Why There is No Rashid Khan in Afghanistan Squad For Asian Games 2026? Here's the New Captain

Afghanistan cricket team's squad for the Asian Games 2026 has been announced. The squad features some of the most talented cricketers in the country but the biggest surprise was the absence of their talismanic player, Rashid Khan.

Rashid has arguably been one of the best T20 bowlers for quite some time now. He is probably the most influential sportsperson from Afghanistan and has a huge fan following all across the globe. Since Afghanistan are going to play one of the best T20 teams in the Asian Games, Rashid's absence comes as a major surprise.

Why No Rashid Khan in Afghanistan Asian Games Squad?

Afghanistan have picked a young squad for the Asian Games 2026, to be held in Aichi-Nagoya. While it is not yet official, they have likely decided to rest the leg-spinner Rashid Khan for these games.

The squad also does not feature some of the top cricketers like Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad, and many more. It has several players who are yet to make their international debut.

Rashid was Afghanistan's captain in the T20I format until March 2026 when he was removed from the role by the ACB. The board appointed the opener Ibrahim Zadran as the team's new captain.

The decision to rest Rashid Khan came as a shock as some of the other teams like India are coming in with their best possible squads. However, this will be an opportunity for the next generation of Afghan cricketers to play against the best in the world.

Who is Afghanistan Captain in Asian Games 2026?

With no Ibrahim Zadran or Rashid Khan in the squad, Darwish Rasooli has been appointed Afghanistan's captain for the Asian Games 2026. He also has the experience of leading the Afghanistan A side.

Hassan Eisakhil, the son of the legendary Afghanistan cricketers Mohammad Nabi, has also received his maiden international call-up. The squad also consists of Faisal Shinozada, Afghanistan's Under-19 star, and the experience of Najibullah Zadran.

The cricket matches in the Asian Games 2026 will be played from September 24 to October 3. Afghanistan will play the first round of the tournament and if they qualify, they will play the quarter-finals.

Afghanistan Squad For Asian Games 2026

Darwish Rasooli (C), Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Mohammad Akram, Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal, Imran Mir, Faisal Shinozada, Najibullah Zadran, Farmanullah Safi, Ismat Alam, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Arab Gul Momand, Faridoon Dawoodzai, and Abdullah Ahmadzai.