New Delhi: Rashid Khan was removed as the T20I captain of Afghanistan, with his deputy Ibrahim Zadran set to take charge from the white-ball series against Sri Lanka. Afghanistan failed to qualify for the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup 2026, losing two group-stage matches.
Left-arm fast bowler Fazal Haq Farooqi, all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq, who were part of the T20 World Cup 2026 squad, have also been dropped.
Chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said in a statement that Rashid Khan’s captaincy tenure in the T20I format brought immense success to the side. Under his leadership, Afghanistan reached in the semifinals of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
“Ibrahim Zadran, who has served as Rashid Khan’s deputy, will assume the role as Afghanistan’s regular captain in this format. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rashid Khan for his valuable contributions and wish Ibrahim Zadran every success in this important new role,” said chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil in a statement.
Wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman, bowling all-rounder Sharafuddin Ashraf and left-arm fast bowler Fareed Ahmad have got maiden T20I call-ups, while Fareed Ahmad Malik made a comeback to the ODI squad. Bilal Sami, who picked up a fifer and won the Player of the Match award in his last ODI appearance, retains his spot in the 50-over squad.
Afghanistan squads for white-ball series vs Sri Lanka
T20I squad: Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Noor Rahman (WK), 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.
Reserves: Nangyal Kharoti, Bilal Sami, and Ijaz Ahmadzai.
ODI squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), 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.
Reserves: Qais Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi, and Bashir Ahmad.