Kabul – December 31, 2025: Afghanistan Cricket Board’s National Selection Committee has finalized the AfghanAtalan Squad for the upcoming T20I series against the West Indies and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
Before embarking on their
journey at the mega global T20 event in India and Sri Lanka, AfghanAtalan will
meet the West Indies in a three-match T20I Series, which will be hosted by
Afghanistan from January 19 to 22 in the UAE.
Rashid Khan will lead
the Afghanistan Squad, which is boosted by the return of the all-rounder Gulbadin
Naib and the right-arm fast bowler, Naveen Ul Haq, who returns from a shoulder
injury.
Left-handed middle-order
batter Shahidullah Kamal and the wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Ishaq retain
their spots in the squad for the upcoming events. Abdullah Ahmadzai, a young
fast bowler, has also been included in the main pool of players. Fazal Haq
Farooqi, who missed the recently held series against Bangladesh and only played
the last T20I against Zimbabwe, has made it into the 15-man squad for both the
series and the World Cup.
A notable addition to
the squad is Mujeeb Ur Rahman, which leads to AM Ghazanfar being placed in the
reserve pool of players, alongside middle-order batter Ijaz Ahmadzai and
promising young fast bowler Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.
ACB CEO Mr. Naseeb
Khan stated, “AfghanAtalan had a terrific run in the previous edition of the
T20 World Cup. We cherish excellent memories from the past and hope for even
better results this year, which will be played in Asian conditions. Hosting the
West Indies team provides us with an incredible opportunity to fine-tune our
combination and prepare adequately for the World Cup.”
Similarly, Mr. Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, ACB’s Chief Selector, added, “We had good discussions over the past few days and finalized the squad. Gulbadin Naib is a big-match player, and his return boosts our team. We are also pleased to have Naveen Ul Haq back, which enhances the quality of our fast bowling.”
“It was a tough
decision to leave AM Ghazanfar out of the main squad, as his place made way for
Mujeeb. Shahidullah Kamal performed well in the recent event and provides us
with a valuable left-handed option, which is crucial in major tournaments.”
Afghanistan Squad
for the West Indies Series and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026:
Rashid Khan (Captain),
Ibrahim Zadran (VC), 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, Fazal Haq Farooqi
and Abdullah Ahmadzai.
Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai
and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.
AfghanAtalan are
placed in Pool D of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 alongside New Zealand,
South Africa, United Arab Emirates and Canada and will play their opening game
in the event against New Zealand on February 8 in Chennai.
Afghanistan Fixtures
for the West Indies Series and the ICC Men’s T20 WC 2026:
|
West Indies Series
Fixtures |
||
|
Date |
Match |
Venue |
|
Monday, January 19 |
1st T20I |
UAE |
|
Wednesday, January
21 |
2nd T20I |
UAE |
|
Thursday, January
22 |
3rd T20I |
UAE |
|
|
||
|
Afghanistan’s Group
stage Fixtures at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
||
|
Sunday, February 8 |
Afghanistan vs New Zealand |
Chennai |
|
Wednesday, February
11 |
Afghanistan vs South Africa |
Ahmedabad |
|
Monday, February 16 |
Afghanistan vs United Arab Emirates |
Delhi |
|
Thursday, February
19 |
Afghanistan vs Canada |
Chennai |
For further information, please contact:
Commercial
Department
Afghanistan
Cricket Board (ACB)
Email:
Marketing@Afghancricket.af
Website: www.acb.af
-ENDS-