Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan will look to keep their Super 8 hopes alive when they take on United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a Group D encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. This match is going to be held on Monday, 16 February at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
The Afghans will be desperate for two points after a heartbreaking double Super Over defeat to South Africa. They also lost their first match to New Zealand. Meanwhile, UAE suffered a 10-wicket defeat to the Black Caps and will be keen to defeat Afghanistan to prove their credentials.
This article covers AFG vs UAE Match 28, including match preview, live streaming details, pitch and weather conditions, head-to-head statistics and key records.
AFG vs UAE Match 28 Preview:
Date and Place:
Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium will host the Group D match between Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates on Monday, February 16.
Squad:
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Umarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (captain), Noor Ahmed, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Fazalhaq Farooqui, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Ishaq, Ziaur Rehman Sharifi, Abdullah Ahmadzai.
United Arab Emirates: Aryansh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Wasim (captain), Alishan Sharafu, Mayank Kumar, Sohaib Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Arfan, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddiqui, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Simranjeet Singh, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Farooq, Syed Haider.
AFG vs UAE Probable XI:
Afghanistan’s playing XI: Rehmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Umarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Shahidullah Kamal, Rashid Khan (captain), Noor Ahmed, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Fazalhaq Farooqui.
UAE playing eleven: Aryansh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Wasim (captain), Alishan Sharafu, Mayank Kumar, Sohaib Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Arfan, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddiqui, Muhammad Rohid Khan.
afg vs uae major battle
Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Junaid Siddiqui
Rahmanullah Gurbaz came into the game in great form after scoring 84 runs off 42 balls against South Africa, showing his intent to dominate the fast bowlers from the start.
UAE fast bowler Junaid Siddiqui can pose a serious challenge in the initial stages. Siddiqui relies on lateral pace to provide early damping and trouble the batsmen. If conditions favor Siddiqui, Gurbaz’s aggressive approach will be tested in the early overs.
Muhammad Wasim vs Fazalhaq Farooqui
Muhammad Wasim is known for his hitting power and holds the record for the second most number of sixes in T20I history with 193 sixes. If he moves quickly then the short boundaries of the Arun Jaitley Stadium can become his strength.
However, Fazalhaq Farooqui has been one of the most effective bowlers of the new ball. He has the ability to swing the ball at fast pace for right-handed batsmen. If Farooqui is able to strike in the initial overs, then UAE’s batting lineup may come under pressure.
Rashid Khan vs Alishan Sharafu
As the Delhi pitch dries up, Rashid Khan is expected to become more dangerous. He understands these conditions very well, he has had success here during the IPL.
UAE’s most reliable middle-order batsman Alishan Sharafu will have to handle Rashid’s sharp leg-breaks and sharp googlies carefully. Rashid’s ability to pick his variations early could decide whether UAE posts a competitive total or suffers a collapse in the middle stages.
AFG vs UAE Key Players:
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, Ibrahim Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqui, Mujeeb Ur Rehman
United Arab Emirates: Muhammad Wasim, Junaid Siddiqui, Alishan Sharafu, Haider Ali
AFG vs UAE Free Live Streaming, Live Telecast in India
TV rights in India: The AFG vs UAE match will be shown live on Star Sports Network, the official broadcaster of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India.
Live Streaming Platforms in India: Fans can watch the match online through the Disney+Hotstar app and website. Free live streaming will be available for users watching on mobile devices.
When will the match happen? The Group D match is scheduled for Monday, February 16, 2026.
Where will the match be played? The match will be held at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
How to watch live telecast of AFG vs UAE match on television? Viewers can watch Star Sports channel to watch the match live on TV.
How to live stream the match between Afghanistan and UAE online on mobile? The match can be live streamed on Jio Hotstar app or website.
AFG vs UAE Match 28 Weather Report, Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report
AFG vs UAE Delhi Weather Report:
The weather is expected to be sunny in Delhi on the morning of 16 February. The temperature will range between 23°C and 27°C during match hours. The opening conditions may provide some swing for the fast bowlers. There is no threat of rain, ensuring full 40 overs play.
AFG vs UAE Delhi Pitch Report:
The surface at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium is traditionally a batsman’s paradise. There is a possibility of some moisture in the beginning, which may help the fast bowlers in the first hour. As the match progresses, the pitch is expected to become completely flat, making batting easier.
AFG vs UAE Head-to-Head Records
| statistics | Matchbox | afg won | uae won | N.R. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| overall | 14 | 11 | 3 | 0 |
| In T20 World Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| last 5 t20i | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
AFG vs UAE head-to-head records: key statistics
Afghanistan and UAE have faced each other 14 times in T20Is. The Afghan team has won 11 matches, while UAE has been successful in winning three matches. Notably, UAE’s most recent win against them came in December 2023.
AFG vs UAE head-to-head records: last five matches
Afghanistan have dominated in recent encounters and have won four of the last five matches. These include a four-run win and a 38-run win during the series played in Sharjah in late 2025.
AFG vs UAE Head-to-Head Records – Last 5 Match Results:
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Afghanistan won by 4 runs in Sharjah on September 5, 2025
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Afghanistan won by 38 runs in Sharjah on September 1, 2025
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Afghanistan won by 4 wickets at Sharjah on 2 January 2024
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UAE won by 11 runs in Sharjah on December 31, 2023
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Afghanistan won by 72 runs in Sharjah on December 29, 2023
AFG vs UAE – Conclusion:
Afghanistan will enter the match as favorites given their world-class spin attack and the form of Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Despite the lack of skill in the bowling department, UAE have the potential to cause an upset.
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