All-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai produced a superb all-round display to power Afghanistan to a five-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in their must-win T20 World Cup Group D clash on Monday.

Omarzai first starred with the ball, claiming 4 for 15 in his four overs to restrict UAE to 160 for 9. He then returned to anchor the chase with an unbeaten 40, guiding Afghanistan to 162 for 5 in 19.2 overs.

The win opened Afghanistan’s account in the tournament and kept their slim Super Eight hopes alive. It also confirmed South Africa’s progression to the next round at the top of the group with six points, ahead of New Zealand, while UAE slipped to fourth place.

UAE’s total was built around Sohaib Khan’s fluent 68 off 48 balls. He shared an 84-run partnership for the third wicket with Alishan Sharafu (40 off 29) after early setbacks had left UAE struggling.

Omarzai set the tone early by dismissing last match’s hero Aryansh Sharma for a duck. Skipper Muhammad Waseem briefly counterattacked with two boundaries before falling to Mujeeb Ur Rahman, leaving UAE at 13 for 2.

Despite some aggressive strokeplay during the Powerplay, including Sharafu taking on Rashid Khan and Mujeeb, Afghanistan clawed their way back through disciplined middle-overs bowling. Mujeeb broke the key stand by removing Sharafu, and Omarzai struck twice in quick succession to derail the innings.

Also Read: One-sided rivalry? India’s dominance raises commercial concerns

Sohaib raised his half-century in 37 balls and tried to carry the fight, but regular wickets left UAE at 121 for 6 in the 16th over. Omarzai returned in the 19th to dismiss Sohaib and complete a fine spell.

Chasing 161, Afghanistan stumbled early as Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a duck and Gulbadin Naib fell cheaply, leaving them 41 for 2 at the end of the Powerplay.

Ibrahim Zadran steadied the innings with a composed 53 off 41 deliveries, striking six fours and a six to anchor the chase. However, his dismissal to Muhammad Arfan briefly revived UAE’s hopes.

With 61 needed from the final six overs, Darwish Rasooli (33) counterattacked, adding 43 runs with Omarzai to swing the momentum back. Rasooli eventually fell to Junaid Siddique, but by then the equation was manageable.

Needing 17 off the last two overs, Omarzai accelerated, launching Muhammad Jawadullah for a six before an inside edge raced to the boundary. Afghanistan required just four runs in the final over, which they secured without further drama.