Afghanistan will face the West Indies in the 1st T20I of the three-match series on January 19, 2026, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, UAE. This series is crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, starting in February.
Both teams have quality players in their squads. Afghanistan features stars like Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Azmatullah Omarzai. West Indies rely on Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, and Shamar Joseph to deliver match-winning performances. This match promises to be a blockbuster encounter.
This article gives you a detailed Dream11 prediction, match details, head-to-head records, and key players for this T20I clash.
Afghanistan vs West Indies 1st T20I Preview
Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host the 1st T20I of the three-match series. The game starts at 6:30 PM Local Time (8:00 PM IST / 2:30 PM GMT).
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Afghanistan vs West Indies, 1st T20I |
| Date | 19 January 2026 |
| Time | 6:30 PM Local / 8:00 PM IST / 2:30 PM GMT |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE |
| Series | Etisalat Cup – 3-Match T20I Series |
This series serves as the final preparation for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup. Afghanistan reached the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup for the first time in their history. West Indies, the two-time T20 World Cup champions, are fielding an understrength squad with several key players unavailable.
Pitch Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Balanced surface, batting-friendly |
| Average Score | 140-160 runs (T20Is), 166-171 (IPL/ILT20) |
| Favors | Batters and spinners get assistance as the match progresses |
| Surface | Consistent bounce, good carry |
| Boundaries | Straight boundary ~72m, Square ~64-67m |
| Toss Factor | Chasing teams have won ~55-59% of T20 matches here |
Dubai International Cricket Stadium is known as a batting-friendly venue with consistent bounce and pace. Fast bowlers can exploit early movement with the new ball, but as the match progresses, conditions favor batters. Spinners find grip and turn in the middle overs. The dew factor plays an important role in evening matches, making chasing easier. Teams batting second have historically had the advantage here.
Weather Report
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 17-25°C expected |
| Humidity | Low to moderate |
| Wind Speed | Light breeze |
| Rain Chance | No chance of rain |
| Overall | Clear, pleasant evening conditions |
Toss Prediction
Winning the toss will be crucial in this encounter. Teams bowling first have had success at this venue due to dew in the second innings.
The captain winning the toss will likely choose to bowl first and chase under the lights.
Team News & Injury Updates
Afghanistan:
- Naveen-ul-Haq (OUT) – Ruled out of the series and T20 World Cup with a stress fracture in his right shoulder. Will undergo surgery in the UK. This is a massive blow, as he was Afghanistan’s leading T20I wicket-taker (67 wickets in 48 matches).
- Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi (IN) – Called up from reserve pool to replace Naveen-ul-Haq.
- Farid Ahmad Malik – Added to the reserve pool as pace bowling backup.
- Rashid Khan (c) – Left MI Cape Town mid-SA20 to captain Afghanistan. 21 wickets in 12 T20Is since 2025 at an average of 12.85. The world’s best T20 spinner.
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman – Left Paarl Royals to join the national squad.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Left Bangladesh Premier League to join the national side. Explosive opener.
- Mohammad Nabi – Left BPL to join the squad. Experience and all-round ability.
- Gulbadin Naib (RETURN) – Returns to the squad for the first time since the Asia Cup 2025.
- Ibrahim Zadran – Vice-captain, leading run-scorer since 2025 with 453 runs at an average of 34.84.
- Azmatullah Omarzai – In excellent form with 151 runs at SR 142.45 and 6 wickets in 2026.
- This series is Afghanistan’s final preparation before the T20 World Cup.
West Indies:
- Shai Hope (UNAVAILABLE) – Regular T20I captain unavailable due to SA20 commitments with Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
- Roston Chase (UNAVAILABLE) – Playing in SA20.
- Akeal Hosein (UNAVAILABLE) – Playing in SA20 with Joburg Super Kings.
- Sherfane Rutherford (UNAVAILABLE) – Playing in SA20 with Pretoria Capitals.
- Jason Holder (RESTED) – Rested ahead of the T20 World Cup.
- Rovman Powell (RESTED) – Rested ahead of the T20 World Cup.
- Romario Shepherd (RESTED) – Rested for workload management.
- Alzarri Joseph (NOT SELECTED) – Recovering from injury, under observation for World Cup call-up.
- Brandon King (c) – Stand-in captain. Has prior leadership experience, captained WI against South Africa in early 2024.
- Shamar Joseph (RETURN) – Returns after completing return-to-play protocols following injury.
- Evin Lewis (RETURN) – Returns to full fitness after injury.
- Quentin Sampson (DEBUT) – Earns maiden international call-up after being CPL 2025 Breakout Player (241 runs at SR 151.57).
- Shimron Hetmyer – Key middle-order batter, available for this series.
- West Indies recently lost 2-0 to Nepal in T20Is – a shocking result for the two-time World Cup champions.
Dream11 Team For Afghanistan vs West Indies
AFG vs WI Head-to-Head Records
Afghanistan and the West Indies have faced each other multiple times in T20I history.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total T20I Matches | 8 |
| West Indies Win | 5 |
| Afghanistan Win | 3 |
West Indies have a slight edge in head-to-head, winning 5 of 8 T20I encounters. However, the West Indies are playing an understrength squad, while Afghanistan have their full-strength team preparing for the World Cup.
Last Five Matches
- West Indies won by 104 runs, 18-Jun-2024
- Afghanistan won by 29 runs, 17-Nov-2019
- Afghanistan won by 41 runs, 16-Nov-2019
- West Indies won by 30 runs, 14-Nov-2019
- West Indies won by 7 wickets (with 4 balls remaining) 06-Jun-2017
Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Reason |
|---|---|
| Rashid Khan (AFG) | World’s best T20 spinner, 21 wickets in 12 T20Is since 2025 at avg 12.85 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG) | Explosive opener, key to Afghanistan’s batting |
| Ibrahim Zadran (AFG) | Leading run-scorer since 2025 with 453 runs at avg 34.84 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG) | All-rounder in excellent form – 151 runs at SR 142.45, 6 wickets in 2026 |
| Brandon King (WI) | The stand-in captain needs to lead from the front with the bat |
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