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Afghanistan seek breakthrough as qualification stakes rise
The Island
|February 16, 2026
Afghanistan and UAE meet in Group D at a stage where every result begins to carry added weight.
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Afghanistan are still searching for their first win after being outplayed by New Zealand and then falling agonisingly short against South Africa in a match decided after two Super Overs, leaving them fourth in the standings. UAE, meanwhile, recovered from a heavy defeat to New Zealand to edge out Canada in a close contest, giving themselves a timely lift ahead of this fixture.
Afghanistan's campaign has swung between frustration and promise. They were unable to match New Zealand's control in their opening game, but against South Africa they showed their fighting qualities, pushing the contest deep before narrowly missing out in dramatic fashion. The challenge now is to convert competitiveness into results, with sharper execution in key moments likely to determine whether they can keep their qualification hopes alive.
This story is from the February 16, 2026 edition of The Island.
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