🏏 Afghanistan kept their slim Super 8 hopes alive with a five-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates in a Group D match on Monday 134. It was their first victory of the tournament, driven by Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round display: 4-15 with the ball and an unbeaten 40 off 21 in a chase that finished with four balls to spare 134.
The game also brought a milestone for Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan, who became the first player to reach 700 wickets in T20 cricket. His 700th came in unusual fashion — a hit-wicket dismissal 24. In Group D, the result confirmed South Africa’s spot in the Super Eight alongside defending champions India and two-time winners West Indies, while New Zealand (on four points) remained well placed to take the other qualifying place ahead of its final group match against Canada on Tuesday 1.
Sources
- T20 World Cup: Afghanistan beat UAE to keep faint Super 8 hopes alive [dawn.com] (2026-02-16)
- T20 World Cup: Rashid Khan becomes first cricketer to take 700 wickets in T20s [thehindu.com] (2026-02-17)
- T20 World Cup | Omarzai’s all-round show gets Afghanistan off the mark [thehindu.com] (2026-02-16)
- Rashid takes unusual 700th wicket as Afghanistan beat UAE [bbc.com] (2026-02-16)
- T20 World Cup: Rashid Khan takes unusual 700th T20 wicket as Afghanistan beat UAE by five wickets - BBC [google.com] (2026-02-16)
Highlights
- UAE recovery: Sent in to bat, UAE rallied to 160-9, with Sohaib Khan top-scoring with 68 1.
Perspectives
Afghanistan (Rashid Khan, captain): Rashid said the win was a needed lift, adding Afghanistan still had “a little bit of hope” of reaching the next stage and urging the team to play with pride and positivity.
BBC Sport: BBC highlighted the quirky twist to the milestone, calling Rashid’s 700th T20 wicket “unusual” because it came via a hit-wicket dismissal.
The Hindu: The Hindu spotlighted Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round performance as Afghanistan claimed their first win of the tournament and kept their outside qualification chance alive 3.
Performance Statistics
- Afghanistan result: Afghanistan beat UAE by five wickets, completing the chase with four balls left 134.
- Omarzai impact: Azmatullah Omarzai took 4-15 and struck 40* off 21 balls 134.
- UAE total: UAE scored 160-9, led by Sohaib Khan’s 68 1.
- Group D picture: South Africa advanced with six points from three games alongside India and West Indies; New Zealand had four points 1.