The 1st T20I of the Afghanistan vs West Indies series 2026 will see Afghanistan take on West Indies in Dubai.The match will be played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday night.
With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 just three weeks away, both teams are in the final phase of preparation. Afghanistan will play at a familiar venue, while West Indies look to test their squad in challenging conditions ahead of the mega event.
AFG vs WI Match Details
| Match Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Afghanistan vs West Indies T20I Series 2026 |
| Match | Afghanistan vs West Indies – 1st T20I |
| Date | Monday, 19 January 2026 |
| Time | 8:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
Match Preview
Afghanistan (AFG)
Afghanistan will start this series with confidence and experience on their side.
- Strong spin bowling attack
- Very familiar with Dubai conditions
- Recent form has been impressive
Led by Rashid Khan, Afghanistan have all their key players available. Bowlers like Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman make them extremely dangerous on slow pitches. Their batting unit also looks settled, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran providing stability at the top.
Key Players:
Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi
West Indies (WI)
West Indies are two-time T20 World Champions but come into this series with a slightly experimental squad.
- Brandon King leading the side
- Some senior players unavailable
- Young players getting opportunities
West Indies have struggled in similar conditions recently and even suffered a loss against Nepal. Handling quality spin will be their biggest challenge in this series.
Key Players:
Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Gudakesh Motie
Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| West Indies | 5 |
| Afghanistan | 3 |
| No Result / Tied | 0 |
Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Last 5 Results |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | L, W, W, W, W |
| West Indies | W, L, L, NR, L |
Pitch & Weather Report
Weather
- Temperature: 21–23°C
- Humidity: 38–44%
- Rain Chance: 0%
Pitch – Dubai International Cricket Stadium
- Batting-friendly early on
- Spinners come into play as match progresses
- Chasing teams generally do well
Chasing Teams Winning Percentage: 53%
Dubai International Cricket Stadium – T20I Stats
| Record | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 121 |
| Batting First Wins | 55 |
| Batting Second Wins | 64 |
| Tie / No Result | 2 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 140 |
| Highest Score | 212/2 (IND vs AFG) |
| Lowest Score | 55 all out (WI vs ENG) |
Predicted Playing XI
Afghanistan
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Sediqullah Atal
- Gulbadin Naib
- Darwish Rasooli
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan (C)
- Noor Ahmad
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
West Indies
- Brandon King (C)
- Keacy Carty
- Johnson Charles (WK)
- Alick Athanaze
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Gudakesh Motie
- Justin Greaves
- Matthew Forde
- Khary Pierre
- Shamar Joseph
- Jayden Seales
Dream11 Fantasy Tips
Small League (Safe Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Johnson Charles
- Matthew Forde
- Mohammad Nabi
Grand League (Risky Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Brandon King
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Evin Lewis
Match Prediction – Who Will Win?
Dubai conditions suit Afghanistan perfectly. Their spin-heavy bowling attack gives them a clear advantage, especially against a West Indies side that has struggled against quality spin in similar conditions.
West Indies also have a relatively inexperienced pace unit, while Afghanistan’s bowlers are well-drilled and experienced in these conditions. Overall balance and familiarity with the pitch put Afghanistan ahead.
Predicted Winner: Afghanistan
Injury Update
| Team | Status |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | No injury updates |
| West Indies | No injury updates |
Disclaimer: Fantasy sports involve financial risk and may be addictive. Please play responsibly and only for entertainment purposes.
