The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi sets the stage for a high-stakes Group D confrontation where Afghanistan’s tournament survival hangs by the thinnest of threads. Two agonizing losses; a five-wicket defeat to New Zealand followed by a heartbreaking second Super Over loss to South Africa have left the 2024 semi-finalists teetering on the brink of elimination. Another defeat here ends their World Cup journey. UAE, meanwhile, have rediscovered their footing after a crushing opening loss to New Zealand, bouncing back with a confident five-wicket victory over Canada. The mathematics are brutal for Afghanistan: win and stay alive; lose and go home. For UAE, a victory would catapult them into genuine Super 8 contention. History heavily favors the Afghans, they’ve won four of the last five meetings, including two in two last year. But on a Delhi surface offering runs and under the weight of must-win pressure, form guides can be dangerously misleading.
Afghanistan vs United Arab Emirates Win Probability
RCBW vs DCW Batting Tips
AFG vs UAE, Group D T20 World Cup 2026 28th Match Details
| Match | ICC T20 World Cup 2026, 28th Match, Group D |
| Date | Monday, February 16, 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM (IST) |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Live Streaming (TV) | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming (Mobile) | JioHotstar |
AFG vs UAE Team Form – Who Will Win Today’s Match?
Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s form is misleading (L, L, W, W, L) two losses to top-tier opposition don’t tell the full story. Their key strength is individual brilliance. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is in transcendent form (111 runs in two matches, strike rate 173.43), including a breathtaking 84 off 42 against South Africa. Gulbadin Naib (63 runs, SR 170) has provided support. The bowling attack, led by Azmatullah Omarzai (4 wickets) and Rashid Khan, remains world-class. The psychological edge is desperation; they know this is their last chance.
UAE
UAE’s form is mixed (W, L, L, L, L), with a confidence-boosting win over Canada. Their key strength is Junaid Siddique, who produced a stunning 5/25 in the last outing. Aryansh Sharma (82 runs in two matches, SR 140) and captain Muhammad Waseem (66* vs NZ) provide batting stability. The realistic objective is to target Afghanistan’s vulnerable top order early and hope their spinners can contain on a helpful surface. The key challenge is the massive step up in class from Canada to Afghanistan.
AFG vs UAE Probable Playing XI
Afghanistan Probable XI-
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (C), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
UAE Probable XI-
Aryansh Sharma (WK), Muhammad Waseem (C), Alishan Sharafu, Mayank Kumar, Sohaib Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah.
AFG vs UAE Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 Matches)
| Total Match Played | 05 |
| AFG Won | 04 |
| UAE Won | 01 |
| Draw/No Result | 00 |
AFG vs UAE Pitch Report
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi is a batting-friendly surface that has produced first-innings scores of 156-8, 209-9, and 150-7 in this World Cup. It offers good bounce and carry, allowing stroke-makers to play freely. However, there is assistance for seamers early and slower bowlers come into play during the middle overs. Afghanistan, if batting first, will target 190; UAE would be content with 160-170.
AFG vs UAE Weather Report
Conditions will be dry and warm with temperatures in the mid-20s °C. Skies will be mostly clear or partly cloudy with little to no rainfall forecast. Air quality may be poor to very poor, potentially affecting visibility. Winds will be light to moderate.
AFG vs UAE Toss Prediction
The captain winning the toss will face a genuine decision. Afghanistan, after struggling in a chase last time, may prefer to bat first and set a target. UAE, having won the chase against Canada, may be comfortable bowling first. However, the trend at this venue favors batting first to post a competitive total. Expect Afghanistan, if they win the toss, to bat.
AFG vs UAE Match Prediction
This is Afghanistan’s moment of truth, and history suggests they rise to these occasions. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is in career-best form (strike rate 173), and on a batting-friendly Delhi surface, he has the platform to produce a match-defining innings. UAE’s bowling attack, outside Junaid Siddique, lacks the penetration to trouble a full-strength Afghanistan lineup.
The concern for Afghanistan is their middle-order consistency Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai have flashed but not delivered consistently. However, with Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi as finishers, they possess the depth to accelerate late.
UAE’s only realistic path to victory is through Junaid Siddique replicating his five-wicket heroics and their top three (Aryansh, Waseem, Sharafu) all firing in unison. Against Rashid Khan and Mujeeb on a surface offering some turn, that’s a monumental task.
Expect Afghanistan to approach this with the intensity of a knockout controlled aggression with the bat, followed by spin dominance in the middle overs. UAE will compete hard, but Afghanistan’s superior quality, historical dominance, and do-or-die motivation should see them secure a vital victory and keep their Super 8 hopes flickering.
AFG vs UAE Dream11 Team
- Wicketkeeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Aryansh Sharma
- Batters: Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Muhammad Waseem
- All–rounders: Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sohaib Khan
- Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Junaid Siddique, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Captain (C) Pick: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sohaib Khan.
Vice-Captain (VC) Pick: Junaid Siddique, Ibrahim Zadran.
