AFG vs WI: Afghanistan beats West Indies 189-150 last night, wins T20I series

Afghanistan absolutely dominated last night at Dubai, crushing West Indies by 39 runs in a one-sided affair. Darwish Rasooli smashed 68 runs while Mujeeb Ur Rahman seized a maiden T20I hat-trick. Afghanistan now owns an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

Rasooli’s Blitz Powers Afghanistan Batting

Darwish Rasooli arrived early and took no prisoners against the West Indies bowling attack. Playing his third straight T20I fifty, he dispatched 16 boundaries in just 39 deliveries. His aggressive approach set the tone perfectly. Sediqullah Atal anchored the innings with a watchful 53 off 48 balls, forming a crucial 115-run partnership for the third wicket after both openers fell cheaply.

Late fireworks from Azmatullah Omarzai pushed the total beyond reach. West Indies’ bowlers had no answer for the relentless assault. Mohammad Forde’s two wickets proved insufficient as Afghanistan posted a commanding 189/4. The 20-run final over made the chase nearly impossible from the start.

West Indies Crumble Against Afghan Bowlers

West Indies never recovered from losing Alick Athanaze to a direct hit in just the third over. Scoring only 29 runs during the powerplay, they battled through the middle overs but lacked the firepower needed. Brandon King offered some resistance with 50 runs from 41 balls. Shimron Hetmyer injected urgency with 6 sixes in 17 balls for 46 runs but fell to Fazalhaq Farooqi in the 14th over.

The moment Mujeeb returned, West Indies’ hopes evaporated. They managed just 27 runs in their final 5 wickets. The lower order offered zero resistance as Afghanistan’s spinners proved unplayable on the turning surface. West Indies’ batting depth simply couldn’t match the Afghan quality.

Match Statistics and Performance Metrics

“A third successive T20I half-century from Darwish Rasooli, an anchoring fifty from Sediqullah Atal and a maiden T20I hat-trick from Mujeeb Ur Rahman helped Afghanistan take an unassailable 2-0 lead over West Indies in the three-match series.”

— ESPN Cricinfo Match Report, January 21, 2026

Mujeeb’s Historic Hat-Trick Moment

Mujeeb Ur Rahman became only the third Afghanistan bowler to achieve a T20I hat-trick after Rashid Khan and Karim Janat. He ripped through West Indies’ middle order with extraordinary precision. The left-arm spinner grabbed four wickets in five deliveries across two separate spells. First came Evin Lewis via lbw, then Johnson Charles bowled just one ball later.

When Brandon King came dancing down the track, he miscued the hat-trick ball straight to long on. Quentin Sampson fell two balls later, failing to read a googly. Mujeeb finished with 4/21 in just 4 overs, an absolutely devastating spell. His ability to change pace and trajectory bewildered batsmen in difficult lighting conditions.

What’s Next for Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup Preparation?

With the series already secured, the final 3rd T20I takes place today. Afghanistan views remaining matches as perfect preparation before the T20 World Cup. West Indies will seek a consolation win before their South Africa tour. Afghanistan’s recent form proves they’re serious contenders heading into the World Cup. Winning three consecutive T20I series shows remarkable consistency and depth across their squad.

The stunning victory demonstrates Afghanistan’s dominance in white-ball cricket. Both batting firepower and bowling accuracy worked in perfect harmony. As they build toward the World Cup, performances like these provide genuine confidence among the coaching staff and players alike.

Sources

• ESPNcricinfo – AFG vs WI 2nd T20I full match report and statistical analysis
• Afghanistan Cricket Board – Official match coverage and player performance updates
• AP Sports – Breaking cricket news on Mujeeb’s hat-trick achievement

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.