The Afghanistan Cricket Board has officially announced its squad for the highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2026, generating significant buzz in the cricketing world. This crucial declaration comes ahead of the new year, setting the stage for Afghanistan's preparations for the global tournament, while the team's leadership has been entrusted to the formidable Rashid Khan, a veteran spinner with an impressive record of over 600 wickets in T20 cricket, underscoring his pivotal role in the squad.
Rashid Khan Takes the Helm as Captain
Rashid Khan, renowned globally for his mesmerizing leg-spin and impactful lower-order. Hitting, will lead the Afghanistan team in the T20 World Cup 2026. His appointment as captain is a testament to his vast experience and profound understanding of the T20 format. With an astonishing tally of over 600 wickets in T20 cricket, Khan brings unparalleled expertise and strategic acumen to the captaincy role. His ability to influence matches with both bat and ball, combined with his calm demeanor under pressure, makes him an ideal choice to guide the Afghan contingent on the international stage, while the responsibility of navigating the team through a challenging tournament like the T20 World Cup will be immense, and his proven track record suggests he's well-equipped to handle the demands of leadership. His strategic decisions and ability to inspire his teammates will be crucial for Afghanistan's campaign.
Key Returns: Gulbadin Naib and Naveen-ul-Haq Back in Action
Adding significant strength to the squad is the return of all-rounder Gulbadin Naib and fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, both making a comeback after a year-long absence due to shoulder injuries. Naveen-ul-Haq last played a T20I match in December 2024 against Zimbabwe in Harare, while their return is a major boost for the team, as Naveen's pace and wicket-taking ability will bolster the fast-bowling attack, while Naib's all-round capabilities will provide crucial balance to the squad. The experience and skill set of these two players will. Be vital in a high-stakes tournament like the T20 World Cup. Their recovery from injury and subsequent return to form will be closely watched and will play a significant role in Afghanistan's performance.
Pre-Tournament Series Against West Indies
As part of their preparations for the T20 World Cup, Afghanistan is scheduled to play a three-match T20I series against West Indies, while this series will be hosted by Afghanistan in the UAE from January 19 to 22. The same squad selected for the World Cup will feature in this preparatory series, providing an invaluable opportunity for the players to gain match practice and fine-tune their strategies. Playing against a strong opponent like West Indies will allow the team to assess their strengths and weaknesses, experiment with combinations, and build cohesion before the main event, while this series will be crucial for the team management to finalize their playing XI and ensure all players are in optimal form.
Squad Composition: A Blend of Youth and Experience
The 15-member squad announced by Afghanistan features a balanced mix of promising young talent and seasoned campaigners. Shahidullah Kamal and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Ishaq have retained their places in the team, indicating their consistent performances. Young fast bowler Abdullah Ahmadzai has also been included, highlighting the board's focus on nurturing future talent. Fazalhaq Farooqi is another key pacer who has secured a spot in the 15-man squad. The presence of a prominent spinner like Mujeeb Ur Rahman further strengthens the bowling attack, which led to AM Ghazanfar being placed in the reserve pool alongside Ejaz Ahmadzai and promising young fast bowler Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi. This diverse composition aims to provide flexibility and depth to the team across various match situations.
Afghanistan's Challenge in Pool D
In the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Afghanistan has been placed in Pool D, alongside formidable teams such as New Zealand, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada. This promises to be a challenging group, requiring Afghanistan to perform at their peak in every match. The Afghan team is scheduled to play its first match on February 8 in Chennai against New Zealand, while this opening encounter will be a significant test for the team and will set the tone for their campaign in the tournament. Navigating through a pool with strong contenders will demand consistent high-level performances and strategic brilliance from Rashid Khan's side.
Afghanistan Squad for West Indies Series and T20 World Cup 2026:
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, and Abdullah Ahmadzai.
AM Ghazanfar, Ejaz Ahmadzai, and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi. This comprehensive squad and the reserves represent Afghanistan's aspirations for success in the upcoming series and the prestigious T20 World Cup.
