Arjit Kumar - Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025Afghanistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2026: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced its 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka next year. Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan will once again lead the team. Notably, this same team will also play a three-match T20 series against West Indies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) just before the World Cup.
Squad strengthened by the return of key bowlers: Several big names have returned to the Afghan squad. Left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi and experienced all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, who were left out of the Bangladesh tour in October, have returned to the team. The return of fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, who missed the Asia Cup due to a shoulder injury, has further strengthened the pace attack. Naveen last played a T20 match against Zimbabwe in December 2024.
Mujeeb's return and Ghazanfar in reserves: Off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman has returned to the team, which has resulted in mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar being placed on the reserve list. Besides Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi have also been kept as standby players.
Hopes for better performance in Asian conditions: Afghanistan's journey in the 2024 T20 World Cup was historic, where they defeated formidable teams like Australia and New Zealand to reach the semi-finals for the first time. ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said, "The last season was fantastic. We hope that this time the results will be even better in Asian conditions (India and Sri Lanka). The series against West Indies will give us a chance to select our best playing XI."
T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule for Afghanistan: Afghanistan has been placed in Group D, where they will compete against New Zealand, South Africa, UAE, and Canada. The team will play its first match against New Zealand in Chennai on February 8.
Afghanistan's 15-member squad: Rashid Khan (captain), Ibrahim Zadran (vice-captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Ishaq (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai
Reserve Players: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Zia ur Rahman Sharifi.
