New Delhi, Feb 16 (NationPress) Afghanistan’s bowlers, spearheaded by Azmatullah Omarzai’s impressive figures of 4 wickets for 15 runs, effectively curtailed the UAE’s middle-order momentum, preventing them from amassing a formidable total as they held the Gulf side to 160 runs for 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs during the Group D match of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday.

With a slightly damp pitch aiding the bowlers, Omarzai's skillful bowling, showcasing a mix of line and length, dismantled the lower order of the batting lineup. Complementing his efforts, Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed two wickets, while Rashid Khan delivered an economical spell to restrict UAE to a competitive score.

Following early losses, the UAE innings found stability through a solid third-wicket partnership of 84 runs between Alishan Sharafu (40) and Sohaib Khan (68). The pair countered the spin attack with calculated aggression, injecting momentum into the innings.

Sohaib’s knock of 68, his second consecutive fifty at this venue, came off 47 balls and included five boundaries and two sixes. His performance helped the UAE reach 160 despite losing four wickets in the final five overs.

Aryansh Sharma experienced a shaky start, narrowly escaping a caught-behind appeal off the very first ball. However, he was soon dismissed on the fourth delivery of his innings after a similar sequence led to a DRS check confirming his departure.

Muhammad Waseem began strongly, hitting a powerful shot past mid-on followed by a slog sweep that resulted in two quick boundaries. Yet, his promising start was halted as Mujeeb Ur Rahman trapped him lbw, with replays indicating the ball would have clipped the top of the off-stump.

The UAE innings gained momentum in the fourth and fifth overs as Sohaib and Sharafu launched a counter-attack, significantly raising the run rate. Sohaib, in particular, unleashed a barrage of boundaries off Ziaur Rahman, slicing through backward point and pulling over square leg. A no-ball added to Afghanistan's frustrations, allowing the partnership to flourish.

Sharafu found his rhythm against Mujeeb, lofting the ball over the bowler’s head and executing authoritative sweeps. The duo accumulated 28 runs in consecutive overs, propelling UAE to 55 for 2 by the end of the power-play.

Despite a slip in place, Mujeeb and Rashid bowled fuller lengths, allowing batters to score runs. Sohaib Khan punished Noor Ahmad with successive boundaries and a six, while Sharafu also took advantage of Rashid's deliveries.

Even after Sharafu was dismissed by Mujeeb, breaking the promising partnership, Sohaib continued to rotate the strike while Syed Haider announced his presence with a crisp sweep for four and a towering six.

Sohaib reached his fifty with a lofted six, but he soon lost support as Omarzai bowled out Syed Haider and Harshit Kaushik fell for a duck, while Muhammad Arfan was dismissed hit wicket, giving Rashid his 700th T20 wicket.

Sohaib and Haider Ali accelerated towards the end, delivering a series of strokes against Rahman. Sohaib dispatched a short delivery over long leg for six, while Haider glided a short ball past the keeper and followed with a sumptuous drive through cover, accumulating 18 runs off the 18th over.

As Sohaib sliced through the gap at point, he attempted to pull a short ball from Omarzai but was caught in the deep. Haider and Junaid Siddique were run out in the final over, resulting in 46 runs being scored in the last five overs.

Brief Scores: UAE 160/9 in 20 overs (Sohaib Khan 68, Alishan Sharafu 40; Azmatullah Omarzai 4-15, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2-31) against Afghanistan.