Afghanistan face a must-win situation against a confident United Arab Emirates side as both teams meet in a crucial Group-stage clash of the tournament. With qualification scenarios tightening, Match 28 carries significant weight for both sides at opposite ends of momentum.
Match details
Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium
Date: Monday, February 16
Time: 11:00 AM IST, 10:30 AM PST, 5:30 AM GMT
Team overviews
Afghanistan
Afghanistan enter this contest under pressure after suffering defeats in their opening two matches. They began their campaign with a loss against New Zealand and followed it up with a heartbreaking double Super Over defeat to South Africa. Those results have dented confidence, but the side still carries match-winners across departments. Afghanistan now need a strong collective performance to revive their Super Eight hopes and avoid slipping further behind in the standings.
The Afghan batting has shown flashes of quality, especially at the top, but inconsistency in the middle overs has hurt them in key moments. Their bowling attack continues to remain their biggest strength, with multiple spin options capable of controlling the game if the conditions assist.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE approach this match with momentum on their side after registering a vital win over Canada. That victory has placed them third on the points table and firmly in contention for a Super Eight berth. A win against Afghanistan would significantly strengthen their qualification chances and establish them as one of the surprise packages of the tournament.
The UAE have relied on discipline rather than flair. Their batting has focused on building partnerships, while the bowling unit has delivered consistent spells, particularly in the middle overs. Maintaining composure against Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack will remain their primary challenge.
Key players
For Afghanistan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stands out as the key batter. He has already scored 111 runs in two matches and has looked the most assured among the Afghan batters. His ability to provide fast starts will play a decisive role in shaping Afghanistan’s innings. Rashid Khan, leading the side, will again shoulder responsibility with the ball and in tactical decision-making.
For the UAE, much will depend on Junaid Siddique with the ball. His four-over spells have consistently created pressure and wickets. With the bat, captain Muhammad Waseem remains central to the UAE’s plans, especially in anchoring the innings under pressure.
Head-to-head record
Afghanistan and the UAE have faced each other 14 times in T20 internationals. Afghanistan hold a clear advantage with 11 wins, while the UAE have secured three victories. There have been no tied matches or no-results. The first meeting between the sides took place on July 10, 2015, while their most recent encounter came on September 5, 2025.
Pitch report
Recent matches have produced closely fought contests, with batting proving challenging for long periods. Bowlers have enjoyed the surface, particularly when they apply sustained pressure. Similar conditions are expected, making strike rotation and disciplined bowling crucial factors in determining the outcome.
Probable playing XIs
Afghanistan XI:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
United Arab Emirates XI:
Aryansh Sharma (w), Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Mayank Kumar, Sohaib Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah
Probable match scenarios
If Afghanistan bat first, they will aim to post a competitive total by maximizing the powerplay through Gurbaz while allowing their spinners to defend later. If the UAE bat first, expect them to focus on partnerships and push the game deep, relying on their bowlers to apply scoreboard pressure in the second innings.
Live streaming and broadcast
In India, the match will air on JioStar Network Channels and stream live on the JioHotstar app and website. Viewers in Pakistan, the UK, Australia, and other regions can watch the match through official local broadcasters and authorized digital platforms holding ICC media rights, with availability varying by region.
Match prediction
Afghanistan start as favorites on paper due to their superior head-to-head record and stronger bowling resources. However, the UAE’s recent form and confidence make this a far closer contest than past meetings suggest. Afghanistan’s experience should eventually give them the edge, but any lapse in execution could open the door for a UAE upset.