Rashid Khan will once again steer Afghanistan at a men’s T20 World Cup, after the leg-spinner was confirmed as captain for the 2026 edition in India and Sri Lanka. A 15-strong squad has been named for the tournament, and – to keep things simple – the same group will contest a three-match T20 series against West Indies in the UAE from 19-22 January.
First things first: the headline inclusions. Left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi and off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman return, having missed the white-ball tour of Bangladesh in October. All-rounder Gulbadin Naib and right-arm quick Naveen-ul-Haq also come back; Naveen has not played for the national side since injuring a shoulder before last year’s Asia Cup.
There are, inevitably, a few losers in the numbers game. Nineteen-year-old mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar drops to the standby list along with pacer Ijaz Ahmadzai and leg-spinner Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi. It is hard on Ghazanfar, but the coaches clearly feel Mujeeb’s extra experience is worth banking on, especially on sub-continental pitches that should grip.
Afghanistan’s confidence is understandable. They reached the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup – their deepest run in any ICC event – knocking over New Zealand, West Indies, Australia and Bangladesh along the way. Chief executive Naseeb Khan believes that run can be a springboard. “Afghanistan had a terrific run in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup. We cherish excellent memories from the past, and hope for even better results this year, which will be played in Asian conditions,” he said. “Hosting the West Indies team provides us with an incredible opportunity to fine-tune our combination, and prepare adequately for the World Cup.”
On paper, the bowling remains Afghanistan’s point of difference. Rashid, Mujeeb and left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad give them three distinct spin options, while Farooqi’s new-ball swing and Naveen’s change-ups cover the pace department. The batting, led by openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, still leans on experience from Mohammad Nabi and the increasingly versatile Azmatullah Omarzai.
Group-stage logistics are straightforward enough. Afghanistan slot into Group D alongside New Zealand, South Africa, the UAE and Canada, starting their campaign against the Black Caps in Chennai on 8 February. Familiar conditions, yes – but there is no gentle entry point.
Squad: Rashid Khan (capt), Ibrahim Zadran (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Mohammad Ishaq (wk), 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: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.
There will be time for tweaks if form dips, but for now Afghanistan look settled. Whether that semi-final surge of 2024 can be bettered is the question no spreadsheet, video session or practice net can answer. The players have roughly a month to find the rhythm that tells us.
