Afghanistan vs West Indies, 3rd T20I Match Summary

As the road to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 begins in earnest, Afghanistan and the West Indies meet for the third and final T20I of their series in the UAE. With the series finale set to be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, both teams are looking to fine-tune their squads and solidify their combinations for the mega-event in India and Sri Lanka next month. Afghanistan enters this match with immense momentum, having dominated the first two encounters. For the West Indies, this is a final opportunity to find their rhythm and salvage pride before a grueling World Cup schedule. Under the leadership of Rashid Khan, Afghanistan has evolved from a giant killer to a powerhouse in the T20 format. Their performance in the first two matches showcased a terrifying blend of top-order aggression and world-class spin bowling. The partnership between Ibrahim Zadran/Sediqullah Atal alongside Darwish Rasooli has been the story of the series. Their ability to rebuild after early losses and accelerate in the death overs has left the Windies' bowlers searching for answers. The trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad remains the most formidable spin unit in world cricket. In the dry conditions of Dubai, they have effectively squeezed the West Indian middle order. Leading a side missing several key stars due to SA20 commitments, Brandon King has had a tough task. The Windies have shown flashes of brilliance but have lacked the consistency required to beat this Afghan side on sub-continental-style tracks. Jayden Seales and Matthew Forde have bowled with heart, but the lack of experienced spin support has made it difficult to contain Afghanistan's set batters. Afghanistan starts as the heavy favorites to complete a 3-0 whitewash. Their mastery of the conditions and the clinical form of their senior players make them a difficult mountain to climb for this depleted West Indies side. However, if the Caribbean power-hitters can find their range and navigate the middle-over spin trap, we could be in for a classic 'Calypso' fightback.