Afghanistan’s preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup have taken a serious hit. After fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq was ruled out of the tournament due to injury. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed that Naveen will undergo surgery at the end of January.
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Which also means he will miss Afghanistan’s three-match T20 series against the West Indies scheduled for next week. While the board has acknowledged the setback, it has not yet revealed the exact nature of his injury. Leaving fans and analysts speculating about the extent of the problem.
Naveen-ul-Haq’s absence is a major concern for Afghanistan because he has been one of the team’s most reliable. And experienced bowlers in the shortest format of the game. Over the years, he has played a crucial role in building Afghanistan’s reputation as a competitive T20 side. Particularly with his ability to bowl effectively in the powerplay and at the death.
His loss forces Captain Rashid Khan and the team management to rethink their bowling combinations. And the overall strategy just weeks before the World Cup begins.
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T20 World Cup 2026:Afghanistan Weigh Replacement Options as World Cup Nears
These include mystery spinner A M Ghazanfar, all-rounder Ijaz Ahmadzai, and fast bowler Zia-ur-Rehman Sharifi. Officials have said the situation is being closely monitored, with the priority being to ensure the team remains competitive despite losing such a key player. However, finding someone who can immediately fill Naveen’s role will be a tough task.
From a performance perspective, the timing of this injury could hardly be worse. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7 in India, and Afghanistan have been placed in Group D, which features strong opponents. Analysts believe that the absence of a frontline fast bowler could have a significant impact in high-pressure group matches.
Where small margins often decide results. Afghanistan were hoping to build on their impressive run at the T20 World Cup 2024. Where they reached the semi-finals, and this setback threatens to slow that momentum. Naveen’s importance to the team is reflected in his impressive record.
He is Afghanistan’s leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals, with 67 wickets in 48 matches at an excellent average of 18.73. His last appearance for Afghanistan came in December 2024. Although he featured in Major League Cricket in 2025 and performed well. He missed the Asia Cup later that year due to a shoulder issue.
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T20 World Cup Final: India-New Zealand Series Offers Crucial World Cup Preparation
His most recent competitive outing was for MI Emirates in the ILT20, making his long-term fitness an ongoing concern. While Afghanistan deals with injury troubles. India has also been forced to make changes to their T20I squad ahead of their five-match series against New Zealand.
Which serves as preparation for the World Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Ravi Bishnoi and Shreyas Iyer have been added to the squad for the first three T20Is. They replace Washington Sundar and Tilak Varma, both of whom are sidelined with injuries.
Washington Sundar suffered discomfort in his lower rib area while bowling during the first ODI against New Zealand. After undergoing scans, he was diagnosed with a side strain and advised to rest for a few days. He will then report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for further treatment.
Tilak Varma, meanwhile, is recovering from abdominal surgery, prompting Shreyas Iyer’s inclusion in the squad. India and New Zealand will face off in the first T20I on Wednesday at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha. The series is an important opportunity for both sides to fine-tune their combinations ahead of the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
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