Afghanistan vs India 1st T20I 2026: Result, Highlights and Scorecard
Published on September 13, 2026
Summary Overview: Abhishek Sharma smashed 82 off 32 balls as India chased down 157 with ease to beat Afghanistan by 7 wickets in the 1st T20I in Delhi. Azmatullah Omarzai made 64.
Abhishek Sharma Masterclass Powers India to a 7-Wicket Rout
Who won and by how much?
India won by 7 wickets, chasing down 157 in just 13.4 overs with more than six overs to spare.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Opener Abhishek Sharma, whose stunning 82 off 32 balls turned the chase into a stroll.
What is the key takeaway?
Despite a brilliant rescue act from Azmatullah Omarzai, Afghanistan never had enough runs, and India's batting firepower made light work of the target.
Match Report: India Turn a Chase Into a Statement
India could not have asked for a better start to the series. In the first T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, they crushed Afghanistan by 7 wickets, powered by a jaw-dropping innings from opener Abhishek Sharma that made a chase of 157 look almost effortless.
For readers new to the format: in a T20I each side bats for 20 overs, and the team batting second simply needs to pass the first team's total. India did that with room to spare, reaching the target in only 13.4 of their 20 overs.
Afghanistan Wobble, Then Omarzai Rescues
Put in to bat after losing the toss, Afghanistan were in deep trouble early. Jasprit Bumrah, back in T20I colours, struck in the very first over to remove the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck, and the wickets kept tumbling. New captain Ibrahim Zadran was run out, and by the end of the powerplay (the first six overs, when fielding is restricted) Afghanistan had slumped to a dismal 43 for 5.
That the total ended up respectable at all was down to one man. Azmatullah Omarzai produced a superb counterattacking innings of 64 not out off 44 balls, refusing to let the innings fall apart. He found a willing partner in veteran Mohammad Nabi (33), and their sixth-wicket stand of 83 dragged Afghanistan to a fighting 156 for 8.
For India, Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 19, while Bumrah, Axar Patel and the miserly Varun Chakaravarthy (1 for 16) all chipped in.
Abhishek Sharma Takes Over
Any hope Afghanistan had of defending 157 lasted only a few overs. Abhishek Sharma came out with pure intent and simply took the game away, racing to a fifty in no time and treating even Afghanistan's celebrated spinners with disdain.
He finished with 82 off just 32 balls, a strike rate of over 250, laced with seven fours and seven sixes. He added 121 for the second wicket with Ishan Kishan (42), a partnership that came off just 53 balls and effectively ended the contest. India raced to 82 runs in the powerplay alone, a phenomenal rate that left Afghanistan with nowhere to hide.
Even the world-class Rashid Khan could not stem the flow, going wicketless. When Abhishek finally fell, captain Shreyas Iyer simply strolled in to finish the job, with India home at 157 for 3 and a 1-0 series lead secured.
Turning Point
The match was effectively decided in the six overs of India's powerplay. Afghanistan's 156 was always likely to be a few runs short, but it might have made for a contest had India started cautiously. Instead, Abhishek Sharma attacked from ball one and blasted India to 82 for 1 inside the powerplay. That barrage removed any pressure from the chase entirely, and with the required rate demolished so early, Afghanistan's spinners were left bowling to batters with nothing to lose.
Stat Corner
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Performance |
| Abhishek Sharma | India | 82 (32), 7 fours, 7 sixes |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | Afghanistan | 64 not out (44) |
| Ishan Kishan | India | 42 (33) |
| Arshdeep Singh | India | 3 for 19 |
| Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan | 33 (27), plus 2 for 28 |
nnings Snapshot
| Metric | Afghanistan | India |
| Total | 156 for 8 (20 overs) | 157 for 3 (13.4 overs) |
| Run Rate | 7.80 | 11.49 |
| Powerplay Runs | 41 | 82 |
| Best Bowler | Mohammad Nabi 2-28 | Arshdeep Singh 3-19 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the 1st T20I?
India beat Afghanistan by 7 wickets, chasing 157 in only 13.4 overs to go 1-0 up in the series.
How many did Abhishek Sharma score?
Abhishek Sharma smashed 82 off 32 balls with seven fours and seven sixes and was named Player of the Match.
Who top-scored for Afghanistan?
Azmatullah Omarzai carried the innings with an unbeaten 64 off 44 balls.
How did Jasprit Bumrah fare on his return?
Bumrah struck in his first over, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck, and finished with 1 for 26.
Did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play?
No, the teenage star was named on the bench for the first T20I as India went with a settled top order.
Related Guides and Series Coverage
📋 Afghanistan vs India T20I Series 2026 Full Schedule and Results