Rashid Khan named Afghanistan captain for T20 World Cup
KABUL, Afghanistan — Rashid Khan was named captain of Afghanistan's 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, announced on Wednesday.
Left-arm fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi and all-rounder Gulbadin Naib were included after being left out of the white-ball tour of Bangladesh in October. Pace bowler Naveen-ul-Haq returns after recovering from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the Asia Cup in September; his last T20 was against Zimbabwe in December 2024. Mystery spinner A.M. Ghazanfar was named as a reserve, with experienced slow bowler Mujeeb Ur Rahman preferred for the tournament starting February 7.
"Afghanistan had a terrific run in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup," said Naseeb Khan, the national cricket board’s chief executive officer. "We cherish excellent memories from the past and hope for even better results this year in Asian conditions."
Afghanistan reached the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the U.S., defeating New Zealand, Australia, West Indies and Bangladesh.
Khan’s team will play a three-match T20 series against the West Indies from January 19-22 as preparation. Afghanistan is in Group D with New Zealand, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and Canada, opening against the Kiwis on February 8 in Chennai.
Squad: Rashid Khan (captain), 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.
Know more about this story?
If you have additional information or believe something is inaccurate, let us know. Your tips help us stay accurate.
Sources (1)
More in Culture
Deputy Minister of Information and Culture Urges Principled Operations for Tourism and Pilgrimage Companies
Afghanistan's National Buzkashi Team to Face Hungary in Kokpar 2026 Opener
Taliban Sports Administration Publishes Profile of Muay Thai Champion Mohammad Yusuf Jahangir
Afghanistan Gains Membership in World Street Sports Organization Kardu
ReliableDeputy Minister of Information and Culture Urges Principled Operations for Tourism and Pilgrimage Companies
Maulvi Qudratullah Jamal, Deputy for Tourism, Finance and Administration at Afghanistan's Ministry of Information and Culture, mandated licensed operations, renewals, and notifications for tourism and pilgrimage companies, with nationwide inspections and closures for violators. Haji Golab Sultan Zai, head of the companies, pledged compliance with I.E.A. principles.
ReliableAfghanistan's National Buzkashi Team to Face Hungary in Kokpar 2026 Opener
Afghanistan's national Buzkashi team faces Hungary at 2:30 p.m. Afghanistan time in its group stage opener at the Kokpar 2026 competitions in Turkistan, Kazakhstan. Mullah Ahmadullah Waseeq, head of Afghanistan's National Olympic Committee, confirmed the details via X.
ReliableTaliban Sports Administration Publishes Profile of Muay Thai Champion Mohammad Yusuf Jahangir
The Taliban Sports Administration profiled Muay Thai athlete Mohammad Yusuf Jahangir, who overcame poverty to win Afghanistan's first gold medal at the 1404 Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia. The piece highlights his balancing of work and training amid economic hardships.
ReliableAfghanistan Gains Membership in World Street Sports Organization Kardu
Afghanistan has joined the World Street Sports Organization Kardu for the first time, thanks to efforts by Salman Sultani, who has been named its ambassador in the country. The membership enables Afghan athletes to compete in international street sports events.