Afghanistan have announced their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, to be held in India and Sri Lanka.
The same squad will also compete in a three-match T20I series against West Indies in the UAE as part of Afghanistan’s preparations for the global tournament.
| Rashid Khan (capt) | Ibrahim Zadran (vice-capt) | 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 | Abdullah Ahmadzai |
The star leg-spinner Rashid Khan is appointed as the captain. The squad includes key players such as left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, and fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq.
Farooqi and Naib, who were left out of Afghanistan’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh in October, have earned recalls ahead of the World Cup.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s return to the squad has resulted in young mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar being named among the reserves, alongside Ijaz Ahmadzai and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.
Naveen-ul-Haq makes his comeback after missing the Asia Cup in September due to a shoulder injury. His last appearance for Afghanistan was in a T20I against Zimbabwe in December 2024.
Afghanistan enjoyed a historic run at the 2024 T20 World Cup, reaching the semi-finals for the first time in an ICC tournament. During that campaign, they recorded notable wins over New Zealand, West Indies, Australia and Bangladesh.
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) CEO Naseeb Khan said the team is keen to build on that success. He further said that hosting the West Indies will provide Afghanistan an excellent opportunity to prepare thoroughly for the World Cup.
The T20I series against West Indies will be played from January 19 to 22.
At the T20 World Cup, Afghanistan have been placed in Group D alongside New Zealand, South Africa, UAE and Canada. They will begin their campaign against New Zealand on February 8 in Chennai.
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