Darwish Rasooli Blazes 84 as Afghanistan Dominate T20 World Cup Warm-Ups

Afghanistan batter Darwish Rasooli emerged as the standout performer in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up games, delivering a commanding display against Scotland. Meanwhile, Italy grabbed attention with a hard-fought win over Canada, underlining their readiness for the global stage.

Afghanistan Crush Scotland with All-Round Dominance

Afghanistan registered a convincing 61-run victory over Scotland, powered by a sensational knock from Darwish Rasooli. The right-hander smashed 84 off just 46 balls before retiring out, setting the foundation for a strong total of 184/6 in 20 overs.

Rasooli and Nabi Set the Tone with Bat and Ball

Darwish’s aggressive innings was well supported by Mohammad Nabi, who chipped in with a quick 34 off 16 deliveries. Nabi later made his impact with the ball, returning figures of 2/9, as Afghanistan tightened the screws on Scotland throughout the chase.

Scottish Batters Fail to Capitalise on Starts

Scotland struggled to convert promising starts, with Matthew Cross and Michael Jones top-scoring with 21 each. Ziaur Rahman picked up 2/20, while Azmatullah Omarzai was the standout bowler, claiming 3/14 to dismantle the Scottish middle order.

USA Show Fight but Fall Short Against India A

In Navi Mumbai, the USA put up a spirited performance but were outgunned by a strong India A side. Wicketkeeper Narayan Jagadeesan starred with a brilliant 104, guiding India A to a massive 238/3, while skipper Ayush Badoni added an unbeaten 60 off 26 balls.

USA Batters Impress Despite Heavy Target

Chasing 239, the USA showed intent despite regular wickets. Andries Gous scored a steady 44 at the top, while Sanjay Krishnamurthi’s explosive 41 off 18 balls, including four sixes, kept the contest alive. Ravi Bishnoi’s experience shone through with figures of 3/37, before Naman Dhir wrapped up the innings.

Italy Register Narrow Win Over Canada

Italy warmed up for their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup debut with a narrow 10-run win over Canada in Chennai. Justin and Anthony Mosca provided a brisk start, scoring 22 each, before JJ Smuts anchored the innings with 49 off 37 balls.

Italian Bowlers Hold Nerve in Final Over

Harry Manenti’s unbeaten 33 helped Italy post 156/4. In reply, Dilpreet Bajwa (37) and Yuvraj Samra (33) gave Canada hope, but disciplined bowling from Benjamin Manenti and Ali Hasan pushed the required rate up. Needing 16 off the final over, Canada fell short despite Nicholas Kirton’s late effort.

Warm-Up Matches Offer Strong Signals Ahead of World Cup

With Rasooli’s red-hot form, Afghanistan look well-prepared, while Italy’s composed performance against Canada signals their intent ahead of their World Cup debut. The warm-up fixtures delivered early excitement and valuable momentum for teams heading into the tournament.