India wins third T20 World Cup as Afghanistan appoints Zadran T20 captain for Sri Lanka series
India's national cricket team defeated New Zealand by 96 runs on Sunday to win the T20 World Cup for the third time, becoming the first to defend the title. The final took place at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with over 86,000 spectators, mostly Indian fans. India scored 255 for five wickets, with Sanju Samson making more than 80 runs. Jasprit Bumrah took four wickets and was named player of the match.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced Ibrahim Zadran as the new T20 captain, replacing Rashid Khan, for the upcoming T20 series against Sri Lanka. Zadran, a key batsman and former vice-captain in T20s, takes over after Rashid Khan's tenure that saw Afghanistan reach the semifinals of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Ahmad Shah Sulaimankhel, head of the ACB selection committee, said the change is part of a broader strategy to reset leadership ahead of key competitions. "Rashid Khan's captaincy brought remarkable successes. In line with our long-term strategic vision and recent management changes, we decided to transition T20 leadership," Sulaimankhel stated. He praised Rashid Khan's contributions and expressed hope that Zadran would lead the team to new successes, focusing on preparation for the World Cup and team depth.
Hashmatullah Shahidi remains ODI captain, with Rahmat Shah as vice-captain.
Afghanistan T20 squad: Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Noor Rahman (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Farid Ahmad Malak, Abdullah Ahmadzai. Reserves: Nangial Khort, Bilal Sami, Eijaz Ahmadzai.
Afghanistan ODI squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah (vice), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Afsar Zazai (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangial Khort, Amogh Nazneen, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Farid Ahmad Malak, Bilal Sami. Reserves: Qais Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Bashir Ahmad.
The ACB is monitoring the regional situation and discussing with stakeholders whether the series will proceed as scheduled. Alternative options for venue and timing are under consideration if needed.
The board also named Richard Pybus as the new head coach ahead of the Sri Lanka series.
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