The Afghanistan Cricket Board has revealed a 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka in February-March. Star leg spinner Rashid Khan has been named captain as Afghanistan prepare for another major global tournament in the subcontinent.
Ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the Afghanistan national cricket team will gear up its preparations with a three-match T20I series against the West Indies. The same team selected for the World Cup will participate in the upcoming series, providing continuity to the team ahead of the global tournament.
The series will be played in the United Arab Emirates from January 19 to January 22. Specifically, these matches are expected to help the Afghan team test the combinations, assess player form and decide their final eleven before the tournament.
Afghanistan T20 World Cup squad announced, Rashid Khan made captain, AM Ghazanfar removed
Rashid Khan will lead Afghanistan in the upcoming T20 matches. The team has been strengthened by the return of experienced all-rounder Gulbadin Naib and fast bowler Naveen Ul Haq, who have returned after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Other young talents including Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have been selected for the World Cup. Afghanistan selectors focused on experience, balance and depth as they prepare for the West Indies series and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Squads for the West Indies series and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026:
Rashid Khan (Captain), Ibrahim Zadran (VC), Rehmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Mohammad Ishaq (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Umarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmed, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Naveen Ul Haq, Fazal Haq Farooqui and Abdullah Ahmedzai.
Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai and Zia ur Rehman Sharifi
ACB confident before T20 World Cup 2026
Afghanistan Cricket Board officials are confident about the team’s prospects in the T20 World Cup 2026. CEO Naseeb Khan said that Asian conditions will be favorable for Afghanistan.
Naseeb Khan said, “Afghanistan performed brilliantly in the last edition of the T20 World Cup. We cherish the excellent memories of the past and hope for even better results this year, which will be played in Asian conditions. Hosting the West Indies team gives us an incredible opportunity to fine-tune our combination and prepare adequately for the World Cup.”
Chief selector Ahmed Shah Sulaimankhil said the return of Gulbadin Naib would boost the team due to his big-match experience, while the return of Naveen Ul Haq would strengthen the pace attack. Sulaimankhil also admitted that AM Ghazanfar missed out on making room for Mujeeb ur Rahman.
Shah Sulaimankhil said, “Over the last few days we had good discussions and finalized the squad. Gulbadin Naib is a big-match player and his return is a boost to our team. We are also happy with the return of Naveen Ul Haq, who adds to the quality of our fast bowling.”
“It was a difficult decision to drop AM Ghazanfar from the main squad, as his place made way for Mujeeb. Shahidullah Kamal performed well in the recent event and provides us with a valuable left-arm option, which is important in major tournaments.”
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