In a series dominated by spin and high-octane batting, Afghanistan emerged victorious, winning the series 2–1. While the “Blue Tigers” showcased their clinical growth in subcontinental-like conditions, the West Indies managed to salvage pride with a fighting victory in the final match.
Series Results at a Glance
| Match | Date | Venue | Result | Player of the Match |
| 1st T20I | Jan 19 | Dubai | AFG won by 38 runs | Darwish Rasooli (AFG) |
| 2nd T20I | Jan 21 | Dubai | AFG won by 39 runs | Mujeeb Ur Rahman (AFG) |
| 3rd T20I | Jan 22 | Dubai | WI won by 15 runs | Shamar Springer (WI) |
Match Highlights
1st T20I: The Zadran-Rasooli Show
Afghanistan set the tone early. After a shaky start at $19/2$, Ibrahim Zadran ($87^*$) and Darwish Rasooli ($84^*$) put on a masterclass 162-run partnership. Chasing 182, the West Indies struggled against the spin duo of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, finishing at $143/9$.
2nd T20I: Mujeeb’s Magic Hat-trick
Afghanistan’s batting depth was on display again as they posted a massive $189/4$, led by Sediqullah Atal (53) and another fifty from Rasooli (68). The highlight of the series followed in the second innings when Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed a sensational hat-trick, finishing with figures of $4/21$ to bundle out the Windies for 150.
3rd T20I: Shamar Springer’s Heroics
With the series already lost, West Indies captain Brandon King opted to bat first to “change the dynamics.” They posted a modest $151/7$. However, the night belonged to Shamar Springer, who took a hat-trick of his own and finished with $4/19$. Despite a valiant 71 from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan fell 15 runs short.
Top Performers
- Most Runs: Darwish Rasooli (AFG) – 156 runs. Rasooli has firmly established himself as a middle-order anchor for the upcoming World Cup.
- Most Wickets: Mujeeb Ur Rahman (AFG) – 6 wickets. His powerplay breakthroughs remain Afghanistan’s biggest weapon.
- West Indies Standout: Brandon King led from the front with 101 total runs across the series, while Shamar Springer proved he belongs at the international level.
World Cup Outlook
Afghanistan enters the T20 World Cup with immense confidence, having won their last six T20I series. Their spin attack (Rashid, Mujeeb, and Noor) looks lethal for Indian and Sri Lankan tracks.
For the West Indies, the series exposed a vulnerability to high-quality spin in the middle overs. They will head to South Africa next for a final three-match series (Jan 27–31) to finalize their combinations before their World Cup.
