Afghanistan Cricket Board’s National Selection Committee on Wednesday (December 31) announced squad for the upcoming T20I series against the West Indies and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

Before the global T20 event, Afghanistan will face the West Indies in a three-match T20I series, which will be played in the UAE from January 19 to 22.

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 wicketkeeper-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-member squad for both the West Indies 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.

“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,” Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, ACB’s chief selector, said in a statement.

He added, “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.

Afghanistan, placed in Group D of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 alongside New Zealand, South Africa, UAE and Canada, will open their campaign against the Kiwis on February 8 in Chennai.