Afg vs WI T20 Prediction has become one of the most searched cricket topics as Afghanistan and West Indies prepare to clash in the 1st T20I of the Afghanistan vs West Indies T20I Series 2026. With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 just around the corner, this series holds massive importance for both teams as they look to finalize combinations, test bench strength, and gain momentum before the mega tournament.
The opening T20I will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday night, a venue well known for producing balanced contests and assisting spin as the match progresses.
AFG vs WI 1st T20I 2026 – Match Details
| Match Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Afghanistan vs West Indies T20I Series 2026 |
| Match | Afghanistan vs West Indies – 1st T20I |
| Date | Monday, 19 January 2026 |
| Time | 8:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
Match Preview: Afghanistan vs West Indies
This Afghanistan vs West Indies contest comes at a crucial phase for both sides. With only three weeks remaining for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, every match is an opportunity to fine-tune strategies and assess player roles.
Afghanistan enjoy the advantage of playing in familiar conditions, while West Indies arrive with a slightly experimental squad, looking to adapt to slower pitches and spin-friendly surfaces.
Afghanistan Team Preview (AFG)
Afghanistan will enter this series with high confidence and a settled squad. Over the last few years, they have established themselves as one of the most dangerous T20 teams, especially on slow and turning pitches like Dubai.
Strengths of Afghanistan
- World-class spin bowling attack
- Excellent knowledge of Dubai conditions
- Consistent recent performances
- Balanced all-round options
Led by Rashid Khan, Afghanistan possess one of the most feared spin attacks in world cricket. Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman can dominate any batting lineup, particularly as the pitch slows down in the second half.
The batting unit also looks stable, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran providing solid starts, while experienced players like Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai add depth and flexibility.
Key Players for Afghanistan
- Rashid Khan – Captain and strike bowler
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Aggressive wicketkeeper-batter
- Azmatullah Omarzai – Reliable all-rounder
- Mohammad Nabi – Experience and finishing ability
West Indies Team Preview (WI)
West Indies are two-time T20 World Champions, but their recent performances in similar conditions have raised concerns. For this series, they have opted for a slightly experimental squad, giving opportunities to young players.
Strengths & Challenges for West Indies
- Explosive batting potential
- Young and athletic squad
- Lack of experience against quality spin
- Some senior players unavailable
Brandon King will lead the side, and players like Shimron Hetmyer and Johnson Charles will be crucial in countering Afghanistan’s spin attack. However, handling spin on slow Dubai pitches remains West Indies’ biggest challenge, especially after their recent struggles against spin-heavy teams.
Key Players for West Indies
- Brandon King – Captain and top-order anchor
- Shimron Hetmyer – Power hitter in middle order
- Johnson Charles – Aggressive opener
- Gudakesh Motie – Key spin option
AFG vs WI Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| West Indies | 5 |
| Afghanistan | 3 |
| No Result / Tied | 0 |
Although West Indies lead the head-to-head record, Afghanistan have closed the gap significantly in recent years, especially on neutral venues.
Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Last 5 Results |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | L, W, W, W, W |
| West Indies | W, L, L, NR, L |
Afghanistan clearly enter this match in better form, while West Indies are still searching for consistency.
Pitch Report – Dubai International Cricket Stadium
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium traditionally offers something for both batters and bowlers.
Pitch Characteristics
- Batting friendly in the early overs
- Spinners dominate as the match progresses
- Slower balls and cutters are effective
- Chasing teams generally have an advantage
Chasing Teams Winning Percentage: 53%
Weather Report for AFG vs WI 1st T20I
- Temperature: 21–23°C
- Humidity: 38–44%
- Rain Chance: 0%
Clear weather is expected, ensuring a full 40-over contest without interruptions.
Dubai International Cricket Stadium – T20I Stats
| Record | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 121 |
| Batting First Wins | 55 |
| Batting Second Wins | 64 |
| Tie / No Result | 2 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 140 |
| Highest Score | 212/2 (IND vs AFG) |
| Lowest Score | 55 all out (WI vs ENG) |
Predicted Playing XI – Afghanistan
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Sediqullah Atal
- Gulbadin Naib
- Darwish Rasooli
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan (C)
- Noor Ahmad
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
Predicted Playing XI – West Indies
- Brandon King (C)
- Keacy Carty
- Johnson Charles (WK)
- Alick Athanaze
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Gudakesh Motie
- Justin Greaves
- Matthew Forde
- Khary Pierre
- Shamar Joseph
- Jayden Seales
AFG vs WI Dream11 Fantasy Tips
Fantasy players should focus on all-rounders and spinners, considering Dubai conditions.
Small League (Safe Picks)
- Rashid Khan
- Mohammad Nabi
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Johnson Charles
Captain / Vice-Captain Options (Safe)
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Matthew Forde
Grand League (Risky Picks)
- Brandon King
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Shimron Hetmyer
Captain / Vice-Captain Options (Risky)
- Brandon King
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Afg vs WI T20 Prediction – Who Will Win?
Dubai conditions clearly favor Afghanistan. Their spin-heavy bowling attack is perfectly suited for this surface, and their players have extensive experience playing here.
West Indies, on the other hand, are still adjusting to spin-friendly conditions and have an inexperienced bowling unit for this series. While they possess explosive batters, consistency remains a concern.
Also read:
Predicted Winner: Afghanistan
Injury Update
| Team | Status |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | No injury updates |
| West Indies | No injury updates |
conclusion
The Afg vs WI T20 Prediction strongly favors Afghanistan in the 1st T20I of the series. With superior spin resources, better recent form, and familiarity with Dubai conditions, Afghanistan hold a clear edge over West Indies. However, T20 cricket is unpredictable, and a strong individual performance from West Indies could still make the contest exciting.
Disclaimer
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