Afghanistan Name T20 World Cup Squad; Naveen-ul-Haq, Gulbadin Naib Return

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has announced its 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, marking the return of experienced campaigners Naveen-ul-Haq and Gulbadin Naib.

The side will be led by star leg-spinner Rashid Khan. The inclusion of Naveen-ul-Haq comes as a boost, with the pacer having recovered from a shoulder injury that has kept him out of international cricket since December 2024. Veteran all-rounder Gulbadin Naib also makes a comeback after being left out of the recent T20I series against Zimbabwe.

Another notable selection is 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq, who returns to the squad after a stint in domestic and ‘A’ team cricket.

To make room for the returnees, the selectors have omitted Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Bashir Ahmad, and Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, all of whom were part of the squad that toured Zimbabwe in October-November.

Afghanistan are placed in Group D of the T20 World Cup alongside New Zealand, South Africa, UAE, and Canada. They will begin their campaign against New Zealand on February 8 in Chennai. This squad will also play a three-match T20I series against the West Indies in the UAE, starting January 19, as part of their World Cup preparations.

Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen Ul Haq, Mohammad Ishaq, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran

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

                                               

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