Day: February 16, 2026

Afghanistan kept their own slim hopes alive with a tense five-wicket win in New Delhi, powered by an all-round performance from Azmatullah Omarzai. The 24-year-old starred with the ball, claiming 4-15 as the UAE posted 160-9, before guiding the chase with an unbeaten 40, News.Az report, citing foreign media.
Afghanistan reached 162-5 with four balls remaining, sealing their first win of the tournament and boosting their chances of advancing.
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The result ensured that South Africa, semi-finalists in 2024, became the third team to book a Super Eights berth, joining the West Indies cricket team and co-hosts India national cricket team.
Despite the win, Afghanistan’s path to the next round remains complicated. They must secure a comprehensive victory over Canada in their final group match on Thursday and rely on other results to surpass New Zealand national cricket team for second place in Group C.
“Next game, you never know, it’s a T20 game. We’ll have to come up with a good brand of cricket, irrespective of the chances of making it to the Super Eights,” said Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan. “We want to make the country and our people proud and happy.”
New Zealand can confirm their own qualification and eliminate Afghanistan with a victory over Canada on Tuesday in Chennai.
In Monday’s match, Sohaib Khan top-scored for the UAE with 68, sharing an 84-run partnership for the third wicket with Alishan Sharafu, who contributed 40. Medium pacer Muhammad Arfan removed Ibrahim Zadran in the 14th over to leave Afghanistan at 97-4, shifting momentum toward the UAE.
However, Darwish Rasooli and Omarzai steadied the chase with a crucial 43-run fifth-wicket stand. Rasooli fell for 33 in the 18th over, but Omarzai held his nerve, striking the winning boundary to complete a hard-fought victory and keep Afghanistan’s campaign alive.

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According to the military, the simultaneous assaults targeted Pulka, near the Cameroon border, and Mandaragirau in southern Borno, both areas that have long been key battlegrounds in the fight against insurgent groups. Borno state remains the center of Nigeria’s nearly two-decade insurgency involving Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), News.Az reports, citing Reuters.
Military officials said militants launched a multi-directional attack on the Mandaragirau base using armed vehicles and motorcycles. Nigerian forces, who had anticipated the strike, responded with heavy resistance and prevented militants from taking control of the base. The army confirmed that some soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed, while several injured personnel were evacuated for medical treatment.
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In the second incident, fighters linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP temporarily entered a military position in Pulka late Saturday, damaging accommodation facilities and some equipment. However, reinforcements helped Nigerian troops push the militants back and regain full control of the area.
The military said intelligence from the battlefield suggested militant groups suffered significant losses during the clashes. Follow-up security operations reportedly uncovered abandoned equipment and other signs of retreating fighters.
The attacks highlight the continued security challenges facing Nigeria’s northeast, where insurgent groups have recently stepped up attacks against both military targets and civilians.
The clashes come months after U.S. airstrikes targeted militant positions in northwestern Nigeria in December, following orders from U.S. President Donald Trump. U.S. officials have signaled that further military action could be considered if militant activity escalates.

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