Why Fazalhaq Farooqi is Not Playing Today in AFG vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026?

Afghanistan will take on the UAE in the 28th match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at one of the oldest cricket stadiums in India, the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. The Afghan players are coming from a heartbreaking loss against the Proteas in the last match, where they lost in the second super over.

Rashid Khan and his boys showed some real tough character on the ground, but failed to get over the line. On the other hand, Muhammad Waseem and his boys are moving into this match with a comfortable win by 5 wickets against Canada.

The toss has been completed between the two captains, and it is Rashid Khan who has won the toss and decided to bowl first. Captains of both teams have handed over the final playing XI, and there is one major change in the Afghanistan cricket team. Left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi is not playing this match, which comes as a major surprise.

Why Fazalhaq Farooqi is Not Playing Today Against UAE?

Right after the toss for AFG vs UAE T20 World Cup 2026, Afghanistan captain Rashid stated that Ziaur Rahman Sharifi will be playing this match as Fazalhaq Farooqi replacement. The reason behind Fazalhaq's exclusion was not yet specifically mentioned by Rashid at the toss. However, it seems to be a tactical change from the Afghanistan team management.

Farooqi has been one of the best T20 bowlers for quite some time now. He is Afghanistan's most trusted pacer who has done well with the new ball as well as in the death overs. His absence can make a difference in this do-or-die game.

Farooqi was also the highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup 2024 and played a key role in Afghanistan's historic run to the semi-final. Over the years, he has developed into one of the most lethal bowlers in white-ball cricket.

How has Fazalhaq Farooqi Fared in T20 World Cup 2026?

Farooqi has played two matches in this tournament but has picked up just one wicket so far. He bowled the first Super Over in the last match against South Africa where he conceded 17 runs. Afghanistan almost won the game but Stubbs took the game to another Super Over with a six over long-off.

In the end, Afghanistan went on to lose the match by the barest of margins. Farooqi was believed to be Afghanistan's best bowler while coming into this tournament. However, the selection of Ziaur Rahman Sharifi shows that the team management wants to give exposure to the other seamers in the squad as well.