Afghanistan secured their first victory of the T20 World Cup on Monday, defeating the United Arab Emirates by five wickets with four balls to spare at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium.
Chasing 161 for victory, Afghanistan reached 162 for 5 in 19.2 overs, sealing the win in their third match of the tournament.
Azmatullah Omarzai delivered a decisive all-round performance, taking 4 wickets for 15 runs in his four overs before returning to strike an unbeaten 40 off 21 balls. His late surge, which included three sixes, steadied Afghanistan after a middle-order wobble.
Earlier, Ibrahim Zadran anchored the chase with 53 off 41 balls, hitting six fours and a six. Darwish Abdul Rasooli added 33 from 23 deliveries, helping rebuild the innings after early setbacks.
Afghanistan’s pursuit began shakily when Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for a duck in the opening over. Gulbadin Naib (13) and Sediqullah Atal (16) made brief contributions, but wickets at regular intervals left the team 97 for 4 in the 14th over.
Rasooli and Omarzai shifted momentum with aggressive stroke play, and despite Rasooli’s dismissal at 140 for 5, Omarzai guided the side home alongside Mohammad Nabi, who remained unbeaten on 3.
Earlier, UAE posted 160 for 9 in their 20 overs. Sohaib Khan led the scoring with 68 off 48 balls, while Alishan Sharafu made 40 from 31 deliveries.
Omarzai set the tone with the ball, claiming four wickets at an economy rate of 3.75. Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 2 for 31, and Rashid Khan added one wicket.
The victory gives Afghanistan their first points of the tournament after losses in their opening two matches, keeping their hopes alive in the group stage.
