The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 continues with Match 28 as Afghanistan take on the United Arab Emirates in a crucial Group D clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Both teams are fighting to stay alive in the tournament. Afghanistan have lost their first two matches and need a win to keep their hopes alive. UAE, meanwhile, are coming into this game with confidence after a victory in their previous match and will aim to continue their momentum.
This match is important for both sides as they look to finish the group stage strongly.
AFG vs UAE Match Details
| Match Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match | Afghanistan vs UAE – Match 28 |
| Date | Monday, 16 February 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM IST |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
Match Preview
Afghanistan
Afghanistan entered the tournament with high expectations after their strong performance in the previous T20 World Cup. However, they have suffered two losses so far, including a close defeat in a dramatic double Super Over.
The team has shown good performances in patches, especially with the bat. Their biggest strength remains their world-class spin attack featuring Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad.
Key Strengths
- Strong spin bowling unit
- Experienced all-rounders like Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai
- Aggressive top-order batting
Key Concerns
- Inability to finish close matches
- Pressure after back-to-back losses
United Arab Emirates
UAE are coming into this match after a confidence-boosting win over Canada. Captain Muhammad Waseem and players like Alishan Sharafu will be key for their batting.
However, the team’s biggest challenge will be handling Afghanistan’s quality spin attack, which could dominate the middle overs.
Key Strengths
- Momentum from previous win
- Fighting attitude
- Balanced bowling attack
Key Concerns
- Batting depth and consistency
- Limited experience against top-quality spin
Head-to-Head Record
| Teams | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 11 |
| UAE | 3 |
| No Result | 0 |
Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Last 5 Matches |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | W, W, L, L, L |
| UAE | L, L, L, L, W |
Weather & Pitch Report – Delhi
Weather
- Temperature: 26–28°C
- Humidity: 25–30%
- Rain: No rain expected
Pitch Report
- Good batting surface
- Spinners likely to get assistance as the match progresses
- Chasing teams have had more success
Arun Jaitley Stadium – T20I Stats
| Record | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 17 |
| Bat First Wins | 6 |
| Bat Second Wins | 11 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 149 |
| Highest Score | 221/9 |
| Lowest Score | 116 |
Predicted Playing XI
Afghanistan
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Gulbadin Naib
- Sediqullah Atal
- Darwish Rasooli
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan (c)
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Noor Ahmad
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
United Arab Emirates
- Aryansh Sharma (wk)
- Muhammad Waseem (c)
- Alishan Sharafu
- Mayank Kumar
- Harshit Kaushik
- Sohaib Khan
- Muhammad Arfan
- Muhammad Farooq
- Haider Ali
- Junaid Siddique
- Muhammad Jawadullah
Dream11 Fantasy Tips
Small League (Safe Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Aryansh Sharma
- Alishan Sharafu
Grand League (High-Risk Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Rashid Khan
- Muhammad Waseem
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Ibrahim Zadran
AFG vs UAE Dream11 Prediction – Who Will Win?
Afghanistan may not have won a match yet, but they have played against stronger opponents and shown good performances in phases. Their batting has looked solid, and their spin attack is one of the best in the tournament.
UAE are coming with confidence after a win, but their batting lineup could struggle against Afghanistan’s quality spin trio. If Afghanistan bowl well in the middle overs, they should be able to control the game.
Predicted Winner: Afghanistan
Injury Update
| Team | Status |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | No injury updates |
| UAE | No injury updates |
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