Last edition’s semi-finalists Afghanistan have announced the squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Allrounder Rashid Khan will lead a strong Afghanistan side in the Twenty20 World Cup next year.
Seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi and off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman have returned for the marquee tournament set for February-March.
Allrounder Gulbadin Naib and seamer Naveen-ul-Haq also found places in the 15-member squad for the 20-team tournament that will be played in India and Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan reached the semi-finals of the last World Cup in 2022, registering victories against fancied sides including New Zealand, West Indies and Australia.
The same side will play a three-match T20 series against the West Indies in the United Arab Emirates next month.
“Afghanistan had a terrific run in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup,” Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Naseeb Khan said in a statement on Wednesday.
“We cherish excellent memories from the past and hope for even better results this year, which will be played in Asian conditions.
“Hosting the West Indies team provides us with an incredible opportunity to fine tune our combination and prepare adequately for the World Cup.”
Afghanistan will begin their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on February 8 in Chennai.
Afghanistan squad: Rashid Khan (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Ishaq, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai
2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Australia’s Group Stage fixtures
February 11: v Ireland, R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (8:30pm AEDT)
February 13: v Zimbabwe, R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (4:30pm AEDT)
February 16: v Sri Lanka, Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy (Feb 17, 12:30am AEDT)
February 20: v Oman, Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy (Feb 21, 12:30am AEDT)
Australia’s Super Eight fixtures
(Assuming all seeded teams qualify)
February 23: Australia (X2) v West Indies (X3), Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (Feb 24, 12:30am AEDT)
February 26: India (X1) v Australia (X2), MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (Feb 27, 12:30am AEDT)
March 1: Australia (X2) v South Africa (X4), Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, 8:30pm AEDT
Click here for the full tournament schedule
All matches will be broadcast on Amazon’s Prime Video
