Naib, Naveen return in Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan squad for T20 World Cup 2026

New Delhi: Afghanistan have recalled Naveen-ul-Haq and Gulbadin Naib to the 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin in India and Sri Lanka on February 7.

Rashid Khan will lead the team while Ibrahim Zadran has been named his deputy, as per an official statement by the Afghanistan Cricket Board on Wednesday.

"A notable addition to the squad is Mujeeb Ur Rahman, which leads to AM Ghazanfar being placed in the reserve pool of players, alongside middle-order batter Ijaz Ahmadzai and promising young fast bowler Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi," Afghanistan Cricket Board said in a release.

Gulbadin and Naveen Ul Haq are both returning from injuries and will form a three-pronged pace attack alongside the experienced Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Naveen last played a T20I in December 2024 and comes into the squad after recovering from a shoulder injury. Mohammad Ishaq was another notable inclusion. The 20-year-old wicketkeeper has played just five T20Is, with his most recent outing coming in a one-off T20I against Qatar.

The same 15-member squad will also play against the West Indies ahead of the T20 World Cup in the UAE for a three-match T20I series.

Afghanistan are grouped in Pool D alongside New Zealand, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and Canada.

The Asian side will open its campaign against New Zealand in Chennai before travelling to Ahmedabad for the game against South Africa. The last two league games of Rashid's side will be against the UAE and Canada in Delhi and Chennai, respectively.

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Afghanistan squad: Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Ibrahim Zadran (VC), Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen Ul Haq, Mohammad Ishaq, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli

Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi