2024 T20 World Cup semi-finalists Afghanistan are set to make a big announcement ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. If reports are to be believed, former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik will be appointed as his mentor for the major tournament.
On Monday, February 2, it was reported that the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is all set to appoint Dinesh Karthik as their mentor for the T20 World Cup 2026, which will be a big decision by the cricket board.
Dinesh Karthik is ready to join Afghanistan cricket team for T20 World Cup 2026
Since the rise of the Afghanistan cricket team, they have developed themselves into one of the most astonishing packages in T20 Internationals. Even in the upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup, he can be considered as the dark horse in the title race. Karthik, with all his experience in this particular format, can be very useful to the team.
Dinesh Karthik will be announced as the mentor of the Afghanistan team for T20I WC 2026. pic.twitter.com/vCNmNL85GA
– ACB Extra (@acb_190) 2 February 2026
Last year, Dinesh Karthik had one of the most memorable moments as a coach and a former cricketer as a member of the coaching staff. He helped Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) win their first Indian Premier League title. Karthik was the batting coach and mentor of RCB for the IPL 2025 season. The title win proves that the former cricketer is one of the best in terms of roles. He is also expected to join the Afghanistan cricket team as a mentor.
ACB also announced the appointment of new faces
Earlier this year, the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced the appointments of Toby Radford and Robert Ahmun. Radford has been appointed the national team’s batting coach, while Ahmun is working as the strength and conditioning trainer. Karthik will join Radford and Ahmun under the tutelage of head coach and former England cricketer Jonathan Trott.
Afghanistan, placed in Group D, will begin their T20 World Cup 2026 journey on February 8 after a few practice matches. They are in a competitive group as they face New Zealand, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and Canada respectively. According to the rules, two teams from each group will qualify for the next round, which is the eighth round.
Tough challenge before Afghanistan cricket team
If Afghanistan wants to remain in the title race, it will have to defeat New Zealand or South Africa. On paper, New Zealand and South Africa are favorites to top the Group D points table. Rashid Khan and his boys are preparing for the upcoming matches.
Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup group fixtures:
vs New Zealand: 8 February, Chennai
vs South Africa: 11 February, Ahmedabad
vs UAE: 16 February, Delhi
vs Canada: February 19, Chennai
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