Rashid Khan to Lead Strong Afghanistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 approaching and just a few months away, international cricket is entering a busy phase. Teams have started their preparation for the multi-national tournament and all finalizing their best men combinations for the global event. Recently, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has finally announced their 15-member squad for the tournament on Wednesday.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has named a strong and balanced squad for the competition and highlighted their intent to build on momentum from their recent ICC events. Over the years, they have vastly improved and become one of the best T20 teams going around. The Board has been given the command to lead Rashid Khan for the T20 World Cup 2026 once again.

Rashid Khan to Lead Afghanistan Once Again

Rashid Khan has been appointed the captain of Afghanistan T20 World Cup squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, continuing his role as the leader of the national side. The decision highlights the board’s trust in their leader and also ensures stability as the team prepares for another high-pressure global event.

Alongside Rashid Khan Afghanistan captaincy, he is also one of the best T20 bowlers in the world. The Afghanistan squad for T20 world cup 2026 features proven team performers like Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, while young players such as Sediqullah Atal and Abdullah Ahmadzai will add young energy. Meanwhile, Allah Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai, and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi are the three players named as reserves for the mega event.

The proper balance of spin strength and pace options makes the Afghanistan T20 World Cup Squad well-suited for the conditions in India and Sri Lanka. The team will compete in the mega event from February 7 to March 8 under Rashid Khan captaincy. Mujeeb Ur Rahman has returned to the game's shortest format, while Ibrahim Zadran has been named his deputy. Alongside the T20 World Cup, the same side will also play West Indies in a three-match T20I series in the UAE in the lead-up.

Afghanistan's Dream T20 World Cup Campaign

The Afghanistan cricket team is dealing with some mishaps and a poor recent run, but they scripted history in the T20 World Cup 2024, where the team reached the semi-final after defeating mighty Australia in the Super Six stage. This was their first semi-final of a senior ICC tournament and Rashid Khan was the their captain in that campaign.

While they lost to South Africa but were undoubtedly one of the standout teams of the tournament. They will be looking to continue making progress in the upcoming edition of the competition, which will commence on February 7.
Afghanistan have been placed in Group D alongside New Zealand, South Africa, the UAE, and Canada. Their opening clash of the tournament will be against New Zealand on February 8 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Afghanistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Rashid Khan (C), Ibrahim Zadran (VC), 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 and Abdullah Ahmadzai

Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi