Rashid Khan will captain Afghanistan’s 15-member squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The announcement on 31 December 2025 includes key returns like Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi. Afghanistan starts against New Zealand on 8 February in Chennai.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board named a robust 15-player Afghanistan T20 World Cup squad on 31 December 2025, with Rashid Khan as Afghanistan captain. This selection strengthens the Afghanistan cricket team T20 ahead of the tournament from 7 February to 8 March. Key players like Mujeeb Ur Rahman return after injury, alongside Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib and Naveen-ul-Haq.
This Afghanistan T20 World Cup squad announcement underscores the team’s growing stature in South Asian cricket. With the event hosted in India and Sri Lanka, it offers Afghanistan a chance to build on their 2024 semi-final run, where they defeated powerhouses like Australia and New Zealand. Regional fans anticipate high-stakes matches that could boost cricket’s popularity across borders, especially in Pakistan and India where Afghan players have strong followings.
Rashid Khan Afghanistan Captain: Leadership and Spin Attack
Rashid Khan, the 27-year-old leg-spinner, retains his role as Afghanistan captain for the Afghanistan T20 World Cup squad. His experience includes 146 T20I wickets at an average of 14. Rashid led Afghanistan to the 2024 semi-finals, their best-ever finish.
The spin department looks formidable in this Afghanistan cricket team T20. Mujeeb Ur Rahman returns after missing recent series due to a finger injury. The 24-year-old off-spinner has 59 T20I wickets. Noor Ahmad, a 20-year-old left-arm wrist-spinner, adds variety with 14 wickets in 15 matches.
Mohammad Nabi, the 40-year-old all-rounder, brings stability. He has scored 2123 runs and taken 99 wickets in T20Is. “Afghanistan had a terrific run in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup,” said ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan in an official statement. “We cherish excellent memories from the past and hope for even better results this year, which will be played in Asian conditions.”
Pace Options and Batting Depth in Afghanistan Cricket Team T20
The Afghanistan T20 World Cup squad features a balanced pace attack. Fazalhaq Farooqi, 25, returns after a brief absence. He claimed 17 wickets in the 2024 tournament, joint-highest. Naveen-ul-Haq, 26, adds swing with 71 T20I wickets. Abdullah Ahmadzai, a 22-year-old medium-pacer, earns a spot as a promising talent.
Batting relies on openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal. Gurbaz, 24, topped the 2024 run charts with 281. Ibrahim Zadran, 24, is vice-captain and has 755 T20I runs. All-rounders like Azmatullah Omarzai, 25, and Gulbadin Naib, 34, provide depth. Omarzai scored 149 runs and took 8 wickets in 2024.
Darwish Rasooli, 26, and Shahidullah Kamal, 26, bolster the middle order. Mohammad Ishaq, 20, serves as backup wicketkeeper. This mix ensures the Afghanistan cricket team T20 can adapt to subcontinental pitches.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman Return Boosts Squad
Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s return is a highlight of the Afghanistan T20 World Cup squad. Sidelined since mid-2025, his mystery spin troubled opponents in past events. In 46 T20Is, he maintains an economy of 6.3.
His inclusion aligns with ACB’s strategy for spin-friendly venues. Combined with Rashid Khan as Afghanistan captain, it forms a core that could challenge top teams.
Background: Afghanistan’s Rise in T20 Cricket
Afghanistan’s journey in international cricket began in 2001. Granted Test status in 2017, they have excelled in T20s. The 2024 semi-final, defeating Australia by 21 runs and Bangladesh to advance, marked a milestone.
Players like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi honed skills in leagues like IPL and PSL. Despite challenges like political instability, the team has united fans across South Asia. The Afghanistan cricket team T20 now ranks eighth in ICC T20I standings.
What’s Next for Afghanistan T20 World Cup Squad
The same Afghanistan T20 World Cup squad will face West Indies in a three-match T20I series in the UAE from 15 January 2026. This serves as preparation.
In Group D, Afghanistan meets New Zealand on 8 February in Chennai, South Africa on 11 February in Ahmedabad, UAE on 16 February in Delhi, and Canada on 19 February in Chennai. Success could propel them to Super 8s.
ACB’s Naseeb Khan added: “Hosting the West Indies team provides us with an incredible opportunity to fine-tune our combination and prepare adequately for the World Cup.”
As the tournament approaches, this Afghanistan T20 World Cup squad positions the team for potential upsets in familiar conditions.
The Afghanistan T20 World Cup squad reflects careful planning, blending experience with youth under Rashid Khan as Afghanistan captain.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, January 2nd, 2026
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