Afghanistan vs West Indies, 1st Match Pitch Report - Match Overview & Playing XI | Afghanistan vs West Indies Tour, 2026

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CFLL Staff

Published on

19 January 2026 | 09:03AM
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The opening match of the Afghanistan vs West Indies Tour 2026 will see Afghanistan take on West Indies at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on 19 January 2026, starting at 08:00 PM. This fixture marks an important beginning to the series, with both teams eager to set the tone early. Fans tracking the AFG vs WI Live Score can expect an exciting contest, especially given Sharjah’s history of producing closely fought and high-impact matches.


Afghanistan come into this match with a well-balanced squad that blends solid top-order batting with a strong core of all-rounders and quality spin options. Their batting unit focuses on building partnerships, while the middle order provides stability and acceleration when needed. Afghanistan’s bowling strength lies in their ability to control the game through spin and smart variations, particularly on slower surfaces.


West Indies, on the other hand, bring power and aggression into this contest. Their batting lineup is known for explosive stroke play, capable of changing the course of a match in a few overs. Alongside this firepower, West Indies have added depth through versatile all-round options and a pace attack that can extract bounce and movement. As the match unfolds, the AFG vs WI Live Score will reflect a battle between Afghanistan’s control and West Indies’ attacking flair.

Afghanistan vs West Indies, 1st Match Details

Series

Afghanistan vs West Indies Tour, 2026

Match

Afghanistan vs West Indies

Date & Time

19 January 2026, 08:00 PM

Venue

Sharjah Cricket Stadium

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Afghanistan vs West Indies, 1st Match Weather Condition

09:00 am

Cloud

0%

Humidity

60%

Wind

10.1 km/h

21.2

o

Sunny

Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Sharjah Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

Pitch Condition

--

Batting Condition

Average

Pace Bowling

Average

Spin Bowling

Average

Pace vs Spin on Venue

(Last 10 match)

The Sharjah Cricket Stadium pitch is traditionally known for being slow and assisting spinners as the game progresses. Early in the innings, batters who apply themselves can score freely, but timing becomes challenging once the surface starts to wear. Spinners and bowlers using cutters often find success, especially in the middle overs. Short boundaries can still result in quick runs, making strike rotation and smart shot selection crucial. Teams batting first usually aim for a competitive total, knowing that chasing under lights can become tricky if the pitch slows down further.

Afghanistan Recent form

Last 5 Matches

WWWLL
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West Indies Recent form

Last 5 Matches

LALLW
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Venue Scoring Pattern

Avg 1st Innings

156

X

130

Avg 2st Innings

Highest Total

215-6 by ZIM vs AFG

X

38-10 by PAK vs HK

Lowest Total

Highest Chased

206-8 by UAE vs BAN

X

132-7 by AFG vs SCO

Lowest Defended

Matches Won
Batting First

26

51%
|
49%
Bowling First

25

Afghanistan vs West Indies, 1st Match Squad

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Afghanistan Probable XI :

Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi

West Indies Probable XI :

Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Alick Athanaze, Justin Greaves, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph

Conclusion

The AFG vs WI clash promises to be a fascinating start to the tour. Afghanistan will look to use their familiarity with subcontinental conditions and disciplined bowling to restrict scoring and control the tempo. West Indies, meanwhile, will aim to impose themselves with aggressive batting and early momentum. Key phases such as the powerplay and middle overs are likely to decide the outcome. With contrasting styles on display, fans following the AFG vs WI Live Score should be prepared for a competitive and entertaining encounter that could go down to the final overs.