Afghanistan will meet the West Indies in the third and final encounter of the series on the 22nd of January, 2026, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Afghanistan have already sealed the series by winning the first two matches and will now aim for a clean 3–0 sweep, while West Indies will be desperate to avoid a whitewash.

Afghanistan have been excellent throughout the series. They chose to bat first in both matches and posted big totals, putting constant pressure on the West Indies. While in the second T20I, Afghanistan made 189/4 with good knocks from Darwish Rasooli (68) and Sediqullah Atal (53); with the ball, Mujeeb Ur Rahman came up with a match-winning spell with a haul of 4 wickets, inclusive of a hat-trick, to restrict the opposition.

West Indies have struggled to keep up, especially against Afghanistan’s spin attack. Although Brandon King (50) and Shimron Hetmyer (46) showed some fight in the previous game, the team lacked solid partnerships in the middle overs. With the series already lost, West Indies will look to play freely and finish the tour on a positive note. Both teams may also test a few bench players in this final match.

AFG vs WI: Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)

• Matches Played: 10
• Afghanistan Won: 5
• West Indies Won: 5
• No Result: 0

AFG vs WI: Pitch Report

The pitch in Dubai is usually good for batting early in the match. The ball comes nicely onto the bat in the first innings. However, as the game progresses, the surface slows down and becomes harder to bat on. Spinners play a big role in the second innings, which has troubled West Indies in this series.

See Also: WPL 2026, Match 14: GGW vs UPW head-to-head, weather & pitch report, predicted playing XIs

AFG vs WI: Predicted Playing XIs

Afghanistan (AFG):

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (C), Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

West Indies (WI):

Evin Lewis, Alick Athanaze, Brandon King (C), Quentin Sampson, Shimron Hetmyer, Matthew Forde, Khary Pierre, Johnson Charles (WK), Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Ramon Simmonds

Afghanistan will square off against West Indies in the second T20I of the three-match series, which will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on January 21. Afghanistan will go into this match full of confidence, having won the first match of their series against West Indies, whereas West Indies will try to recover and keep their series alive.

In the first T20I, Afghanistan showed strong batting after choosing to bat first. They scored 181 for 3 in 20 overs, with solid performance by Ibrahim Zadran (87* off 56) and Darwish Rasooli (84 off 59). The two players built a long partnership and controlled the innings from start to finish. For West Indies, Gudakesh Motie stood out with the ball, allowing only 18 runs in his spell. 

Pursuing the target, West Indies struggled and started losing wickets at regular intervals. They were reduced to half their side before the halfway mark. Debutant Quentin Sampson was the top scorer with 30 runs, but none of the other batters could build a big partnership. Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman led Afghanistan’s bowling attack, picking up two wickets each to seal a comfortable 38-run win.

AFG vs WI: Pitch Report

The surface in Dubai has been good for batting, especially with the new ball. Batters who settle in early can score freely. Spinners tend to get more assistance as the ball ages. Teams will try to take advantage of the power play since scoring runs gets tougher later in the innings. 

AFG vs WI: Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)

• Matches Played: 9
• Afghanistan Won: 4
• West Indies Won: 5
• Tied: 0
• No Result: 0

See Also: SA20 2025-26, Qualifier 1: SEC vs PC head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

AFG vs WI: Predicted Playing XIs

Afghanistan (AFG):

Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi

West Indies (WI):

Brandon King (c), Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles (wk), Amir Jangoo, Shimron Hetmyer, Quentin Sampson, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales

Dubai Capitals will play against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Eliminator 1 of the ILT20 2025-26 Eliminator 1 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on January 1, 2026. It is a knockout game, with the winners advancing into Qualifier 2 to take on MI Emirates and the losers out of the tournament.

Dubai Capitals missed out on a top-two finish after losing their final league match against MI Emirates, with two defeats against the same team pushing them into the Eliminator. They have looked good in patches, especially with the bat, with Jordan Cox and Rovman Powell making important contributions. But inconsistent displays in batting and bowling at crunch times have hurt their campaign.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders sealed their Eliminator spot with a crucial win over Gulf Giants in their last group game. Their batting has big names like Philip Salt, Alex Hales, and Liam Livingstone, but consistency has been an issue throughout the season. With their bowling mainly depending on Jason Holder and Ajay Kumar, ADKR will need a strong all-round effort to stay alive in this knockout match.

DC vs ADKR: Head-to-Head Record (T20s)

• Matches Played: 9
  
• Dubai Capitals Won: 8
  
• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Won: 1
  
• No Result: 0
  

DC vs ADKR: Pitch Report

The pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium has been balanced during ILT20 2025-26. Fast bowlers get early movement, while batters can score freely once they settle in. Spinners can play a role in the middle overs. A score between 160 and 170 is usually competitive, and chasing teams often have an advantage due to dew in the second innings.

See Also: BBL 2025-26 Match 18: REN vs SIX head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

DC vs ADKR: Predicted Playing XIs

Dubai Capitals (DC):

Aediqullah Atal, Shayan Jahangir (WK), Jordan Cox, Leus du Plooy, Rovman Powell, Mohammad Nabi (C), James Neesham, Waqar Salamkheil, Haider Ali, Mustafizur Rahman, Scott Currie

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR):

Philip Salt (WK), Alex Hales, Alishan Sharafu, Michael-Kyle Pepper, Liam Livingstone, Brandon McMullen, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Piyush Chawla, Ajay Kumar

The Dubai Capitals will take on the Sharjah Warriorz in Match 27 of the International League T20 (ILT20) 2025–26 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, December 24.

The Dubai Capitals have had a mixed season so far. They have won four matches and lost four from their eight games. Led by Mohammad Nabi, the Capitals are coming into this match with good confidence after strong wins against Sharjah Warriorz and Gulf Giants. A win here will help them stay solid in the playoff race.

The Sharjah Warriorz are currently at the bottom of the points table. They have struggled throughout the season but showed some fight in their last match, with a four-wicket win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Having lost two games back-to-back earlier, they would now look at building on the momentum and finishing the league stage on a high note.

DCP vs SWR: Head-to-Head Record (T20s)

• Matches Played: 5
  
• Dubai Capitals Won: 5
  
• Sharjah Warriorz Won: 0
  
• Tied / No Result: 0

DCP vs SWR: Pitch Report

The pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium tends to help both the batsmen and the bowlers. The batsmen can fetch runs if they apply themselves, while the bowlers will receive rewards for their discipline. The pitch tends to remain a well-balanced one, and the team that wins the toss would like to bowl first.

See Also: Hyundai named ICC premier partner for 2026–27 global cricket events

DCP vs SWR: Predicted Playing XIs

Dubai Capitals (DCP):

Sediqullah Atal, Shayan Jahangir (WK), Jordan Cox, Leus du Plooy, Rovman Powell, Mohammad Nabi (C), James Neesham, David Willey, Muhammad Jawadullah, Haider Ali, Mustafizur Rahman

Sharjah Warriorz (SWR):

Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Abell, Sikandar Raza (C), James Rew (WK), Dwaine Pretorius, Adil Rashid, Ethan D'Souza, Harmeet Singh, Taskin Ahmed, Wasim Akram, Nathan Sowter

The International League T20 2025-26 (ILT20), Match No. 3, will be played between Gulf Giants (GG) and MI Emirates (MIE) on Thursday, December 4, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Both of them have impressive-looking squads and will be keen to get off to a winning start in the competition.

Gulf Giants were the champions of the inaugural season of the ILT20, and their performance has seen a slump in the last two editions. The team finished third in 2023-24, then slumped to fifth position in 2024-25. This year, they will aim for a big comeback. With James Vince as captain and experienced players like Moeen Ali, Azmatullah Omarzai, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the Giants will look to start the new season in a positive way.

MI Emirates, who won the 2023-24 championship, have otherwise had mixed results in the league. Led by Kieron Pollard, the team is filled with match-winners such as Nicholas Pooran, Jonny Bairstow, Shakib Al Hasan, and Fazalhaq Farooqi. With such a strong lineup, MIE will be confident of starting their season with a victory.

GG vs MIE: Head-to-Head Record

• Total Matches Played: 5
  
• Gulf Giants Wins: 2
  
• MI Emirates Wins: 3
  
• No Result: 0

GG vs MIE: Pitch Report

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium's surface provides generous help for bowlers, particularly during the early stages of the match. There, batters need to be very cautious and not play any risky shots, as movement off the surface may create problems. The average score at this venue is approximately 140, which often proves to be competitive. Teams that bat sensibly, build partnerships, and accelerate later in the innings usually succeed here.

See Also: ILT20 2025: GG vs MIE Dream11 Prediction 03rd Match Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI

GG vs MIE: Predicted Playing XIs

Gulf Giants (GG):

Asif Khan, James Vince (C), Pathum Nissanka, Matthew Forde, Nuwan Thushara, Tabraiz Shamsi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Mayers, Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ishtiaq Ahmad.

MI Emirates (MIE):

Muhammad Waseem, Ackeem Auguste, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Kieron Pollard (C), Shakib Al Hasan, Romario Shepherd, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Nicholas Pooran, Zain Ul Abidin.

India (IND) will take on Pakistan (PAK) in the much-awaited final of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 28 at 8 PM IST. This encounter marks the first time both teams are squaring off in a summit clash of the tournament, which intensifies cricket's fiercest rivalry. It will also be their third meeting in this edition. 

 India comes into the final with great form, having not lost a game so far. Abhishek Sharma is at the top of the batting charts while Kuldeep Yadav is the leading wickettaker which highlight IND’s all-round superiority. The Men in Blue will be looking to continue the good form and capture their ninth Asia Cup title, meaning a PAK team that has lost twice to them already in 2025 will be on their radar, for a third match win in a row. 

PAK, on the other hand, will be looking to secure their third Asia Cup title, and first since 2012. Despite the fact that both losses have come to IND, they have shown fight with the help of team performances. This final, provides them with the opportune moment to get redemption from their last two games with an emphatic win.

IND vs PAK: Head-to-Head Record 

India hold a dominant record, winning over 70% of encounters against Pakistan in T20Is.

• Matches Played: 15
• Won by India: 11
• Won by Pakistan: 3
• Tied: 1

IND vs PAK: Stadium Stats

The Dubai International Stadium has historically produced balanced games, though chasing teams typically have the highest win rate under lights.

• Matches Played: 78
• Win Bat First: 41%
• Win Bowl First: 58%
• Average 1st Innings Score: 142
• Average 2nd Innings Score: 131
• Highest Total: 212/2 by India vs Afghanistan
• Lowest Total: 55/10 by West Indies vs England
• Highest Successful Chase: 184/8 by Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
• Lowest Total Defended: 135/6 by Canada vs Netherlands

See Also: Asia Cup 2025: PCB chairman personally pays Haris Rauf’s ICC fine for 6-0 gesture against India in Super 4 clash

IND vs PAK: Predicted Playing XIs

India (IND): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy

Pakistan (PAK): Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

India (IND) will play against Bangladesh (BAN) in the fourth Super 4 game of Asia Cup 2025 on Wednesday, September 24, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium at 8:00 PM IST. Both teams enter the match with their Super Four opening win. Therefore, the match has become very important as both teams will seek to put themselves in the final.

Suryakumar Yadav’s India are currently positioned atop the points table and their last match against Pakistan was a strong indicator of their form, with Abhishek Sharma’s fiery innings helping to set up a six-wicket victory, India’s second victory against their great rivals in this tournament. With four victories in four matches, the Men in Blue appear determined to make it five in a row.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh opened their Super Four journey with a valiant victory against Sri Lanka. Building on this success, Litton Das’ men will take to the field determined to upset the in-form Indians and solidify their credentials for reaching the grand finale. If they can defeat India, the points race will take another turn and make this one of the most compelling matches of the stage.

IND vs BAN: Head-to-Head

Teams India and Bangladesh have played against each other 17 times in T20Is, with India emerging as the stronger team.

• Total Matches Played: 17
• Won by India: 16
• Won by Bangladesh: 1
• No Result/Tied: 0

IND vs BAN: Stadium Stats

The Dubai International Stadium has historically produced balanced games, though chasing teams typically have the highest win rate under lights.

• Matches Played: 75
• Win Bat First: 39%
• Win Bowl First: 60%
• Average 1st Innings Score: 141
• Average 2nd Innings Score: 130
• Highest Total: 212/2 by India vs Afghanistan
• Lowest Total: 55/10 by West Indies vs England
• Highest Successful Chase: 184/8 by Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
• Lowest Total Defended: 135/6 by Canada vs Netherlands

IND vs BAN: Predicted Playing XIs

India (IND): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy

Bangladesh (BAN): Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das (c & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

See Also: Top 3 reasons why Sri Lanka lost to Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match 3

Asia Cup 2025: Super 4 Points Table

In Super 4, after the completion of three match, the points table looks like this.

India (IND) and Pakistan (PAK) will once again face off in the Super Four of the Asia Cup 2025 tournament at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 21, at 8:00 PM IST. This will be the second time both teams meet in this tournament after India comfortably beat PAK by seven wickets in the group stage. This time, there will be more at stake behind the line, if intensity is created in the first group stage matchup, there will be a lot of intensity on and off the field. 

The Men in Blue have been the team to beat, winning all three of their games in this tournament. In their last game against Oman, India won their last game by 21 runs, they were testing out their bench strength and at the same time, rotating their batting order. India began their tournament first with a comfortable 93-run win against Oman, but then they lost to India and bounced back with a 41 run win over the UAE in a must-win game. 

The last time these two teams met, India refused to shake hands with the PAK players right after the Pahalgam attack. So, with tensions still high, there will be tension again leading into this high-voltage matchup, and fans can expect an entertaining game.

IND vs PAK: Head-to-Head

India and Pakistan have faced off 14 times in T20Is, with India dominating the rivalry.

• Matches Played: 14
• Won by India: 11
• Won by Pakistan: 3

IND vs PAK: Stadium Stats

The Dubai International Stadium has historically produced balanced games, though chasing teams typically have the highest win rate under lights.

• Matches Played: 74
• Win Bat First: 39%
• Win Bowl First: 59%
• Average 1st Innings Score: 141
• Average 2nd Innings Score: 129
• Highest Total: 212/2 by India vs Afghanistan
• Lowest Total: 55/10 by West Indies vs England
• Highest Successful Chase: 184/8 by Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
• Lowest Total Defended: 135/6 by Canada vs Netherlands

IND vs PAK: Predicted Playing XIs

India (IND): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel/Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy

Pakistan (PAK): Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

See Also: Chris Gayle latest car collection ft. Bentley Continental with golden trim

Asia Cup 2025: Updated Points Table

In Super 4, after the completion of one match, the points table looks like this.

Pakistan will face off against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Match No. 10 of the current Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, 17 September. This match is a de facto knockout, as the winner will guarantee themselves a place in the Super Four.

Pakistan is coming off a tough seven-wicket loss to arch-rival India. With one win from their two matches, the Men in Green must win here to keep their campaign alive. Although they hold the advantage in net run rate from their comfortable win over Oman, losing another match could lead to their tournament exit. The UAE  on the other hand, are coming into this match with their heads held high after their victory against Oman. A win against Pakistan not only sends the Men in Green out of the tournament, but it will also help UAE make history by qualifying for the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup for the first time ever.

PAK vs UAE: Head-to-Head

Pakistan and the UAE have faced each other only a few times in T20 internationals, and Pakistan has been completely dominant.

• Matches Played: 3
• Won by Pakistan: 3
• Won by UAE: 0
• Tied: 0

PAK vs UAE: Stadium Stats

The Dubai International Stadium has historically produced balanced games, though chasing teams typically have the highest win rate under lights.

• Matches Played: 72
• Win Bat First: 37%
• Win Bowl First: 61%
• Average 1st Innings Score: 141
• Average 2nd Innings Score: 129
• Highest Total: 212/2 by India vs Afghanistan
• Lowest Total: 55/10 by West Indies vs England
• Highest Successful Chase: 184/8 by Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
• Lowest Total Defended: 135/6 by Canada vs Netherlands

PAK vs UAE: Predicted Playing XIs

Pakistan (PAK): Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed.

United Arab Emirates (UAE): Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Waseem (c), Muhammad Zohaib, Rahul Chopra (wk), Asif Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Jawadullah, Junaid Siddique.

See Also: Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan could lose millions if it withdraws over match referee dispute, says report

Asia Cup 2025: Updated Points Table

After completion of nine matches, here’s how the points table looks in both groups:

Group A

Group B

India and Pakistan will square off in a possible spark-filled Asia Cup 2025 clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, although the match will be played under exceptional security arrangements. The heightened measures come in the aftermath of the April Pahalgam terror attack and the political sensitivities that have followed. Dubai Police and the city’s Events Security Committee (ESC) have issued strict advisories for spectators, warning of heavy fines, jail terms, and zero tolerance for disorderly behavior.

The two sides last met at the same venue during the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year, where India secured a victory. However, the tensions surrounding both countries and the depression of families in Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack have made this clash more politically sensitive than originally planned. As a result, Dubai authorities have ramped up preparation with a traffic and venue plan that is very thorough.

According to the advisory, spectators are required to arrive at least three hours before kickoff, bring valid tickets, use only designated parking areas, and strictly adhere to the one-entry-per-ticket rule. Unauthorized parking and blocking nearby roads are strongly discouraged, with officials stressing that these measures are designed to ease congestion and speed up security checks.

Comprehensive Security Measures and Strict Penalties

Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations and head of the ESC, confirmed that specialised units are on standby, while organizers have tripled the security presence around the stadium. Police will patrol the perimeter, checkpoints have been strengthened, and frisking has been made more rigorous to prevent any breach. The processes are also stricter for media accreditation and anyone who breaks the rules risks losing their accreditation.

See Also: WATCH: India vice-captain seeks blessings from Abhishek Sharma’s father ahead of India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash

In addition, a wide range of items have been banned inside the venue, including fireworks, flammables, lasers, umbrellas, sharp objects, toxic substances, oversized cameras, selfie sticks, banners, remote-controlled devices, bicycles, scooters, pets, and glass items. Pitch invasions or any attempt to disrupt play will be treated as criminal offenses. Penalties range from AED 5,000 to AED 30,000 in fines, alongside potential jail terms of one to three months. For non-nationals, deportation remains a possible consequence. Authorities have urged fans and groups to exercise restraint and comply fully with the stadium rules.