AFG vs WI 1st T20I Playing 11: Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan will square off against Brandon King-led West Indies in the 1st T20I match of the series on January 19 at Dubai International Stadium.

The series will be crucial as both sides prepare for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 next month. Considering the spin-friendly surface, Afghanistan will be competitive at the venue.

Ahead of the start of the series, Afghanistan has sustained a blow with the injury of Naveen-ul Haq, who has been ruled out of the marquee event.

Afghanistan and West Indies has met on 8 occasions where the latter has 5 wins while Afghans has won on three occasions. Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat.

Afghanistan has recently appointed Toby Radford and Robert Ahmun as their batting coach and strength & conditioning trainer ahead of the series who will will be working with the team during the series and the marquee event in India and Sri Lanka.

The 25 year old Quentin Sampson has received his first T20I cap from Hetmyer who is a batter from Guyana who was impressive in the CPL last year.

AFG vs WI 1st T20I Playing 11

Afghanistan Playing 11: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan(c), Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi

West Indies Playing 11: Brandon King(c), Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles(w), Amir Jangoo, Shimron Hetmyer, Quentin Sampson, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales