The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has decided to shake things up just in time for the biggest tournament of the year. In a move that has fans buzzing on social media, the selectors have recalled the fiery pacer Naveen-ul-Haq and the experienced all-rounder Gulbadin Naib for the T20 World Cup 2026. It wasn't an easy decision, but under the captaincy of spin-wizard Rashid Khan, the board is clearly aiming for a balance of raw pace and veteran mindset. The 15-man squad was finalized on Wednesday, and it looks like a lineup built specifically to cause upsets on the big stage.
For Naveen-ul-Haq, the road back to the national side hasn't been smooth. The right-arm fast bowler has been stuck on the sidelines nursing a shoulder injury that kept him out of international action for over a year—his last T20I appearance was way back in December 2024. His return is a massive boost for Rashid Khan, who has been looking for a reliable death-overs specialist. Joining him is Gulbadin Naib, a player who knows how to handle high-pressure situations. Along with young wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq, these guys were missing from the recent Zimbabwe tour, but the selectors realized they needed that extra bit of firepower for a global event like the World Cup.
However, bringing old faces back meant making some tough calls on the players who recently served the team. The axe fell on Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Bashir Ahmad, and Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai. Despite being part of the squad that toured Zimbabwe in October and November, they couldn't find a spot in the final 15. Instead, the management is putting their faith in a terrifying spin attack featuring Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and the mystery spinner Noor Ahmad. On the batting front, all eyes will be on Ibrahim Zadran and the explosive Rahmanullah Gurbaz to provide solid starts.
Here is the complete Afghanistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2026:
- Captain: Rashid Khan
- The Batting Core: Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Mohammad Ishaq (WK).
- All-Rounders: Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Shahidullah Kamal, Abdullah Ahmadzai.
- The Bowling Attack: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad.
- Traveling Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.
The challenge ahead is massive. Afghanistan finds itself in Group D, often called the "Group of Death" by fans, sitting alongside giants like New Zealand and South Africa, as well as the UAE and Canada. But the schedule might actually work in their favor. They start their campaign on February 8 in Chennai against the Black Caps. Anyone who follows cricket knows that the Chennai pitch is a paradise for spinners, which gives Rashid Khan and his team a genuine home advantage away from home. Before the main event, the team will get to test their combinations in a three-match series against the West Indies in the UAE starting January 19, which will be crucial for Naveen to find his rhythm before the World Cup pressure kicks in.
Quick Analysis: Is This the Winning Squad?
To help you understand what these changes mean for Afghanistan's chances, here is a quick breakdown of the squad's strengths and potential risks.
| Strengths (The Good Stuff) | Risks (The Worrying Stuff) |
| 🔥 The Spin Trap: With Rashid, Mujeeb, and Noor, this is arguably the best spin attack in the tournament. Playing in Chennai (a spin-friendly venue) gives them a massive home-like advantage. | ⚠️ Naveen's Rustiness: Naveen-ul-Haq is a star, but he hasn't played international cricket for a whole year (since Dec 2024). Will he be match-ready for high-pressure games immediately? |
| 💪 Experience is Back: Gulbadin Naib brings that "big match" energy. He knows how to handle pressure situations better than the younger guys who were dropped. | 🏏 Batting Consistency: The team still relies heavily on the top order (Gurbaz & Ibrahim Zadran). If they fail early, the middle order often struggles to chase big totals against top teams like NZ or SA. |
| 🚀 Pace Variety: The combination of Farooqi’s new-ball swing and Naveen’s death-over slower balls covers all phases of the game effectively. | 💀 The "Group of Death": Being in a group with New Zealand and South Africa means there is zero room for error. One bad game could end their tournament early. |
| 🧠 Leadership: Rashid Khan has matured into a brilliant captain who knows how to use his resources creatively. | 📉 Dropped Talent: Youngsters like Sharafuddin Ashraf performed well recently but were cut. If the veterans underperform, fans might question these bold exclusions. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is the captain of Afghanistan for the T20 World Cup 2026?
A: The team will be led by their star spinner, Rashid Khan. He continues to be the key leader and main tactical mind for the squad.
Q2: Is Naveen-ul-Haq playing in the 2026 World Cup?
A: Yes! Naveen-ul-Haq has officially returned to the squad after recovering from a shoulder injury. He hasn't played an international match since December 2024, so this is a major comeback.
Q3: When is Afghanistan’s first match in the T20 World Cup?
A: Afghanistan will kick off their campaign on February 8, 2026, against New Zealand. The match will be played in Chennai, India.
Q4: Which group is Afghanistan placed in?
A: Afghanistan is in Group D. They will be competing against New Zealand, South Africa, UAE, and Canada.
Q5: Who are the key players returning to the team?
A: The two biggest returns are pacer Naveen-ul-Haq and experienced all-rounder Gulbadin Naib. Both were missing from the recent Zimbabwe tour but have been recalled for the World Cup.
Q6: Are there any warm-up matches before the World Cup?
A: Yes, the 15-member squad will play a three-match series against the West Indies in the UAE starting from January 19 to prepare for the main tournament.
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