Afghanistan Defeat West Indies in First T20I Ahead of 2026 World Cup Series

Afghanistan and West Indies began a three-match T20I series in Dubai on January 19, 2026, as final preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan, led by Rashid Khan, won the first match by 38 runs, powered by strong innings from Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli and effective spin bowling. West Indies, captained by Brandon King, aimed to test their squad depth amid several key players' absences. The series offers both teams a chance to refine strategies ahead of the global tournament.