Afghanistan Clinch Impressive Victory Over West Indies in T20 World Cup Warm-up
BENGALURU, 4 February 2026 – Afghanistan has signaled its intent for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a convincing performance against the West Indies at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground. In the eighth match of the official warm-up schedule, the Afghan side displayed clinical batting in the latter half of their innings to secure a morale-boosting win.
Rasooli Shines as Afghanistan Accelerates
The match was defined by Afghanistan’s tactical patience followed by an explosive finish. After a steady start, the Afghan batsmen shifted gears in the final 10 overs, amassing 107 runs in a late-innings surge. Darwish Rasooli was the protagonist of the afternoon, striking five sixes in a dynamic display of power hitting that left the West Indian bowling attack struggling for answers.
The West Indies, who recently defeated Afghanistan in a T20I series in the UAE earlier this year, found the conditions in Bengaluru more challenging. Despite contributions from Brandon King and Nicholas Pooran, the Caribbean side could not maintain the required run rate against a disciplined Afghan spin attack led by Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi.
Key Match Statistics
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground, Bengaluru |
| Top Performer (AFG) | Darwish Rasooli (52.0 average in recent outings) |
| Top Performer (WI) | Brandon King (47 runs off 35 balls) |
| Match Format | T20 (ICC World Cup Warm-up) |
| Key Turning Point | 107 runs scored by AFG in the final 10 overs |
Preparation for the Main Event
This victory follows Afghanistan’s recent 61-run win over Scotland, confirming their strong form heading into the tournament proper. For the West Indies, the match served as a critical assessment of their death-bowling options and middle-order stability under pressure. Both teams are expected to rotate their squads further in the remaining warm-up fixtures to ensure peak fitness for the group stages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the AFG vs WI warm-up match played?
The match took place at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru, India.
Who were the standout players for Afghanistan?
Darwish Rasooli was the standout performer with the bat, while veteran all-rounders Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan provided crucial stability and breakthroughs.
What is the significance of this match?
As an official ICC Men’s T20 World Cup warm-up match, it does not carry international status for records but allows teams to test their playing XIs and adapt to local conditions before the tournament begins.