Rashid Khan will captain Afghanistan at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officially announced a 15-player squad for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The same group of players will also represent Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series against the West Indies.
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Scheduled to begin on January 19, 2026, in the UAE, serving as key preparation ahead of the global event. The squad announcement includes several notable returns, highlighted by the comeback of experienced all-rounder Gulbadin Naib and fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq.
Both players bring valuable experience and balance to the team at a time. When Afghanistan is aiming to build on the momentum they generated in recent ICC tournaments. Naveen’s return is particularly significant, as he has recovered from a shoulder injury that kept him out of international cricket for more than a year.
He last appeared in a T20 international in December 2024 and was also forced to miss the Asia Cup in September due to the same issue. Another boost for Afghanistan’s pace attack is the inclusion of left-arm quick Fazalhaq Farooqi. Who missed the recent white-ball series against Bangladesh?
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T20 World Cup: Fast-Bowling Boost for Afghanistan
His return strengthens the fast-bowling department, giving Rashid Khan more options with the new ball and at the death. Alongside Naveen, Farooqi adds variety and experience to a bowling unit that will be tested against some of the strongest batting line-ups in the tournament.
One of the key selection decisions saw off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman recalled to the main squad. Replacing young mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar, who has been named among the reserves. While Ghazanfar impressed in recent outings, the selectors opted for Mujeeb’s proven ability and big-tournament experience.
The reserves list also includes Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, providing cover should injuries or form issues arise closer to the competition. ACB chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil explained the thinking behind the selections. Describing Gulbadin Naib as a big-match player whose return significantly strengthens the side.
He also welcomed Naveen-ul-Haq back into the fold, saying his presence raises the overall quality of Afghanistan’s fast bowling. Sulimankhil admitted that leaving AM Ghazanfar out of the main squad was a difficult call.
But stressed that the final balance of the team required Mujeeb’s inclusion. The squad also sees the return of wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq, who was not part of the T20I side that toured Zimbabwe earlier in the year.
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T20 World Cup Final: Mohammad Ishaq Emerges as Promising Wicketkeeper
The 20-year-old featured in a one-off T20I against Qatar and has continued to develop as a promising option behind the stumps. In contrast, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Bashir Ahmad, and Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai. All of whom were part of the Zimbabwe series squad, have been left out of the main group for the World Cup.
Afghanistan has been drawn in Group D of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. They will face New Zealand, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada. It is a challenging group, but one that also offers opportunities for an Afghan side that has shown it can compete with and defeat higher-ranked teams.
Their campaign will begin on February 8 with a high-profile clash against New Zealand in Chennai. Afghanistan will enter the tournament with confidence after their historic run at the 2024 T20 World Cup. They reached the semi-finals for the first time in an ICC event.
During that tournament, they produced a series of stunning upsets, defeating established teams such as New Zealand, West Indies, Australia, and Bangladesh. That breakthrough performance has raised expectations, both within the squad and among fans. That Afghanistan can once again challenge the world’s best.
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