The 28th T20 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 between Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates is set to deliver an exciting contest as both teams look to strengthen their campaign in the tournament. Afghanistan will aim to dominate with their world-class spin attack, while UAE will look to create an upset with disciplined bowling and aggressive batting. In this article, you’ll find a detailed AFG vs UAE today match prediction, along with pitch analysis, ground conditions, team insights, and match-winning factors to help you understand how the game might unfold. Don’t forget to check the T20 World Cup 2026 full match schedule and fixtures to stay updated with all upcoming games.
📌 Afghanistan vs United Arab Emirates Match Details
- 🇦🇫 Match: AFG vs UAE, 28th T20 Match
- 🏆 Series: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
- 📅 Date: Monday, 16 February 2026
- ⏰ Time (IST / Local / GMT): 11:00 AM
- 📍 Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- 👥 Teams: Afghanistan vs United Arab Emirates
🏏 AFG vs UAE Today Match Pitch Report – Key Points
The AFG vs UAE pitch report at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, suggests a surface that offers balanced support to both batters and bowlers. The pitch is generally batting-friendly in the powerplay, allowing stroke-makers to score freely. However, as the match progresses, the surface slows down, bringing spinners into the game, making middle overs crucial. Pacers may get some early movement with the new ball, while cutters and slower deliveries become effective in the latter half.
Average first innings scores at this venue usually range between 155–175 runs, making it a competitive ground where both defending and chasing teams have equal chances depending on execution.
- Pitch Type: Flat initially, slow and spin-friendly later.
- Pacers Support: Early swing and bounce in powerplay overs.
- Spinners Support: Strong assistance during middle and death overs.
- Average 1st Innings Score: Around 160–170 runs.
- Chasing Factor: Chasing can be tricky if pitch slows down significantly.
- Toss Impact: Slight advantage to teams batting first in dry conditions.
- Dew Factor: Morning matches generally see minimal dew, keeping bowling conditions stable throughout the game.
- 👉 For detailed insights on ground dimensions, boundary sizes, pitch nature, venue records, toss impact, match winner analysis, and bat-first or bowl-first trends, check the complete Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report.
🔥 AFG vs UAE Full Squad
🇦🇫 Afghanistan Team Squad
Rashid Khan ⭐ (C) (All-Rounder), Ibrahim Zadran (Batter), Rahmanullah Gurbaz ⭐ (WK) (Wicket-Keeper), Mohammad Ishaq (WK), Sediqullah Atal (Batter), Darwish Rasooli (Batter), Shahidullah Kamal (All-Rounder), Azmatullah Omarzai (All-Rounder), Gulbadin Naib (All-Rounder), Mohammad Nabi (All-Rounder), Noor Ahmad (Bowler), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Bowler), Fazalhaq Farooqi (Bowler), Abdullah Ahmadzai (Bowler), Ziaur Rahman Sharifi (Bowler).
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates Team Squad
Muhammad Waseem ⭐ (C) (Batter), Alishan Sharafu (All-Rounder), Aryansh Sharma ⭐ (WK) (Wicket-Keeper), Haider Ali (Bowler), Harshit Kaushik (All-Rounder), Junaid Siddique (Bowler), Muhammad Farooq (All-Rounder), Muhammad Jawadullah (Bowler), Mohammad Zuhaib Khan (Batter), Muhammad Rohid Khan (Bowler), Sohaib Khan (Batter), Simranjeet Singh Kang (Bowler), Muhammad Arfan (Bowler), Zuhaib Zubair (Bowler), Mayank Rajesh Kumar (Batter).
🔥 AFG vs UAE Key Players to Watch
This match brings together explosive batting talent, world-class spin bowling, and impactful all-rounders. Afghanistan enters as the stronger side, but UAE’s aggressive top order and disciplined bowling attack can create pressure situations. Watching these key players will help in better today match prediction, fantasy team selection, and understanding match momentum shifts.
🏏 Top Batsmen to Watch
- 🟢 Ibrahim Zadran (AFG): Technically solid opener who builds strong innings under pressure.
- ⚡ Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG): Explosive wicket-keeper batter capable of quick powerplay damage.
- 🔵 Muhammad Waseem (UAE): Aggressive captain and UAE’s biggest batting hope.
🎯 Top Bowlers to Watch
- 💥 Rashid Khan (AFG): World’s most dangerous T20 spinner, lethal in middle and death overs.
- 🌀 Mujeeb Ur Rahman (AFG): Powerplay spin specialist, extremely economical.
- 🚀 Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG): Left-arm pacer effective with early swing and death bowling.
- 🎯 Junaid Siddique (UAE): Key wicket-taking pacer for UAE.
⚡ Top All-Rounders to Watch
- 🔥 Mohammad Nabi (AFG): Calm finisher with tight off-spin control.
- 🌟 Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG): Powerful hitter and handy seam bowling option.
- ⚖️ Alishan Sharafu (UAE): Reliable all-rounder providing balance in both departments.
🏆 Match Impact Players – AFG vs UAE
- 🇦🇫 Afghanistan: ⭐ Rashid Khan, ⚡ Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 🔥 Mohammad Nabi
- 🇦🇪 UAE: 🌟 Muhammad Waseem, 🎯 Junaid Siddique, ⚖️ Alishan Sharafu
🏆 AFG vs UAE Today Match Prediction
Afghanistan comes into this clash as the clear favorite, thanks to their world-class spin attack, explosive batting lineup, and vast international experience. UAE will look to challenge them with disciplined bowling and aggressive intent, but handling Afghanistan’s spinners on a slow Delhi surface will be a major test.
If Afghanistan bats first, they are capable of posting a strong total above 170, which could put UAE under significant pressure. UAE’s best chance lies in early breakthroughs and a strong powerplay performance. Overall, fans can expect a competitive contest, with Afghanistan holding a clear edge in winning probability.
Match Prediction: 🇦🇫 Afghanistan likely to win
🌤️ AFG vs UAE Today Match Weather Conditions & Dew Impact
The weather at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium is expected to be warm and dry during the 28th T20 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 between Afghanistan and UAE. The temperature is likely to hover between 26–31°C, with clear to partly cloudy skies. Rain chances are very low, so fans can expect a complete 20-over contest without interruptions.
- Day Matches:
In daytime games, the surface generally remains dry and firm, offering good bounce for batters. Pacers may get some early movement with the new ball, but overall conditions favor stroke play, especially during the powerplay overs. - Dew Factor:
Dew is usually minimal in day matches at Delhi, but in case of late evening humidity, slight moisture on the outfield can make the ball skid onto the bat, helping chasing teams during the second innings.
- Night Matches:
Under lights, the pitch can become slightly slower, assisting spinners in the middle overs. If dew appears, bowlers might struggle with grip, giving batters an edge while chasing targets. - Tip for Teams & Fans:
Keeping an eye on live weather updates and pitch behavior is important. Teams can adjust their bowling combinations and batting strategies accordingly, while fans can better predict scoring trends and match momentum.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – AFG vs UAE 28th T20 Match, 2026 World Cup
- 📌 Where is the AFG vs UAE 28th T20 match being played?
The 28th T20 match between Afghanistan and UAE will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. This venue is known for its shorter boundaries, batting-friendly surface, and high-scoring T20 encounters, especially during day matches. - ⚡ What is the pitch condition at Arun Jaitley Stadium?
The pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium is generally flat and good for batting. Batters can play their shots freely, especially in the powerplay overs. Pacers may get slight assistance with the new ball, while spinners become effective as the pitch slows down in the middle overs. Average first innings scores usually range between 165–180 runs. - 🎯 Does the toss influence match outcomes at this ground?
Yes, the toss can play an important role at this venue. Teams batting first often enjoy a slight advantage due to predictable pitch behavior. However, chasing teams can also succeed if they control the middle overs and handle spin effectively. - 💧 How does weather and dew impact the match?
Dew Factor: Dew is usually minimal in day matches at Delhi, but late evening humidity can sometimes make the ball skid onto the bat, helping chasing teams.
Day Matches: Batting conditions remain favorable, while pacers can extract limited early movement.
Night Matches: The pitch tends to slow down slightly, assisting spinners and making stroke-making a bit challenging in the later overs. - 🏆 Who are the key players to watch in this match?
Afghanistan: Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi
UAE: Muhammad Waseem, Vriitya Aravind, Junaid Siddique - 📈 What is the recent form of both teams?
Afghanistan: 4 wins out of last 5 T20 matches, showing strong form and consistent performances.
UAE: 2 wins out of last 5 T20 matches, with mixed results and occasional strong individual displays. - 🟢 How has the head-to-head been in T20s?
Afghanistan has dominated the head-to-head record against UAE in T20 internationals, winning most of their previous encounters. Their superior bowling attack and aggressive batting approach have given them a consistent edge. - 🚀 What are the average scores and batting trends at this ground?
The average first innings score at Arun Jaitley Stadium is around 165–180 runs. Openers often score quickly during the powerplay, while middle-order batters need good strike rotation to maintain momentum. Targets above 175 usually create pressure on chasing teams. - 🏅 Which players can influence the match outcome the most?
Afghanistan: Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi
UAE: Muhammad Waseem, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan - 🏆 Who will win today’s AFG vs UAE match?
Based on current form, squad depth, and overall performance, Afghanistan enters the match as clear favorites. However, UAE can challenge strongly if their top order fires and bowlers execute disciplined plans. - 📖 Where can I find full pitch and ground statistics?
Check complete pitch analysis, boundary dimensions, ground history, toss impact, and match-winning trends in the detailed Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report.
