Afghanistan have named a 15-member squad for a three-match Twenty20 International series against the West Indies and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said on Wednesday.
The West Indies series will be played in the United Arab Emirates from Jan. 19 to 22 and will serve as Afghanistan’s final preparation ahead of the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Rashid Khan will captain the side, with Ibrahim Zadran named vice-captain. The squad includes the returning all-rounder Gulbadin Naib and fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, who is back after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman also returns to the main squad, while teenage off-spinner AM Ghazanfar has been named among the reserves. Fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi, who missed most of Afghanistan’s recent series against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, has also been included.
Left-handed batter Shahidullah Kamal and wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq retained their places, while young fast bowler Abdullah Ahmadzai earned a spot in the main squad.
ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan said the West Indies series would be crucial preparation for the global tournament.
“Afghanistan had a strong run in the previous T20 World Cup, and playing in Asian conditions again gives us confidence,” Khan said in a statement. “Facing West Indies will help us fine-tune combinations before the World Cup.”
Chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said selecting the final squad had been challenging.
“It was a difficult decision to leave AM Ghazanfar out of the main squad to accommodate Mujeeb,” he said. “Gulbadin’s return strengthens the team, and Naveen’s availability improves our fast-bowling unit.”
Afghanistan have been placed in Group D of the T20 World Cup alongside New Zealand, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Canada. They will open their campaign against New Zealand in Chennai on Feb. 8.
Afghanistan squad:
Rashid Khan (captain), Ibrahim Zadran (vice-captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Ishaq, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai.
Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Zia-ur-Rahman Sharifi.
West Indies T20I series (UAE):
Jan. 19 – First T20I
Jan. 21 – Second T20I
Jan. 22 – Third T20I
T20 World Cup group matches:
Feb. 8 – vs New Zealand (Chennai)
Feb. 11 – vs South Africa (Ahmedabad)
Feb. 16 – vs UAE (Delhi)
Feb. 19 – vs Canada (Chennai)
