Afghanistan defeats UAE by five wickets in T20 World Cup, Omarzai shines

Afghanistan's national cricket team defeated the United Arab Emirates by five wickets in their third Group Four match of the 2026 T20 World Cup, keeping their qualification hopes alive. Azmatullah Omarzai delivered a standout performance, earning player of the match honors.

Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl first. UAE scored 161 for nine in their 20 overs, with Shehbir Khan top-scoring on 68 off 48 balls. Omarzai took four wickets, Mujib ur Rahman claimed two, and Rashid Khan one.

In reply, Afghanistan reached 162 for five in 19.2 overs. Ibrahim Zadran scored 53 off 41 balls as the highest run-scorer, while Omarzai hit an unbeaten 40 off 21 balls, playing a key role in the chase.

Rashid Khan achieved a milestone by taking his 700th T20 International wicket during the match. He dismissed UAE's Mohammad Irfan with a hit wicket in the 16th over. Khan, who started the game with 699 wickets, had bowled 3.2 overs for 17 runs without success before the wicket. According to Cricinfo, Khan leads the all-time T20I bowling list, ahead of retired Dwayne Bravo's 631 and active player Sunil Narine on 613.

Khan showed little emotion after the wicket, as Afghanistan's advancement to the Super Eight stage depends on beating Canada in their final group game and New Zealand defeating Canada. With this win, Afghanistan earned two points and moved to third in the group.

Prior to the match against South Africa, Khan said: "700 wickets or any achievement continues. I never set a goal to stop at a specific number. When I play for the national team in the World Cup, I always give 100 percent, and whenever the team needs, I take wickets."

Despite a back surgery in 2023 affecting his form, Khan recently took five wickets for 51 runs in 12 overs against the West Indies. In Afghanistan's opening World Cup loss to New Zealand, he took one wicket for 36 runs.