Who Can Replace Naveen-ul-Haq in T20 World Cup 2026? Top 3 Contenders

Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq has been sidelined from the upcoming three-match T20I series against West Indies and will also miss the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled for next month. According to reports, the pacer is set to undergo surgery later this month, ruling him out of competitive cricket in the near future.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has not yet confirmed a like-for-like Naveen-ul-Haq replacement in the squad. However, mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar, top-order batter Ijaz Ahmadzai, and seamer Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi were already named in Afghanistan reserves for T20 World Cup 2026. The exact details of Naveen ul Haq injury have not been confirmed, but it is a difficult period for the 25-year-old, who has not represented Afghanistan since December 2024.

He has featured in some of the richest cricket leagues in the world, including the SA20 in early 2025 and Major League Cricket in the United States, but a shoulder injury forced him to miss the Asia Cup 2025. His most recent return to competitive cricket came during the ILT20 last year, where he turned out for MI Emirates, which was his last appearance at the professional level before this latest injury.

Who will be Naveen ul Haq Replacement for Afghanistan in T20 World Cup 2026?

Naveen has been out of the international circuit for over a year, yet his injury will have an impact, as he was named in the Afghanistan squad T20 World Cup 2026. Let's have a look at the top 3 potential replacements for the Afghan pacer.

Allah Ghazanfar

The mystery spinner, Allah Ghazanfar, was already included in Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup reserve list. Ghazanfar gives the selectors a versatile bowling option despite being a frontline spinner. He has an unorthodox action, and his variations can add a different value to the attack, especially in Asian conditions, as the T20 World Cup is scheduled in India and Sri Lanka.

Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi

Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi is one of the reserve pacers and stands out as the most straightforward fast-bowling replacement for Naveen. He is an emerging name in Afghanistan’s pace department, and offers utility with the new ball as well as in the middle overs.

Fareed Ahmad Malik

Left-arm medium pacer, Fareed Ahmad Malik, brings experience and variety to the lineup, making him a strong contender to fill the gap left by Naveen-ul-Haq. He has featured for Afghanistan in T20Is and is used to bowling in high-pressure situations, including the death overs. His left-arm angle would complement Fazalhaq Farooqi and provide more options to the management.

Rashid Khan to Lead Afghanistan in T20 World Cup 2026

Rashid Khan, one of the best T20 bowlers, has departed MI Cape Town during the SA20 2026 season in order to take charge of Afghanistan’s T20I side for the upcoming series and to focus on his national duty. In a similar development, Mujeeb Ur Rahman has also exited the SA20 2026, leaving Paarl Royals to join the Afghanistan squad ahead of the international assignments.

The Afghanistan cricket team has already named their squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, but after Naveen-ul-Haq injury, they might make a change in the setup and include a player from the reserves. The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced a 15-player squad for the ICC tournament, and the same group was also expected to take part in the T20I series against West Indies, but a few changes are possible after injury concerns in the camp.

Afghanistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Ishaq, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran.

Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai and Ziaur Rahman Sharifi.