🇦🇫 Afghanistan Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Full Team List & Key Players
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, featuring 20 teams and 55 matches. Afghanistan, one of the most improved sides in world cricket, enters the tournament with confidence under the leadership of Rashid Khan. Their spin-dominant attack, fearless batting approach, and rising young talent make them a genuine threat in Group D.
After consistent performances in global events, Afghanistan now aims to push beyond the group stage and make a deeper impact in subcontinental conditions that perfectly suit their style of play.
🇦🇫 Afghanistan Likely Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rashid Khan (C) | Captain / All-Rounder |
| 2 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 3 | Ibrahim Zadran | Batter |
| 4 | Darwish Rasooli | Batter |
| 5 | Sediqullah Atal | Batter |
| 6 | Azmatullah Omarzai | All-Rounder |
| 7 | Karim Janat | All-Rounder |
| 8 | Mohammad Nabi | All-Rounder |
| 9 | Gulbadin Naib | All-Rounder |
| 10 | Noor Ahmad | Bowler (Left-arm spin) |
| 11 | Mujeeb ur Rahman | Bowler (Off-spin) |
| 12 | AM Ghazanfar | Bowler (Spinner) |
| 13 | Farid Ahmad Malik | Bowler (Left-arm pace) |
| 14 | Fazalhaq Farooqi | Bowler (Left-arm pace) |
| 15 | Naveen-ul-Haq | Bowler (Right-arm pace) |
Final 15 to be confirmed by Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) before the tournament.
Leadership & Team Management
- Captain: Rashid Khan
- Head Coach: Jonathan Trott (expected)
Rashid Khan brings leadership, experience, and T20 expertise, while the spin trio of Mujeeb, Nabi, and Noor Ahmad provides Afghanistan with a lethal bowling arsenal. Gurbaz and Zadran anchor the batting lineup, ensuring a solid foundation.
Afghanistan’s Group – ICC T20 World Cup 2026
| Team | Qualification Path |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | ICC Men’s T20I Rankings |
| South Africa | Top 7 finish – T20 World Cup 2024 |
| Afghanistan | Top 7 finish – T20 World Cup 2024 |
| Canada | Americas Qualifier |
| United Arab Emirates | Asia / EAP Qualifier |
Afghanistan Group Stage Matches – T20 WC 2026
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (Local / GMT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Feb 8, 2026 | New Zealand vs Afghanistan | Chennai – MA Chidambaram Stadium | 11:00 AM IST / 05:30 GMT |
| Wed, Feb 11, 2026 | South Africa vs Afghanistan | Ahmedabad – Narendra Modi Stadium | 11:00 AM IST / 05:30 GMT |
| Mon, Feb 16, 2026 | Afghanistan vs UAE | Delhi – Arun Jaitley Stadium | 11:00 AM IST / 05:30 GMT |
| Thu, Feb 19, 2026 | Afghanistan vs Canada | Chennai – MA Chidambaram Stadium | 07:00 PM IST / 13:30 GMT |
Predicted Playing XI
| Position | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 2 | Ibrahim Zadran | Opening Batter |
| 3 | Rashid Khan (C) | Middle-Order Batsman / All-Rounder |
| 4 | Darwish Rasooli | Middle-Order Batsman |
| 5 | Sediqullah Atal | Middle-Order Batsman |
| 6 | Mohammad Nabi | All-Rounder |
| 7 | Azmatullah Omarzai | All-Rounder |
| 8 | Noor Ahmad | Spinner |
| 9 | Mujeeb ur Rahman | Spinner |
| 10 | Fazalhaq Farooqi | Fast Bowler |
| 11 | Naveen-ul-Haq | Fast Bowler |
Bench Strength: Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, AM Ghazanfar, Farid Ahmad Malik
Team Strengths & Key Analysis
1. World-Class Spin Attack
Afghanistan’s biggest weapon remains their elite spin trio — Rashid, Mujeeb, Noor — perfectly suited for Indian pitches.
2. Explosive Opening Pair
Gurbaz and Zadran consistently give attacking starts and form one of the most stable T20 opening combinations.
3. All-Round Depth
Omarzai, Nabi, Janat, and Naib offer crucial lower-order stability and bowling options.
4. Improved Pace Line-Up
Farooqi and Naveen provide good new-ball swing and strong death-overs control.
Afghanistan’s Road to Glory
Afghanistan continues to rise as a T20 powerhouse. Their consistency in global tournaments, ability to dominate with spin, and fearless brand of cricket make them dark horses in Group D. With favorable conditions in India, 2026 could be a breakthrough World Cup for them.
Final Word
The Afghanistan squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is a perfect mix of youth, experience, and match-winning talent. With Rashid Khan leading from the front, fans can expect aggressive cricket, close contests, and a team hungry to create history.
Stay tuned for updates once ACB announces the official squad.