Afghanistan announce squad for Sri Lanka white-ball series, Ibrahim Zadran replaces Rashid Khan as T20I captain

Rashid Khan has been removed as Afghanistan’s T20I captain, with Ibrahim Zadran set to take over the role. The announcement comes after the team’s disappointing T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.

Afghanistan have announced their squads for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka, with a significant leadership change in the T20I setup. The decision was confirmed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) as part of a broader strategic move following recent changes in the team management.

“In alignment with the ACB’s long-term strategic vision and following recent changes in our team management, including the appointment of a new head coach, we have made the thoughtful decision to transition the leadership within the T20I setup,” ACB Chief Selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil was quoted as saying The Hindu.  

Meanwhile, several players who were part of Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad have been left out, with no place for left arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq. The selectors have instead opted for a few fresh inclusions in the T20I squad.

“Top-order wicket-keeper batter Noor Rahman, the left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Sharafuddin Ashraf, and left-arm fast bowler Fareed Ahmad have been selected for the T20I squad. Additionally, Fareed Ahmad Malik makes his comeback to the ODI squad, while fast bowler Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi receives his maiden call-up for the ODI team,” the statement read.

Fast bowler Bilal Sami has retained his spot in the ODI squad after delivering an impressive performance in his previous outing against Bangladesh, where he claimed a five-wicket haul and earned the Player of the Match award. He has also been included in the reserves for the T20I squad.

With a new coach as well as the captain at the helm, Afghanistan will look to begin a fresh phase as they prepare for the white-ball contests against Sri Lanka.  

Afghanistan squad for Sri Lanka series

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.

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.