Azmatullah Omarzai’s All-Round Brilliance Propels Afghanistan to Exciting T20 World Cup Win Over UAE
New Delhi, India — In a gripping ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Afghanistan edged past the United Arab Emirates by five wickets thanks to an extraordinary all-round performance from Azmatullah Omarzai. The result marked Afghanistan’s first victory in this year’s tournament and kept their slim hopes of advancing to the Super Eight stage alive.
Omarzai’s Bowling Masterclass Sets Up Victory
Opting to field first after winning the toss, Afghanistan put early pressure on the UAE batting order. Omarzai was outstanding with the ball, finishing with sensational figures of 4 wickets for just 15 runs in his four overs, restricting the UAE to a competitive 160 for 9 in their 20 overs.
His disciplined bowling, combined with strong support from the Afghan bowling lineup, ensured that the UAE total never ran away despite some strong individual performances from their batters.
Omarzai’s bowling highlights:
4 wickets at crucial junctures
Economy rate under 4Â in a high-scoring era
Dismantled key partnerships just as UAE threatened to accelerate
Maintained tight line and length throughout his spell
For the UAE, Sohaib Khan was the chief architect of their innings, top-scoring with a battling 68 runs off 48 balls, which included a mix of sixes and fours that kept his side in the game throughout much of the innings. Alishan Sharafu also contributed a valuable 40 off 31 deliveries, offering momentum in the middle overs as the UAE sought to post a challenging score.
However, Omarzai’s incredible bowling stripped key partnerships and shifted momentum back to Afghanistan. His ability to force mistakes proved decisive, dismantling the UAE batting order at crucial stages. Afghanistan’s bowlers supplemented his efforts well, with Mujeeb Ur Rahman chipping in with two wickets and captain Rashid Khan also contributing to stem the flow of runs.
The Chase: Wobbles, Recovery, and Omarzai’s Final Flourish
When Afghanistan began their chase of 161, the early stages were far from smooth. Rahmanullah Gurbaz departed for a duck in the second over, and Afghanistan found themselves under pressure as wickets fell at regular intervals. At 97 for 4 in the 14th over, the match hung in the balance—and it was here that Omarzai once again rose to the occasion.
Ibrahim Zadran played a key role in stabilizing the Afghan chase with a well-timed 53 off 41 balls, anchoring the innings with several crisp drives and calculated strokes. His partnership with Omarzai was critical, bridging the gap between a shaky start and a challenging finish.
Yet with momentum wavering, it was Omarzai’s unbeaten 40 runs from just 21 balls that ultimately swung the match decisively in Afghanistan’s favor. With a strike rate approaching 190, his late-innings assault provided the decisive impetus the Afghan side needed.
Omarzai’s batting fireworks:
3 towering sixes that cleared the boundary with ease
Quick-fire boundaries that kept the required rate in check
Calm composure under pressure
Strike rotation that frustrated UAE bowlers
The match’s climax was a test of nerves, with Afghanistan needing 11 runs off the final over. Omarzai remained unfazed. Cool and composed, he struck successive boundaries—a six followed by a four—and eventually sealed the win with a crisp cover drive that brought Afghanistan home with four balls to spare.
Match Summary
UAE Innings: 160/9 in 20 overs
Sohaib Khan: 68 (48 balls)
Alishan Sharafu: 40 (31 balls)
Azmatullah Omarzai: 4/15 (4 overs)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman: 2 wickets
Afghanistan Innings: 161/5 in 19.2 overs
Ibrahim Zadran: 53 (41 balls)
Azmatullah Omarzai: 40* (21 balls)
Match-winning partnership in death overs
What the Win Means
The victory has several wider implications for both sides.
For Afghanistan:
Delivers their first points of the 2026 T20 World Cup
Showcases growing resilience in big-match situations
Demonstrates the value of versatile all-rounders like Omarzai
Keeps Super Eight qualification hopes alive mathematically
Boosts team morale after opening losses
Afghanistan’s head coach and captain praised the team’s character after the match, highlighting the importance of all-round contributions in T20 cricket. Omarzai, in particular, drew plaudits from analysts, with several pundits describing it as one of the most impactful all-round displays of the tournament so far.
For the UAE:
Will rue missed opportunities despite spirited batting
Sohaib Khan’s 68 demonstrated their batting potential
Bowling couldn’t defend total despite early breakthroughs
Qualification hopes now severely dented
Lessons to carry forward into remaining matches
Omarzai: The Complete Performance
Omarzai’s contribution across both disciplines deserves special recognition:
With the ball:
4 wickets for 15 runs in 4 overs—figures that would be outstanding in any T20 match, let alone a World Cup encounter against a competitive side.
With the bat:
40 not out off 21 balls at a strike rate of 190, arriving when the match was in the balance and finishing with the composure of a seasoned finisher.
Impact on match outcome:
Directly responsible for restricting UAE’s total and then guiding Afghanistan home under pressure—a truly match-winning all-round display.
Group D Implications
As the T20 World Cup group stage progresses, Afghanistan’s win serves as a vital boost, keeping them in mathematical contention for a place in the Super Eight—a goal that now hinges on:
Results from their remaining fixtures
Other Group D contests and net run rate calculations
Consistent performances from key players
For the UAE, the loss makes qualification significantly harder, though mathematical possibilities remain if other results fall their way.
Looking Ahead
Afghanistan will take enormous confidence from this victory as they prepare for their remaining group matches. The ability to win under pressure—particularly after early wobbles in the chase—demonstrates growth and character.
Key takeaways for Afghanistan moving forward:
Omarzai has established himself as a genuine match-winner
Ibrahim Zadran provides stability at the top
Bowling depth remains their strongest suit
Chasing confidence will benefit future games
Conclusion: A Star Is Born
In a contest defined by its shifts in fortune, Azmatullah Omarzai’s masterclass with both ball and bat will long be remembered as the defining performance that swung the match in Afghanistan’s favor.
Four wickets with the ball. An unbeaten 40 with the bat. Calm under pressure. Decisive when it mattered most.
This is what all-rounders dream of. This is what wins World Cup matches.
Afghanistan’s tournament lives on. The UAE will wonder what might have been. And cricket fans in Delhi witnessed something special—a player announcing himself on the biggest stage.
Omarzai 4/15 and 40*. Afghanistan wins by 5 wickets. Super Eight hopes alive.
