Afghanistan have announced their squad for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka starting on March 13, with a major leadership change in the T20I side.
Ibrahim Zadran has been appointed the new T20I captain, taking over from Rashid Khan as Afghanistan begin a new phase under recently appointed head coach Richard Pybus.
Afghanistan Cricket Board chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil praised Rashid’s leadership, highlighting the team’s impressive run to the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup before confirming the decision to transition leadership as part of the board’s long-term strategy.
The move follows Afghanistan’s disappointing campaign in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 where the team exited at the group stage, while Sri Lanka were knocked out in the Super 8s.
There are also notable changes in the squad, with Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Ishaq missing out after featuring in the T20 World Cup.
Top-order wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman, spinning all-rounder Sharafuddin Ashraf and left-arm pacer Fareed Ahmad have been included in the squad.
In the ODI setup, Fareed Ahmad Malik returns to the side while fast bowler Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi has earned his maiden call-up.
The tour will also feature three ODIs beginning on March 20 as both teams start preparations for next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
T20I squad: Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Noor Rahman, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, and Abdullah Ahmadzai.
ODI squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ikram Alikhil, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, and Bilal Sami.
