The cricket world turns its attention to Delhi today as Afghanistan face UAE in the 28th Match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
While Afghanistan arrives as clear favorites with their strong T20 record, the UAE brings the spirit of underdogs, ready to upset predictions.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium sets the stage for this Group D battle where Afghanistan’s spin wizards will test the UAE’s batting depth.
With both teams hungry for crucial points, this morning’s clash promises intense competition as the associate nation challenges one of T20 cricket’s rising powers.
AFG vs UAE T20 World Cup Match Details
The action unfolds at Delhi’s premier cricket venue for this important Group D encounter that could shape the tournament standings.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium, formerly known as Feroz Shah Kotla, is one of India’s oldest cricket grounds.
| Details | Aspect |
|---|---|
| Match Number | 28th Match, Group D |
| Date | Monday, February 16, 2026 |
| Time (Local) | 11:00 AM |
| Time (GMT) | 5:30 AM |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
With a capacity of 48,000 fans, the stadium creates an energetic atmosphere. The boundaries stretch between the Stadium End and the Pavilion End, offering a balanced playing field for both teams.
Weather Report
Delhi’s winter morning weather will create comfortable playing conditions for both teams in this early start match.
| Parameter | Forecast Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 18-22°C (Cool and pleasant) |
| Humidity | 45-55% |
| Rain Chance | 5% (Clear skies expected) |
| Wind Speed | 8-12 km/h |
| Cloud Cover | Mostly clear |
The cool Delhi morning offers perfect cricket weather with low humidity levels. Players will enjoy comfortable conditions without the afternoon heat. The clear skies and minimal wind mean uninterrupted cricket is expected. The dew should not be a factor in this morning’s game, giving equal chances to both batting first and chasing teams.
Pitch Report
The Arun Jaitley Stadium pitch is known for supporting spin bowlers while offering decent batting conditions in T20 cricket.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Nature | The surface starts well for batting but slows down as the match goes on. Spin bowlers get help from the dry Delhi pitch. |
| Batting Assistance | The new ball comes on nicely in the first six overs. Stroke-making becomes harder in the middle overs as the pitch grips. |
| Bowling Assistance | Spinners find turn and bounce, especially in the second innings. Fast bowlers need smart variations to succeed here. |
| Boundary Size | Square boundaries measure around 60-65 meters. Straight boundaries extend to approximately 70-75 meters. |
| Ideal First Innings Score | Teams batting first aim for 160-170 on this ground. Scores above 165 put pressure on the chasing team. |
| Toss Impact | Batting first helps teams set targets. The pitch assists spinners more as it wears out during the second innings. |
Afghanistan’s strong spin attack will love the Delhi pitch conditions that typically favor slower bowlers in limited-overs cricket.
Both captains will think carefully about their choice if they win the toss, as the pitch behavior changes throughout the match.
AFG vs UAE Squads
Both nations have picked their best 15-player squads, mixing experienced players with talented youngsters for this World Cup challenge.
Afghanistan Squad
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rashid Khan (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Ishaq, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Abdullah Ahmadzai
United Arab Emirates Squad
Aryansh Sharma (wk), Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Mayank Kumar, Sohaib Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Simranjeet Singh, Dhruv Parashar, Syed Haider
Afghanistan features world-class spinners led by captain Rashid Khan with strong batting options at the top.
UAE brings fighting spirit under Muhammad Waseem’s leadership with players eager to prove themselves on the big stage.
Key Players to Watch
Several talented cricketers from both sides could turn the match with their special skills and match-winning abilities.
Key Batters
| Player | Team | T20I Stats | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | 2,250 runs in 85 matches at an average of 26.47, SR 135.54 | Explosive opener and wicketkeeper who plays aggressive shots from ball one |
| Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan | 1,717 runs in 63 matches at an average of 31.21, SR 122.44 | Steady opening partner who builds innings with smart batting |
| Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan | 2,445 runs in 150 matches at an average of 22.22, SR 136.43 | Experienced all-rounder who finishes innings with powerful hitting |
| Muhammad Waseem | UAE | 3,306 runs in 95 matches at an average of 37.14, SR 150.34 | A captain and opening batter who provides solid starts |
| Alishan Sharafu | UAE | 1,731 runs in 67 matches at an average of 32.05, SR 132.23 | Young talent who plays aggressive cricket in the middle overs |
Key Bowlers
| Player | Team | T20I Stats | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | 190 wickets in 113 matches at an economy rate of 6.05 | World’s best T20 spinner who controls games with leg-spin magic |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Afghanistan | 84 wickets in 63 matches at an economy rate of 6.50 | Mystery spinner who confuses batters with different variations |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Afghanistan | 66 wickets in 54 matches at an economy rate of 7.02 | Left-arm quick who swings the new ball and bowls yorkers |
| Junaid Siddique | UAE | 122 wickets in 88 matches at an economy rate of 7.64 | Fast bowler who uses pace and bounce effectively |
| Muhammad Jawadullah | UAE | 58 wickets in 39 matches at an economy rate of 7.72 | A seam bowler who picks crucial wickets in powerplay overs |
These players have shown their class in international cricket and will be central to their team’s plans today.
Head-to-Head Record
Afghanistan clearly leads the rivalry between these two teams with a strong winning record in their previous T20I meetings.
| Match Format | Total Matches Played | Afghanistan Won | UAE Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 14 | 11 | 3 | 0 |
The United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan have faced each other in 14 matches in T20 cricket. Out of these 14 games, the United Arab Emirates has won 3, whereas Afghanistan has come out victorious on 11 occasions. Afghanistan’s strong spin attack has troubled UAE batters in most encounters.
The three UAE victories came when their batters played spin bowling smartly. Afghanistan enters today’s match with clear confidence from past results. However, T20 cricket can surprise everyone, andthe UAE will hope to add another win to their record.
Live Streaming & Broadcast Details
Cricket fans around the world can watch this exciting match through various broadcasting partners across different regions and platforms.
| Region/Country | Television | Digital/Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| India | Star Sports Network | JioHotstar |
| Pakistan | PTV, Myco | Tamasha, ARY Zapp, Tapmad |
| Afghanistan | Lemar TV | – |
| UAE | CricLife Max (via StarzPlay) | StarzPlay |
| United States | Willow TV | Willow DTC, CricBuzz DTC, Willow YouTube |
| United Kingdom & Ireland | Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event | NOW |
| Sri Lanka | Dialog TV, TV Supreme, PEO TV | ThePapare.com, Dialog Play app |
Indian viewers can enjoy complete coverage on Star Sports Network with expert analysis and commentary in many languages. JioHotstar offers easy streaming for mobile and digital platforms with special camera angles and interactive features for cricket fans.
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Conclusion: Spinners to rule in Delhi
Afghanistan start as strong favorites against the UAE at the Arun Jaitley Stadium with their world-class spin attack perfectly suited to Delhi conditions. The pitch will help Rashid Khan and his spin partners control the game. UAE faces a tough challenge, but it can cause an upset if their batters play spin smartly. Afghanistan should win comfortably, but cricket always leaves room for surprises in the T20 format.
