Afghanistan has announced its squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Star all-rounder Rashid Khan will lead the team as captain. This news has fans pretty excited, especially after their strong run last time. The tournament is set for February-March next year.
Khan, a world-class spinner, really knows how to lead. He took Afghanistan to the semi-finals in the 2024 T20 World Cup. That was a big deal for them. Now, he’s back at the helm. Ibrahim Zadran is his vice-captain, which is a good choice too. They’re looking for even better results this time, for sure.
Rashid Khan’s Leadership and Key Returns
Rashid Khan, he’s just a natural leader for Afghanistan. He’s been there, done that. Fans saw him guide the team to the semifinals in 2024. That was a pretty amazing performance. And now, he’s getting another shot. It’s pretty clear why he’s captain again.
The squad sees some important players back. Seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi is returning, apparently. And spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman is also in the mix. These guys are crucial. Gulbadin Naib, an all-rounder, found a spot too. Naveen-ul-Haq, a pace bowler, is back after a shoulder injury. He missed the Asia Cup but seems ready now. According to Yahoo Sports, his return is a big boost. The team will really need these experienced players.
They’ve put together a 15-member squad. It’s described as balanced, which is important. You’ve got explosive batters and some really good all-rounders. And of course, those world-class spinners like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Noor Ahmad is another key spinner. It’s a pretty strong bowling attack, you know?
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the main wicketkeeper. Mohammad Ishaq Rahimi is also in there. Mohammad Nabi, a veteran, made the cut too. He’s always a reliable player. It really seems like they’ve covered all their bases. The squad was announced on Wednesday, with plenty of excitement around it.
Challenging Group D Ahead
This 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is going to be big. It’s a 20-team tournament. India and Sri Lanka are hosting it. That means Asian conditions, which Afghanistan seems to like. The tournament kicks off in February.
Afghanistan finds itself in Group D. And it’s a pretty tough group. They’ll face New Zealand and South Africa. Also in their group are the United Arab Emirates and Canada. Their first match is against New Zealand. That’s on February 8 in Chennai. So, they better be ready from day one. Playing New Zealand early will be a real test.
“Afghanistan had a terrific run in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup,” Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Naseeb Khan said. “We cherish excellent memories from the past and hope for even better results this year, which will be played in Asian conditions.”
He seems pretty confident, which is good. Asian conditions really suit their spin attack. That could be a huge advantage for them. The team is really looking forward to it. They’ve got a lot to prove this time around.
Preparation and Past Triumphs
Before the World Cup, they’ve got some warm-up matches. Rashid Khan’s team will play a three-match T20 series against the West Indies. These games are scheduled for January 19-22. They’ll be played in the United Arab Emirates. This series is important for fine-tuning everything. It’s a chance to get the combination right. That’s what Naseeb Khan told The Associated Press.
Remember that 2024 T20 World Cup? Afghanistan was amazing. They reached the semi-finals. They beat some really good teams. New Zealand, Australia, West Indies, and Bangladesh all fell to them. That was a truly terrific run. They built a reputation then. And they want to keep building on it.
This squad has a lot of that semi-final experience. That counts for a lot in big tournaments. They’ve got the talent, and they’ve got the belief. So, everyone is eager to see how they perform this time. The whole team is pretty excited. And fans are too, obviously.
Here’s the full squad:
Afghanistan squad: Rashid Khan (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Ishaq, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai.
It’s a good mix, definitely. They’re ready for the challenge. Let’s see what they can do in India and Sri Lanka.
Sagnik Banerjee 
Ishaan Singh 
Govind Singh