Opening batter Ibrahim Zadran will lead Afghanistan’s T20I side after Rashid Khan asked to hand over the reins in the wake of the early World Cup exit. Zadran’s first job looks straightforward on paper – three T20Is against Sri Lanka in Sharjah from 13 March – yet a lot sits in the background.
“the ACB is closely monitoring the ongoing situation in the region and is engaging in discussions with all stakeholders about whether the series can proceed as originally planned, both in terms of dates and venue,” the board said in a note. Airspace closures linked to the West Asian conflict have already forced some teams to tweak travel. For now, Afghanistan and the Emirates Cricket Board are sticking with Sharjah and Dubai, but the ACB concedes a late switch is possible. “Should circumstances necessitate a change, the ACB will consider exploring alternative options for both the host country and the event schedule.”
Why Zadran? At 24 he already owns 1865 T20I runs, fourth on the Afghan list, striking at 114 – not explosive, yet reliable. He has led the side 11 times before, mostly when Rashid rested. The board framed the move as long-term planning rather than punishment. “Rashid Khan’s tenure as the T20I captain brought immense success to the team, particularly highlighted by the team’s remarkable journey in the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup, where we reached the semi-finals,” it reminded everyone, before adding that a fresh coaching team means a fresh leadership call.
Richard Pybus, freshly installed head coach after Jonathan Trott’s departure, will have Zadran as his sounding board. Pybus knows sub-continental set-ups – he has worked with Pakistan, Bangladesh and the West Indians – but this Afghan gig is different again. A quick look at the squad tells you why:
T20I squad
Ibrahim Zadran (capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Noor Rahman (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Fareed Malik, Naveed Zadran.
Out go Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib and young keeper-bat Mohammad Ishaq; in come the uncapped Noor Rahman behind the stumps plus left-arm options Sharafuddin and Fareed. Balance wise, it leans spin-heavy as ever, yet the selectors plainly want an extra left-arm seamer.
The ODI set-up remains steadier. Hashmatullah Shahidi will still captain with Rahmat Shah as deputy. Zia ur Rahman Sharifi, a brisk right-armer who covered for Naveen-ul-Haq at the World Cup, is in line for his 50-over debut. Bilal Sami, five-for hero against Bangladesh, holds his place.
How will Zadran lead? He is quieter than Rashid, more inclined to lean on seniors. Those who have played under him say he keeps things simple: set the field early, trust the bowlers, and bat long at the top. With a three-game, six-day window in Sharjah he will not have long to learn.
Sri Lanka, for their part, have travelled well in the UAE and will fancy their chances against an Afghan side still processing that group-stage stumble. Yet shake-ups are sometimes exactly what a talented side needs. We will find out in a week – assuming, of course, planes can land.
