Afghanistan Cricket Board Makes Leadership Change
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially named Ibrahim Zadran as the new captain of the national T20I team. The announcement came on Thursday (March 5) alongside the unveiling of Afghanistan’s squads for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka.
The leadership change follows Afghanistan’s disappointing campaign in the recent T20 World Cup, where the team failed to reach the Super Eights stage. As a result, the ACB had been considering adjustments in leadership, and with the Sri Lanka series just around the corner, the board decided to move forward with a new captain.
Zadran, who previously served as the vice-captain in T20 Internationals, now steps into the role previously held by star all-rounder Rashid Khan.
Rashid Khan Relieved of Captaincy Duties
Rashid Khan, widely regarded as one of Afghanistan’s greatest cricketers and among the top T20 bowlers in the world, had led the team in multiple global tournaments. However, the team’s recent struggles in major ICC events prompted the board to reconsider its leadership structure.
The decision to appoint Zadran signals the beginning of a new phase for Afghanistan’s T20 side. While Rashid remains a crucial part of the squad, the leadership responsibilities will now fall on the young top-order batter, who has been a consistent performer for the team in recent years.
Squad Changes for Sri Lanka Series
Along with the captaincy change, the ACB has introduced several personnel adjustments in both the ODI and T20I squads for the Sri Lanka series.
Three players who were part of Afghanistan’s recent T20 World Cup campaign — Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, and Mohammad Ishaq — have not been included in either squad for the upcoming series. Their absence indicates a shift in team strategy as the selectors look to refresh the lineup.
In the T20I squad, the selectors have brought in some fresh faces, including:
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Top-order wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman
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Left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Sharafuddin Ashraf
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Left-arm fast bowler Fareed Ahmad
Fareed Ahmad Malik has also earned a recall to the ODI squad, strengthening Afghanistan’s pace options for the longer white-ball format.
New Opportunity for Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi
Another notable development is the inclusion of Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi in the ODI squad for the first time. The young player impressed during the T20 World Cup, where he featured in three of Afghanistan’s four matches.
His maiden ODI call-up reflects the selectors’ intention to gradually build a broader talent pool as Afghanistan prepares for upcoming international tournaments.
Afghanistan’s T20I Squad
The squad for the three-match T20I series is led by Ibrahim Zadran and includes several experienced and emerging players.
T20I Squad:
Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Noor Rahman (wicketkeeper), 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.
Afghanistan’s ODI Squad
For the ODI format, Hashmatullah Shahidi continues as captain with Rahmat Shah serving as vice-captain.
ODI Squad:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah (vice-captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), 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.
Series Schedule Against Sri Lanka
Afghanistan will face Sri Lanka in a white-ball series featuring three T20 Internationals followed by three One-Day Internationals.
The T20I matches are scheduled for March 13, 15, and 17, while the ODI series will take place on March 20, 22, and 25. The matches are planned to be held in Sharjah and Dubai, two venues frequently used by Afghanistan as their neutral home grounds.
Regional Situation Under Observation
The ACB also confirmed that it is closely monitoring the geopolitical situation in the Gulf region, which could potentially impact the series schedule.
In an official statement, the board said it is in continuous discussions with stakeholders, including venue authorities and the Emirates Cricket Board, to ensure the series can proceed safely as planned.
For now, Afghanistan’s initial intention is to stick to the original dates and venues. However, the board has indicated that alternative arrangements may be considered if circumstances change.
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A New Chapter for Afghanistan Cricket
The appointment of Ibrahim Zadran marks an important step in Afghanistan’s evolving cricket journey. With a blend of experienced players and emerging talent in the squad, the team will aim to rebuild momentum and strengthen its performance in global tournaments.
As the Sri Lanka series approaches, all eyes will be on Zadran as he begins his tenure as T20I captain and attempts to guide Afghanistan into a new era of white-ball cricket.