Spinner Rashid Khan to lead Afghanistan in Twenty20 World Cup

KABUL (AFP): Ace spinner Rashid Khan will lead a strong Afghanistan squad announced on Wednesday for next year’s Twenty20 World Cup.

Rashid’s spin partner Mujeeb Ur Rahman and fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi have also been recalled to the 15-member squad for the tournament in India and Sri Lanka.

Also returning after a shoulder injury is fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, who last played in a T20I for Afghanistan against Zimbabwe in December 2024.

Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Naseeb Khan said the team can improve on their semi-final finish in the last World Cup in the United States and West Indies two years ago.

“Afghanistan had a terrific run in the previous T20I World Cup and we hope for even better results this year, which will be played in Asian conditions,” Naseeb said in a statement.

Afghanistan beat New Zealand, West Indies, Australia and Bangladesh on their way to the semi-finals two years ago.

They will play West Indies in a three-match T20I lead-up series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ahead of the World Cup.

Rashid’s side is placed in Group D alongside New Zealand, South Africa, the UAE and Canada in the 20-team tournament that starts in India and Sri Lanka from February 7.

Afghanistan start their campaign against New Zealand in Chennai on February 8.

Squad: Rashid Khan (captain), Ibrahim Zadran, 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