Kabul, 31.12.2025 – The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officially unveiled its 15-member squad on Wednesday for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, alongside the preceding three-match T20 International series against the West Indies.
As anticipated, the dynamic leg-spinner and global T20 superstar, Rashid Khan, will captain the side. The mega event is scheduled to commence on February 7, 2026, and will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Squad Composition and Key Returns
The squad features a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent. In a significant boost, express fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq has earned a recall after successfully recovering from a recent injury. His return adds crucial firepower and death-bowling experience to the pace attack.
Meanwhile, promising young batter Abdullah Ahmadzai is in line to make his maiden appearance on the World Cup stage, signaling the team’s investment in future talent.
Notable Selections and Core Strength
The lineup is built around Afghanistan’s traditional spin-bowling strength. Alongside captain Rashid Khan, the wizardly Mujeeb Ur Rahman and the crafty Mohammad Nabi provide a formidable trio of world-class spinners. The batting unit will heavily rely on the explosive starts of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) and the consistent Ibrahim Zadran, with the experienced Najibullah Zadran serving as the finisher.
The pace department, led by the returning Naveen-ul-Haq, includes Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai, offering a mix of swing and all-round capability.
Group Stage Challenge and Itinerary
Afghanistan finds itself in Group D, a competitive pool featuring South Africa, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Canada. The team will open its World Cup campaign against New Zealand on February 8, 2026, at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The ACB emphasized that the preceding home T20I series against the West Indies, scheduled for January, will serve as vital preparation and final tuning for the global tournament.
Full Squad:
Rashid Khan (Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Nangeyalia Kharote, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai.
Reserve Players: .
The announcement has generated considerable excitement among Afghan fans, who will be hoping their team can build on past performances and make a deep run in the tournament.
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