The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially announced its 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The squad will also participate in a three-match T20I series against West Indies in the UAE as preparation for the global tournament.
Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2026 Squad
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | Captain, Leg-Spinner |
| Ibrahim Zadran | Vice-Captain, Batter |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Mohammad Ishaq | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Sediqullah Atal | All-Rounder |
| Darwish Rasooli | Batter |
| Shahidullah Kamal | Batter |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | All-Rounder |
| Gulbadin Naib | All-Rounder |
| Mohammad Nabi | All-Rounder |
| Noor Ahmad | Bowler |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Mystery Spinner |
| Naveen-ul-Haq | Fast Bowler |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Left-Arm Pacer |
| Abdullah Ahmadzai | Bowler |
Key Comebacks and Selections
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Fazalhaq Farooqi and Gulbadin Naib return after missing Afghanistan’s Bangladesh tour.
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Mujeeb Ur Rahman joins, while young spinner AM Ghazanfar is named among reserves alongside Ijaz Ahmadzai and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.
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Naveen-ul-Haq returns after a shoulder injury; his last T20I was against Zimbabwe in December 2024.
Afghanistan’s Recent T20 Success
Afghanistan made history in the 2024 T20 World Cup, reaching the semi-finals for the first time in an ICC tournament. They recorded wins over New Zealand, West Indies, Australia, and Bangladesh, establishing themselves as a serious T20 contender.
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan emphasized that the upcoming T20I series against West Indies will help fine-tune strategies and strengthen the squad ahead of the World Cup.
T20 World Cup 2026 Fixtures & Group Stage
Afghanistan has been placed in Group D alongside:
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New Zealand
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South Africa
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UAE
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Canada
The campaign will kick off against New Zealand on February 8 in Chennai, aiming to build on momentum from their historic 2024 run.
Outlook for Afghanistan
With a balanced mix of experienced stars and promising talent, led by Rashid Khan, Afghanistan is expected to deliver thrilling performances. The preparation series against West Indies will be crucial in perfecting tactics and ensuring the squad is match-ready.
