Afghanistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2026 – Team List

February 10, 2026
Cricket
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Afghanistan cricket has emerged as one of the most exciting forces in international T20 cricket, and their squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 promises another thrilling campaign. Led by the world-renowned leg-spinner Rashid Khan, the Afghan Lions have assembled a formidable lineup that blends youthful exuberance with veteran experience.

Afghanistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2026 Overview

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has announced a 15-member squad, backed by three reserve players, for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. This carefully selected team represents the nation’s best T20 talent and reflects their ambition to make a deep run in the tournament.

Main Squad (15 Players)

Reserve Players

AM Ghazanfar
Ijaz Ahmadzai
Farid Ahmad Malik

Leadership Group: Rashid Khan’s Captaincy

The appointment of Rashid Khan as captain brings stability and star power to Afghanistan’s campaign. Widely regarded as one of the finest T20 bowlers in cricket history, Rashid’s leadership extends beyond his bowling prowess. His experience in franchise leagues worldwide, including the IPL, BBL, and CPL, provides invaluable tactical insights.

Supporting Rashid in the leadership group is the veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, whose calm demeanor and wealth of international experience make him an ideal vice-captain figure. The presence of Gulbadin Naib, a former captain himself, adds another layer of leadership depth to the squad.

Batting Lineup: Power and Stability Combined

Opening Partnership

Afghanistan’s opening combination features the explosive Rahmanullah Gurbaz and the technically sound Ibrahim Zadran. Gurbaz brings aggressive intent from ball one, capable of dismantling any bowling attack with his power-hitting abilities. His ability to score quickly in the powerplay makes him a crucial asset for Afghanistan’s batting strategy.

Ibrahim Zadran provides the perfect foil as a more measured opener who can anchor the innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate. His recent performances in international cricket have showcased his maturity and ability to construct innings across all phases of the game.

Middle Order Strength

The middle order features a blend of aggressive stroke-players and experienced campaigners:

Sediqullah Atal has emerged as one of Afghanistan’s most promising young batsmen, with the ability to accelerate the innings during the middle overs. His fearless approach and clean striking make him a valuable asset in the top order.

Darwish Rasooli adds depth to the batting lineup with his versatility. Capable of batting anywhere in the top six, Rasooli provides the team management with flexibility in team composition based on match situations.

Mohammad Nabi remains Afghanistan’s most experienced all-rounder. His big-hitting ability in the death overs, combined with his off-spin bowling, makes him a dual threat. Nabi’s composure under pressure has won Afghanistan numerous matches over the years.

Azmatullah Omarzai is a rising star in Afghan cricket, offering genuine pace bowling alongside powerful lower-order hitting. His development as an all-rounder has been impressive, and he’s expected to play a crucial role in the World Cup.

Gulbadin Naib provides experience and versatility, capable of bowling medium pace and batting in the middle order. His ability to perform in pressure situations makes him an invaluable squad member.

Lower Order Contributors

Shahidullah Kamal and Mohammad Ishaq Rahimi add batting depth, ensuring Afghanistan can capitalize even if early wickets fall. Both players have shown the ability to play according to match situations, whether that requires rebuilding or aggressive acceleration.

Bowling Arsenal: Afghanistan’s Biggest Strength

Spin Trio: World-Class Quality

Afghanistan’s spin bowling attack is arguably the most potent in T20 cricket, featuring three world-class spinners:

Rashid Khan remains the crown jewel of Afghanistan’s bowling attack. Hisleg-spin variations, including the googly and flipper, have bamboozled batsmen worldwide. Rashid’s economy rate in T20 cricket is exceptional, and his ability to pick wickets in the middle overs makes him invaluable.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman brings mystery spin to the attack with his off-breaks, carrom balls, and variations. Operating in tandem with Rashid, Mujeeb has proven capable of strangling opposition batting lineups, particularly during the powerplay and middle overs.

Noor Ahmad, the young left-arm wrist spinner, adds a different dimension to Afghanistan’s spin attack. His ability to turn the ball away from right-handers provides variety and keeps batsmen guessing. Despite his youth, Noor has already established himself as a key member of the bowling unit.

Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi offers additional left-arm spin options, providing depth and flexibility in the spin department.

Pace Bowling Attack

While spin is Afghanistan’s traditional strength, their pace bowling has improved significantly:

Fazalhaq Farooqi has developed into Afghanistan’s premier pace bowler. His left-arm pace brings variety to the attack, and his ability to swing the new ball makes him particularly dangerous in the powerplay. Farooqi’s death bowling has also improved, making him a complete package.

Azmatullah Omarzai provides pace-bowling support with his seam bowling. His height allows him to extract extra bounce, making him effective on responsive surfaces.

Abdullah Ahmadzai adds depth to the pace attack, offering genuine pace and the ability to bowl in different phases of the innings.

Gulbadin Naib provides medium-pace options, particularly useful on slower wickets where his variations can be effective.

Reserve Players: Quality Backup Options

The three reserve players selected demonstrate Afghanistan’s growing depth:

AM Ghazanfar is an exciting young spinner who has impressed in domestic cricket. His inclusion as a reserve shows Afghanistan’s commitment to developing young talent while maintaining competitive depth.

Ijaz Ahmadzai provides batting backup with his explosive stroke-playing ability. His presence ensures Afghanistan has options if injury strikes their top-order batsmen.

Farid Ahmad Malik rounds out the reserves, offering additional bowling options should the need arise during the tournament.

Squad Balance and Strategy

Afghanistan’s squad selection reflects a well-balanced approach to T20 cricket:

Spin Dominance: With four specialist spinners in the main squad, Afghanistan will look to exploit conditions favorable to spin bowling. Their strategy typically involves using spinners for extended spells, particularly during the middle overs where they can control the game.

All-Round Options: The inclusion of multiple all-rounders like Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Gulbadin Naib provides flexibility in team composition and allows Afghanistan to maintain balance regardless of playing conditions.

Youth and Experience Mix: The squad beautifully blends experienced campaigners like Nabi and Naib with young talents like Sediqullah Atal and Noor Ahmad, ensuring both stability and fresh energy.

Batting Depth: With genuine batting options down to number eight or nine, Afghanistan can play aggressive cricket knowing they have depth to fall back on.

Key Players to Watch

Rashid Khan – The Talisman

Rashid Khan carries the weight of expectations as both captain and premier bowler. His performances will be crucial to Afghanistan’s success. Beyond his bowling, Rashid’s lower-order hitting has won matches for Afghanistan, making him a genuine all-rounder.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz – The Explosive Opener

Rahmanullah Gurbaz has the ability to take games away from opponents single-handedly. His aggressive batting in the powerplay sets the tone for Afghanistan’s innings, and his wicket-keeping skills add value to the team composition.

Fazalhaq Farooqi – The Pace Spearhead

As Afghanistan’s leading pace bowler, Fazalhaq Farooqi will be crucial in providing early breakthroughs and defending totals in the death overs. His left-arm angle offers variety that complements the spin attack perfectly.

Noor Ahmad – The Rising Star

Young Noor Ahmad represents Afghanistan’s future in spin bowling. His fearless approach and wicket-taking ability make him an exciting prospect who could be the difference in tight matches.

Tournament Expectations and Prospects

Afghanistan enters the T20 World Cup 2026 with realistic ambitions of reaching the semi-finals and potentially beyond. Their squad possesses the quality to compete against any team in world cricket, particularly in conditions that favor spin bowling.

Strengths:

World-class spin bowling attack
Explosive batting lineup capable of posting big totals
Experienced core of players with franchise cricket exposure
Excellent fielding standards

Challenges:

Consistency in high-pressure knockout matches
Maintaining performance levels throughout the tournament
Handling pace bowling on faster wickets
Managing expectations and pressure

Historical Context

Afghanistan’s journey in T20 cricket has been remarkable. From Associate nation status to competing against the world’s best, their rise has been meteoric. Previous T20 World Cup campaigns have seen them defeat established teams and come agonizingly close to knockout stage qualification. The 2026 squad represents their strongest lineup yet, with players having gained invaluable experience in leagues worldwide.

Training and Preparation

Leading up to the T20 World Cup 2026, Afghanistan has focused on intensive preparation, including bilateral series and training camps. The team management, led by Rashid Khan, has emphasized fitness, fielding, and death-over execution – areas identified as requiring improvement.

The exposure gained by players in various franchise leagues, including the IPL where players like Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Fazalhaq Farooqi regularly feature, has enhanced their skill sets and mental toughness.

Playing XI Prediction

Based on current form and team balance, Afghanistan’s likely playing XI might feature:

This combination provides batting depth until number eight, five specialist bowling options with a sixth in Naib, and the explosive wicket-keeping skills of Gurbaz.

Impact of Franchise Cricket Experience

Afghanistan’s players have gained significant experience in various T20 leagues globally. Rashid Khan has been a mainstay in the IPL, BBL, CPL, and multiple other leagues, making him one of the most sought-after T20 cricketers. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi have also featured prominently in franchise cricket.

This exposure has been invaluable, allowing Afghan players to:

Learn from international teammates and coaches
Experience high-pressure situations regularly
Understand different playing conditions worldwide
Develop tactical awareness and game intelligence

Team Chemistry and Unity

One of Afghanistan’s greatest strengths lies in their team unity and fighting spirit. Despite challenges off the field, the cricket team has remained remarkably cohesive. The bond between players like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, forged through years of playing together, translates into exceptional on-field chemistry.

This unity is particularly evident in their fielding, where players demonstrate exceptional commitment and support for one another. The celebrations after wickets showcase the genuine joy and camaraderie within the squad.

Conclusion

Afghanistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 represents their strongest and most balanced lineup to date. With a perfect blend of explosive batting, world-class spin bowling, improving pace options, and experienced leadership under Rashid Khan, the Afghan Lions are genuine contenders for the title.

The inclusion of exciting youngsters like Noor Ahmad and Sediqullah Atal alongside veterans like Mohammad Nabi creates a dynamic that could prove devastating for opponents. The reserve players provide quality backup options, ensuring Afghanistan maintains strength even if injuries occur.

As the tournament approaches, cricket fans worldwide will be watching Afghanistan closely. Their journey from cricketing minnows to genuine World Cup contenders is one of sport’s great stories, and the 2026 squad has the talent and determination to write the next glorious chapter in Afghan cricket history.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is the captain of Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad?

Rashid Khan has been appointed as the captain of Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. Widely regarded as one of the best T20 bowlers in the world, Rashid brings extensive leadership experience from franchise cricket leagues worldwide, making him the ideal choice to lead Afghanistan’s campaign.

2. How many players are in Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad?

Afghanistan has announced a 15-member main squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, supported by three reserve players: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai, and Farid Ahmad Malik. This brings the total traveling party to 18 players.

3. Who are Afghanistan’s main spin bowlers for the T20 World Cup 2026?

Afghanistan’s spin bowling attack features four specialist spinners: Rashid Khan (leg-spin), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (off-spin/mystery spin), Noor Ahmad (left-arm wrist spin), and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi (left-arm orthodox). This represents one of the strongest spin attacks in world cricket.

4. Who will open the batting for Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2026?

Afghanistan’s opening partnership is expected to feature Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. Gurbaz brings explosive power-hitting ability, while Zadran provides technical solidity and the ability to anchor innings. This combination offers both aggression and stability at the top of the order.

5. Who is Afghanistan’s premier pace bowler for the T20 World Cup 2026?

Fazalhaq Farooqi is Afghanistan’s leading pace bowler for the T20 World Cup 2026. The left-arm fast bowler has developed into a complete package, capable of swinging the new ball in the powerplay and executing yorkers in the death overs. His performances in franchise cricket have enhanced his reputation as one of Asia’s premier fast bowlers.

6. What is Afghanistan’s biggest strength going into the T20 World Cup 2026?

Afghanistan’s biggest strength is undoubtedly their world-class spin bowling attack led by Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad. This trio can bowl in tandem and control matches through the middle overs, making run-scoring extremely difficult for opposition batsmen. Their ability to take wickets regularly while maintaining economical rates gives Afghanistan a significant advantage.

7. How many all-rounders are in Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad?

Afghanistan has selected three primary all-rounders: Mohammad Nabi (batting all-rounder/off-spin), Azmatullah Omarzai (pace-bowling all-rounder), and Gulbadin Naib (batting all-rounder/medium pace). This provides excellent balance and flexibility in team selection, allowing Afghanistan to adjust their combination based on playing conditions.

8. Are there any new faces in Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad?

While the squad predominantly features experienced players, Sediqullah Atal represents one of the exciting young talents who has forced his way into the squad through consistent domestic performances and impressive showings in international cricket. The reserve players, particularly AM Ghazanfar, also represent Afghanistan’s emerging talent pool.

9. What are Afghanistan’s realistic chances in the T20 World Cup 2026?

Afghanistan enters the T20 World Cup 2026 with genuine ambitions of reaching the semi-finals and potentially winning the tournament. Their squad possesses world-class quality, particularly in spin bowling, and several players have extensive experience in high-pressure situations through franchise cricket. While challenges remain, particularly against strong pace bowling attacks on faster wickets, Afghanistan has the talent and team spirit to compete with any nation.

10. Who is the wicketkeeper in Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad?

Rahmanullah Gurbaz serves as Afghanistan’s primary wicketkeeper for the T20 World Cup 2026. In addition to his excellent glovework behind the stumps, Gurbaz is also one of Afghanistan’s most explosive batsmen, typically opening the innings. His dual role as wicketkeeper-opener allows Afghanistan to include an additional specialist batsman or bowler in the playing XI, enhancing team balance.