Rashid Khan to lead as Afghanistan announces strong squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), on Wednesday, December 31, named the 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to start on Saturday, February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

Premium spinner Rashid Khan will continue to lead the 15-player squad, which also has three reserves. It’s worth noting that this squad will also take on in the upcoming three-match T20I series against West Indies.

While the veteran all-rounder Gulbadin Naib has returned to the squad, the star pacer Naveen-ul-Haq has also made his comeback from a shoulder injury. Moreover, Fazalhaq Farooqi, who was ruled out of the recent series against Bangladesh, returned to the squad.

Match-winning spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman has replaced AM Ghazanfar in the squad, with the latter named in the reserves for the showpiece event. Chief Selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil has stated that it was a tough decision to leave out Ghazanfar from the main squad.

"Gulbadin Naib is a big-match player, and his return boosts our team. We are also pleased to have Naveen-ul-Haq back, which enhances the quality of our fast bowling. It was a tough decision to leave AM Ghazanfar out of the main squad, as his place made way for Mujeeb,” ACB Chief Selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said after announcing the squad.

Afghanistan will start their campaign against New Zealand on Sunday, February 8 in Chennai.

Afghanistan squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 

Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen Ul Haq, Mohammad Ishaq, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran. 

Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai, and Ziaur Rahman Sharifi.

Afghanistan's group stage fixtures:

vs New Zealand: February 8, Chennai

vs South Africa: February 11, Ahmedabad

vs UAE: February 16, Delhi

vs Canada: February 19, Chennai

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at Sky365 and download the Sky365 App to start betting today!