AFG vs WI 1st T20I: Afghanistan Secure 38-Run Victory Over West Indies

Afghanistan secured a commanding 38-run victory over West Indies in the first T20I at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on January 19, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Ibrahim Zadran’s unbeaten 87 and Darwish Rasooli’s 84 powered Afghanistan to 181/3 before their spinners dismantled West Indies for 143/9.

Match Overview

Afghanistan decided to bat first after winning the toss and put up a strong score of 181/3 in their 20 overs. West Indies had a hard time dealing with Afghanistan’s spin bowlers and managed to score 143/9, ending up 38 runs behind the target.

​Key Highlights

Afghanistan Batting:

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz run out on the first ball (0 off 1)
• Ibrahim Zadran 87* off 56 balls (8×4, 3×6)
• Darwish Rasooli 84 off 59 balls (8×4, 2×6)
• Record 162-run partnership for the third wicket

West Indies Chase:

• Lost 3 wickets inside powerplay (42/3 after 5.2 overs)
• Brandon King dismissed for 5
• ​Johnson Charles 27 off 16 balls (3×4, 2×6)
• ​Quentin Sampson top-scored with 30 off 24 balls on T20I debut
• ​Matthew Forde 28 off 25 balls
• ​Gudakesh Motie 27 off 15 balls (2×6)

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Afghanistan Innings Breakdown

Afghanistan recovered from early setbacks to post a challenging total. After Gurbaz’s first-ball dismissal and Sediqullah Atal’s departure for 2, Zadran and Rasooli forged a match-winning partnership.

Fall of Wickets: 0/1 (0.1 overs), 19/2 (2.2 overs), 181/3 (19.6 overs)

Zadran reached his fifty off 37 balls, while Rasooli notched his half-century off 36 deliveries. The duo accelerated in the death overs, plundering 70 runs in the final six overs. West Indies dropped at least three catches during this phase.

https://x.com/ACBofficials/status/2013327332027592987?s=20

West Indies Innings Breakdown

West Indies’ chase never gained momentum as Afghanistan’s spinners maintained relentless pressure. The early wickets in the power play effectively ended the contest.

Fall of Wickets: 5/1 (0.4 overs), 38/2 (4.5 overs), 42/3 (5.2 overs), 47/4 (6.5 overs), 50/5 (7.5 overs), 95/6 (14.2 overs), 127/7 (17.4 overs), 133/8 (17.6 overs), 140/9 (19.3 overs)

West Indies were reeling at 57/5 after 10 overs. Sampson and Forde attempted a late counter-attack with some big hits, adding 45 runs for the sixth wicket. Motie provided late fireworks with two sixes in his 15-ball cameo.​

Bowling Breakdown

Afghanistan’s spin attack dominated proceedings on a Dubai surface that assisted slower bowlers.

West Indies’ bowling attack struggled with discipline and control.

Match Turning Points AFG vs WI 1st T20I

Gudakesh Motie’s direct-hit run-out of Gurbaz on the first ball stunned Afghanistan. Brandon King pulled off a spectacular one-handed catch at first slip to dismiss Sediqullah Atal in the third over, leaving Afghanistan at 19/2.

The Zadran-Rasooli partnership changed the match complexion. The duo paced their innings brilliantly on a two-paced surface, adding 162 runs off 113 balls. Their partnership broke through the West Indies bowling and dropped catches.

Rashid Khan‘s introduction after the power play proved decisive. Bowling a tight line outside off with a quick trajectory, he dismissed Shimron Hetmyer off a slog sweep. His spell of 2/19 from four overs broke the backbone of the West Indies’ chase. Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in the powerplay, clean bowling Brandon King in the first over and trapping Johnson Charles lbw while attempting a switch hit.

West Indies slipped to 5-50 in the ninth over after Rashid removed Hetmyer and Amir Jangoo in successive overs. Ziaur Rahman, despite conceding 16 runs off his first four balls, claimed two wickets in his return spell to finish with 3/36.

Records and Milestones

Ibrahim Zadran now holds the record for most fifty-plus scores in T20Is for Afghanistan with 14, breaking Mohammad Shahzad’s previous mark. The knock was Zadran’s fourth consecutive T20I half-century and a career-best in the format.

The 162-run partnership between Zadran and Rasooli is Afghanistan’s highest for the third wicket in T20Is, surpassing the previous record of 116 between Asghar Afghan and Hazratullah Zazai. The stand is also the second-highest partnership for Afghanistan in T20Is overall.

Player of the Match

Darwish Rasooli grabbed the Player of the Match award after smashing an excellent 84 runs from 59 balls. Afghanistan struggled at 19/2, but Rasooli entered the game and formed a crucial partnership with Zadran, helping his team post a solid score. 

He hit eight boundaries and two sixes during his innings. One standout moment came in the 15th over against Khary Pierre, where he hit a four followed by a six, and finished with another four in quick time. 

Rasooli also shone in the field and took three spectacular catches. While Zadran anchored the innings, Rasooli took charge with bold and attacking gameplay.

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Upcoming Match

Afghanistan will play against the West Indies in the second T20I on January 21, 2026. They will compete at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Afghanistan holds a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Both teams want to get ready for the T20 World Cup 2026, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka between February and March 2026. Afghanistan falls into Pool D, alongside New Zealand, South Africa, the  UAE, and Canada. 

On the other hand, the West Indies, the only team to win the T20 World Cup twice in 2012 and 2016, hope to recover after some up-and-down performances in their recent T20 games.

Stay updated with Ibrahim Zadran’s centuries, Rashid Khan’s wickets and Afghanistan cricket milestones on Jeetwin Creatives.

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