As the road to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 begins in earnest, Afghanistan and the West Indies face off in a high-stakes three-match T20I series in the UAE. With the global tournament just weeks away, this opening encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium serves as a vital dress rehearsal for two of the most explosive sides in the shortest format.
Both teams arrive in the UAE with a point to prove. Afghanistan, led by the indomitable Rashid Khan, have named a full-strength squad that mirrors their World Cup roster. The return of Naveen-ul-Haq and Gulbadin Naib bolsters an already formidable bowling attack, while young sensation Sediqullah Atal looks to cement his spot at the top of the order alongside the explosive Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
The West Indies, under the leadership of Brandon King, are testing their bench strength and tactical flexibility. While big names like Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell are absent for this specific series, the squad remains dangerous. Shimron Hetmyer returns to the fold in peak form, fresh from a dominant franchise season, and pace sensation Shamar Joseph is expected to lead a hungry, youthful bowling unit.
AFG vs WI, 1st T20I: Match Details
- Date and Time: January 19; 8:00 pm IST / 2:30 am GMT / 6:30 pm Local
- Venue: Dubai international cricket stadium, Dubai
AFG vs WI Head-to-Head Record in T20Is
Matches played: 08 | Afghanistan won: 03 | West Indies won: 05 | No result/Tied: 00
Dubai International Cricket Stadium Pitch report
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is expected to offer its signature balanced surface, providing a competitive contest between bat and ball. During the initial overs, the new ball often finds seam movement and extra bounce, making the Powerplay a critical phase for the openers to survive. As the game progresses, the pitch tends to settle, allowing batters to play their shots freely through the line. However, the mid-January evening dew will be a defining factor; as the outfield becomes slick, spinners may struggle for grip, significantly favouring the side batting second. Consequently, the captain winning the toss will likely opt to bowl first to take advantage of the easier chasing conditions.
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Squads
Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Shahidullah Kamal, Abdollah Ahmadzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad and Ziaur Rahman.
West Indies: Brandon King (c), Johnson Charles (wk), Amir Jangoo (wk), Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Quentin Sampson, Justin Greaves, Khary Pierre, Shamar Springer, Matthew Forde, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales and Ramon Simmonds.
AFG vs WI, 1st T20I: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Afghanistan wins the toss and bowls first
- West Indies’ powerplay score: 50-60
- West Indies’ total score: 180-190
Case 2:
- West Indies wins the toss and bowls first
- Afghanistan’s powerplay score: 60-70
- Afghanistan’s total score: 190-200
Match result: Team bowling first to win the match.
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