Kabul, 31 December (H.S.): The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) Selection Committee on Wednesday announced a 15-member national squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan will lead the side, with Ibrahim Zadran named as the vice-captain. The same squad will also feature in the three-match T20 International series against the West Indies ahead of the World Cup campaign.

Prior to the global tournament, Afghanistan will host the West Indies T20I series from January 19 to 22 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The series will serve as a key preparatory platform to finalize team combinations and strategies.The 15-member squad marks the return of veteran all-rounder Gulbadin Naib and right-arm pacer Naveen-ul-Haq, who has recovered from a shoulder injury.

Naveen’s inclusion is expected to bolster Afghanistan’s pace attack significantly. Left-handed middle-order batter Shahidullah Kamal and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq have retained their places from the previous squad, while young fast bowler Abdullah Ahmadzai has earned a maiden call-up. Fazalhaq Farooqi, another frontline seamer, also features in the main squad.

Young spinner A.M. Ghazanfar has been named among the reserve players, alongside middle-order batter Ijaz Ahmadzai and paceman Zia-ur-Rehman Sharifi.

ACB Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan expressed confidence in the squad’s potential, saying, “The team performed admirably in the last T20 World Cup. We have great memories from that tournament, and we are hopeful of achieving even better results this time in the Asian conditions. The upcoming series against the West Indies will help us assess our combinations and gear up for the World Cup.”

Chief Selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil emphasized the thorough discussions that preceded the team selection. “After extensive deliberations, we have chosen a balanced squad. Gulbadin Naib’s experience in high-pressure matches will strengthen the unit, and we are delighted to have Naveen-ul-Haq back, which gives more depth to our pace department,” he stated.

Afghanistan Squad – West Indies Series and ICC 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, Abdullah Ahmadzai.

Reserves: A.M. Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Zia-ur-Rehman Sharifi.

In the 2026 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan have been placed in Pool D alongside New Zealand, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and Canada. The team will open their campaign on February 8 in Chennai against New Zealand.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar