Match Preview – Afghanistan vs West Indies( AFG vs WI ), Dream11 Prediction, 1st T20I Match. Who Will Win, On January 19, 2026

Match Details:

• Match: Afghanistan vs West Indies( AFG vs WI ), 1st T20I Match, New Zealand tour of India, 2026
• Date and Time: January 19,  08:00 am GMT / 02:00 pm BD / 01:30 pm local time
• Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

AFG vs WI Tips & Match Prediction:

Who will win the toss? – West Indies

Who will win the match? – Afghanistan

Afghanistan vs West Indies Preview:

Afghanistan( AFG ) is set to face West Indies( WI ) in their 1st T20I match during the New Zealand tour of India, 2026. This match is scheduled to take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday, January 19.

Afghanistan’s rise from an associate nation to a major force in T20 cricket has been remarkable, and their progress has been particularly impressive in the shortest format. Their best T20 World Cup performance came in 2024 when they reached the semi-finals, and expectations are once again high for the Rashid Khan-led side. Before the World Cup begins, Afghanistan will play a final three-match T20I series against the West Indies in Sharjah.

Afghanistan have a strong squad, especially suited for T20 cricket, and the batting lineup looks powerful with players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, and Mohammad Nabi. Ibrahim Zadran comes into the series in excellent form, having scored 169 runs in three matches against Zimbabwe. Gurbaz and Nabi have also been active in the Bangladesh Premier League, where Gurbaz made 93 runs in four games and Nabi scored 95 runs while also taking four wickets.

Captain Rashid Khan will lead the bowling attack and remains one of the best T20 bowlers in the world, with 182 T20I wickets to his name. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen ul Haq are expected to spearhead the pace attack. However, Naveen has been ruled out of the series and the World Cup due to injury, which means Fazalhaq will carry most of the pace bowling responsibility, supported by Azmatullah Omarzai, Abdullah Ahmadzai, and Gulbadin Naib.

LIVE: Who will win today’s match? BBL: Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers, 40th Match. Cricket Match Prediction

The West Indies, meanwhile, will play six matches before the T20 World Cup 2026, with three against Afghanistan and three against South Africa. However, several senior players, including Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, and Sherfane Rutherford, are unavailable for this series as they are participating in the SA20 League.

For the series in Sharjah, West Indies have named an experimental 16-member squad led by opener Brandon King. King, 31, is an experienced all-format player with over 1,700 international runs. The batting lineup features explosive hitters like Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer, along with promising youngsters such as Quentin Sampson, Amir Jangoo, and Alick Athanaze. Veteran Johnson Charles is also part of the squad, having scored 244 runs in 10 matches in the ILT20 2026.

In the bowling department, the pace duo of Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales are expected to lead the attack. Joseph has been impressive in red-ball cricket with 51 wickets, but he is still searching for consistency in T20s, having taken 15 wickets in 12 matches. Seales has also had limited exposure, with six wickets in six games. Young talent Ramon Simmonds has shown promise too, picking up four wickets in just two matches.

AFG vs WI Possible Playing XI:

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai.

West Indies: Brandon King (c), Johnson Charles (wk), Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Keacy Carry, Kharry Pierre, Justin Greaves, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales, Ramon Simmonds.

AFG vs WI Recent 5 Match Performance:

AFG vs WI Head-To-Head Records:

AFG vs WI Toss Prediction:

We’re hoping the team wins the toss and chooses to bowl first.

AFG vs WI Pitch Report:

The pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is generally considered a batting-friendly surface, with the ball coming onto the bat nicely and offering true bounce. It tends to be dry and flat, which makes it easier for batters to play their shots and build big innings, often resulting in high-scoring matches. Fast bowlers may get some early assistance with the new ball, but the track usually becomes flatter as the game progresses, reducing seam movement and putting more pressure on bowlers to use variations. Spinners can also be effective in the middle overs if the surface starts to wear and roughen, but overall the pitch favors the batters. With the possibility of dew later in the evening, chasing teams often find it slightly easier under lights.

AFG vs WI Weather Report:

The weather at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on January 19 around 6:30 PM local time is expected to be pleasant and mostly dry, with clear or mostly clear skies and no significant chance of rain. Temperatures in the early evening should be around 21–22 °C, cooling slightly as night falls, making it comfortable for both players and spectators. Skies will likely remain clear to lightly hazy, and winds should be light to moderate, typical for Dubai’s winter conditions. Overall, the forecast points to ideal cricketing weather with minimal interruption from the elements.

Expected Scores:

1st Innings Expected Score: 170–185 runs

2nd Innings Expected Score: 165–180 runs

Key Notes:

Dubai pitch is typically batting-friendly, offering true bounce and good carry which helps batters play through the line.

Early overs usually favour fast bowlers, but the wicket tends to flatten quickly, making scoring easier as the innings progresses.

Teams batting first can post big totals, as the stadium often supports high-scoring encounters.

Spinners can be effective in the middle overs, especially if the surface starts to wear, but they must rely on accuracy and variation.

Dew can play a role in the second innings, making the ball skid onto the bat and assisting the chasing side.

A score around 175–180 should be competitive, and teams batting first would look to reach at least that mark to put pressure on the opposition.

Afghanistan vs West Indies Full Squad:

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Ibrahim Zadran (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Mohammad Ishaq (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen Ul Haq, Fazal Haq Farooqi and Abdullah Ahmadzai.

West Indies: Brandon King (c), Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Khary Pierre, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Ramon Simmonds, Shamar Springer, Shimron Hetmyer