Afghanistan’s national cricket team has appointed Ibrahim Zadran as the new T20I captain, succeeding Rashid Khan. This change comes after a disappointing exit from the group stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Ibrahim Zadran’s Leadership Role
Zadran, a talented opening batter aged 24, will lead the team in his first series against Sri Lanka. The three-match T20I series is set to begin on March 13 in Sharjah. Zadran has previously captained Afghanistan in 11 T20I matches and is the team’s fourth highest run-scorer, accumulating 1,865 runs with an average of 33.30 and a strike rate of 114.83.
Ongoing Challenges
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is currently evaluating the feasibility of the series, as military conflicts have impacted airspace in the region. In light of these challenges, the ACB is in discussions with various stakeholders to assess whether the series can proceed as planned.
- The ACB aims to follow the originally scheduled dates for the series.
- If necessary, alternative venues and dates will be considered.
Coaching Changes
Alongside Zadran’s appointment, Richard Pybus has replaced Jonathan Trott as the head coach of the Afghanistan team. Pybus will oversee both the upcoming T20I series and the subsequent ODI series against Sri Lanka in Dubai.
Squad Updates
Several changes have been made to the squad since the T20 World Cup. Key players such as Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, and Mohammad Ishaq have been omitted from the T20I roster. New additions include:
- Noor ul Rahman – uncapped wicketkeeper-batter
- Sharafuddin Ashraf – left-arm spin allrounder
- Fareed Malik – left-arm seamer
Hashmatullah Shahidi retains his role as the ODI captain, supported by Rahmat Shah as vice-captain. Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi has been included in the ODI squad following his recent performance in the T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan’s Upcoming Series
The T20I series against Sri Lanka marks a significant moment for Zadran’s leadership. As the team looks to rebuild, the support of the cricket community and stakeholders will be vital for success. The Afghanistan cricket team aims to navigate the challenges ahead while striving for excellence on the international stage.
Full Squadron Lists
| T20I Squad | ODI Squad |
|---|---|
| Ibrahim Zadran (capt) | Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt) |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) | Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) |
| Noor Rahman (wk) | Ikram Alikhil (wk) |
| Sediqullah Atal | Ibrahim Zadran |
| Darwish Rasooli | Sediqullah Atal |
| Shahidullah Kamal | Darwish Rasooli |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | Azmatullah Omarzai |
| Mohammad Nabi | Mohammad Nabi |
| Sharafuddin Ashraf | Rashid Khan |
| Rashid Khan | Nangyal Kharoti |
| Noor Ahmad | AM Ghazanfar |
| Muijeb Ur Rahman | Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi |
| Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi | Fareed Ahmad Malik |
| Fareed Ahmad Malik | Bilal Sami |
| Abdullah Ahmadzai | Reserves: Qais Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Bashir Ahmad |
As Afghanistan prepares for the upcoming series, it remains focused on reclaiming its place in international cricket.
