Rashid Khan Named Captain of Afghanistan's Squad for T20 World Cup
KABUL, Afghanistan — Rashid Khan was named captain of Afghanistan's 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, announced on Wednesday.
Left-arm fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi and all-rounder Gulbadin Naib were included after being left out of the white-ball tour of Bangladesh in October. Pace bowler Naveen-ul-Haq returns after recovering from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the Asia Cup in September; his last T20 was against Zimbabwe in December 2024. Mystery spinner A.M. Ghazanfar was named as a reserve, with experienced slow bowler Mujeeb Ur Rahman preferred for the tournament starting February 7.
"Afghanistan had a terrific run in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup," said Naseeb Khan, the national cricket board’s chief executive officer. "We cherish excellent memories from the past and hope for even better results this year in Asian conditions."
Afghanistan reached the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the U.S. after defeating New Zealand, Australia, West Indies and Bangladesh.
Khan’s team will play a three-match T20 series against the West Indies from January 19-22 as preparation. Afghanistan is in Group D with New Zealand, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and Canada, opening against New Zealand on February 8 in Chennai.
Squad: Rashid Khan (captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Ishaq, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai.
More in Culture
Residents Warn Bost Fortress in Helmand Risks Collapse Without Restoration
Afghanistan Faces New Zealand in T20 World Cup 2026 Opener
Residents Warn Historic Begum Minaret in Ghazni Province at Risk of Collapse
Kandahar and Nangarhar Host Afghanistan's Grade 1 Provincial T20 Cricket Tournament
Residents Warn Bost Fortress in Helmand Risks Collapse Without Restoration
Residents in Helmand province warn that the historic Bost Fortress, dating back thousands of years, is at risk of collapse due to erosion and neglect without urgent restoration.
Afghanistan Faces New Zealand in T20 World Cup 2026 Opener
Afghanistan's cricket team opens its 2026 T20 World Cup campaign against New Zealand on February 8 in Chennai, India, in a challenging Group 4 that includes South Africa, UAE and Canada.
Residents Warn Historic Begum Minaret in Ghazni Province at Risk of Collapse
Residents in Ghazni's Jaghatu district warn that the ancient Begum Minaret risks collapse due to neglect and ageing, urging Taliban authorities for urgent restoration. The site, a symbol of regional cultural identity, has drawn tourist interest amid broader preservation challenges in Afghanistan.
Kandahar and Nangarhar Host Afghanistan's Grade 1 Provincial T20 Cricket Tournament
Afghanistan's Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan Grade 1 Provincial T20 Tournament launched Tuesday in Kandahar and Nangarhar, marking the first dual-format edition to scout talent. The event runs through Feb. 13, with semis and final in Nangarhar.