Kabul, Dec 31 (NationPress) Afghanistan has unveiled their 15-member roster for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Under the captaincy of Rashid Khan, the lineup is bolstered by the return of seasoned all-rounder Gulbadin Naib and right-arm fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, returning after a shoulder injury recovery.

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq and left-handed middle-order batsman Shahidullah Kamal have maintained their positions, while young fast bowler Abdullah Ahmadzai has been included in the primary squad.

Fazal Haq Farooqi, who was absent in the recent series against Bangladesh and only featured in the final T20I against Zimbabwe, is also part of the 15-player roster for both the upcoming series against the West Indies and the World Cup.

The inclusion of Mujeeb Ur Rahman stands out, leading to AM Ghazanfar being placed in the reserves along with middle-order batter Ijaz Ahmadzai and emerging fast bowler Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.

Before the global tournament, Afghanistan will face off against the West Indies in a three-match T20I series scheduled from January 19 to 22 in the UAE, utilizing the same squad chosen for the series.

ACB CEO Naseeb Khan remarked, “The AfghanAtalan had an excellent journey in the last T20 World Cup. We cherish our past achievements and aim for even greater success this year, especially in Asian conditions. Hosting the West Indies provides us with a fantastic opportunity to refine our team dynamics and prepare thoroughly for the World Cup.”

In addition, Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, ACB’s Chief Selector, commented, “After productive discussions, we finalized the squad. Gulbadin Naib is a key player for high-stakes matches, and his return adds depth to our team. We’re also thrilled to welcome Naveen Ul Haq back, enhancing our pace attack.

“It was a challenging decision to exclude AM Ghazanfar from the main squad in favor of Mujeeb. Shahidullah Kamal has shown commendable performance recently and provides an essential left-handed option, which is vital in major tournaments.”

Afghanistan is positioned in Pool D of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, competing against New Zealand, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada. They will kick off their campaign against New Zealand on February 8 in Chennai.

In the previous 2024 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan captured attention by reaching their first-ever semi-finals, where they faced defeat against South Africa.

Afghanistan squad:

Rashid Khan (c), 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