Afghanistan continued their dominant form against West Indies on Wednesday, securing a 2-0 lead in the three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series with a commanding 39-run victory at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Darwish Rasooli once again starred with the bat, scoring a brilliant 68, while Sediqullah Atal contributed 53, helping Afghanistan post a formidable 189 for four in their 20 overs. Off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman then tormented the West Indies’ batting line-up, ensuring that the regional side struggled to keep pace in their chase.

West Indies, ranked sixth in the ICC T20I standings, found themselves under pressure early, losing three wickets for just 38 runs in the first eight overs. Alick Athanaze was run out by a direct throw from Ibrahim Zadran, while Ur Rahman dismissed Evin Lewis for 13 and Johnson Charles for a first-ball duck in successive deliveries.

Captain Brandon King and Shimron Hetmyer briefly steadied the innings with a 68-run partnership. Hetmyer’s explosive 46 off 17 balls, featuring multiple sixes off Afghanistan spinners Noor Ahmad and Nabi, briefly gave the Windies hope. King also reached a half-century before falling for 50 off 42 deliveries.

However, Afghanistan’s bowlers regained control swiftly. Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed Hetmyer in the covers, and the last five wickets added only 28 runs as the West Indies were bowled out for 150 in 18.5 overs.

The result leaves Afghanistan, currently ranked four places below the Windies, with an unassailable lead in the series. The final T20I is scheduled for Thursday, with Afghanistan already having secured the series victory.

Afghanistan’s blend of aggressive batting and incisive spin bowling once again proved too much for the Caribbean side, continuing a trend that began with Sunday’s series opener. Rasooli’s consistency and Mujeeb’s control over the middle overs were key in putting the visitors on the back foot and ultimately sealing the series.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday strongly condemned a deadly attack on a restaurant in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, that killed seven people, including a Chinese national, and injured several others.

In a statement, Council members denounced what they described as a “heinous terrorist attack” that took place on Monday, January 19 at a restaurant in the commercial Shahr-e-Naw district.

The attack was claimed by ISIL-K (Daesh) and resulted in the deaths of six Afghan citizens and one Chinese national, while a number of others, including a child, were wounded.

The Council expressed its deepest sympathy to the people and governments of Afghanistan and China, offering condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a swift and full recovery to those injured.

Reaffirming its long-held position, the Security Council said terrorism in all its forms remains one of the most serious threats to peace and security in Afghanistan and globally. It stressed the need to hold those responsible for terrorist acts — including perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors — accountable and bring them to justice.

The statement urged all countries to cooperate with relevant authorities in line with international law and existing UN Security Council resolutions to combat terrorism.

Council members also reiterated that all acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of motivation or circumstance, and underscored the importance of addressing threats to international peace and security in accordance with the UN Charter, international law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law.

Afghan authorities said the blast occurred at a Chinese restaurant in Kabul. Police spokesman Khalid Zahran said the explosion happened at around 3 p.m. local time and that investigations into the cause of the blast were ongoing.

Alexander Matheou, the Asia-Pacific Regional Director of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), met with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, to discuss humanitarian assistance and cooperation.

The meeting focused on emergency aid for returning Afghan refugees and people affected by natural disasters, as well as support for basic needs and the health sector, according to a statement released by Foreign Ministry.

Muttaqi said the Islamic Emirate has given special attention to managing the return of refugees and has mobilized available resources to support the process. He also thanked the IFRC for its assistance to returnees and disaster-affected communities, and praised Afghan institutions for ensuring the timely delivery of aid.

Matheou briefed the minister on the IFRC’s humanitarian activities in Afghanistan over the past year, noting that global humanitarian funding has declined. He said his visit aimed to collect relevant information and engage with partners to help reduce gaps in humanitarian assistance.

He described cooperation with Afghan authorities—particularly the Afghan Red Crescent Society—as effective and expressed hope for further strengthening collaboration.