84 runs, Darwish Rasooli lost his wickets on the last ball of the match. His partner, Ibrahim Zadran remained unbeaten, as his stunning knock of 87 runs allowed Afghanistan to post 181 at the end of the innings.

The reply of West Indies in the second innings was quite disappointing. They looked uncomfortable against Afghanistan bowlers from the start of the innings. The top order of West Indies was removed quickly, whereas the middle order also didn&rsquo;t put up any fight.

Quentin Sampson and Matthew Forde then built a small partnership to take the chase forward. Due to the rising scoreboard pressure, they also lost their wickets towards the end, giving Afghanistan an upper hand in the match.

The tailenders of West Indies didn&rsquo;t showcase any fight and were sent back to the pavilion quickly. As a result, Afghanistan restricted West Indies to just 143 and won the match by 38 runs. Darwish Rasooli was named Player of the Match, as his vital knock in the first innings proved decisive for Afghanistan to secure victory.

Afghanistan registered a comfortable victory over West Indies in the 1st T20I match. They successfully defended the total and won the match by 38 runs.

Afghanistan Defeats West Indies by a Big Margin of 38 Runs

Afghanistan had a poor start to their innings despite winning the toss. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was run out for a duck on the first ball. <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/ibrahim-zadran-sediqullah-atal-half-centuries-propel-afghanistan-to-188/1308-2-0">Sediqullah Atal</a> was also dismissed just for 2 runs, caught by Jayden Seales, leaving Afghanistan at 19/2.

Though there was pressure at the beginning, 51 runs were made in the power play, which was a demonstration of an intention, but prevented further setbacks to Afghanistan.

<h2>Zadran and Rasooli Take Over</h2>

The turning point of the match was the partnership between Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli. They steadily rebuild the innings and increase the scoring rate during the middle overs. By the midway mark, the score was Afghanistan 81 for 2, and they were in control.

<a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/afghanistan-score-1695-atal-and-zadran-hit-fifties-faheem-ashraf-takes-4-wickets/1328-2-0">Zadran</a> scored his half-century in 37 balls and anchored the innings. Rasooli played a supporting role with fifty in 36 balls and timed boundaries. They both contributed 162 runs for the third wicket to counter the West Indies bowlers.

<h2>Late Surge Propels Afghanistan Beyond 180</h2>

Afghanistan gained momentum in the last overs, passing 150 by the 18th over. On the final ball, Rasooli was dismissed with a good 84, and caught by Shimron Hetmyer, but Zadran was still unbeaten.

Zadran finished unbeaten on 87 off 56 balls with eight fours and three sixes, and Afghanistan scored 181/3 in 20 overs at a rate of 9.05.

For the West Indies, Jayden Seales and Matthew Forde had one wicket each, with Gudakesh Motie impressing with an economical spell, giving only 18 runs in four overs.

WI vs AFG 1st T20I first-innings report as Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli power Afghanistan to 181.

WI vs AFG 1st T20I: Afghanistan Post 181 Against WI

Complete Afghanistan vs West Indies 1st T20I 2026 match preview with team form, player stats, head-to-head records, and expert analysis of this exciting T20 clash.

Afghanistan vs West Indies 1st T20I 2026 - Match Preview & Predictions

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Afghanistan vs West Indies 2026

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